Assistant City Attorney or Senior Assistant City Attorney

The Office of the City Attorney for the City of Rockville, Maryland, is accepting applications for a permanent full-time Assistant City Attorney (salary range $107,629 - $177,586).  The position may, however, be filled at the Senior Assistant City Attorney level (salary range $113,010 - $186,466), depending on experience and qualifications.  This position involves the provision of legal advice to designated City boards, commissions, departments, and divisions.  Work is performed with latitude for independent professional action and decision but is subject to the direct supervision of the Deputy City Attorney and the general supervision of the City Attorney.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  The job functions listed below are representative of the duties associated with this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

• Advises the City Attorney, City staff, and City boards, commissions, departments, and divisions, as assigned, on local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to municipal operations.
• Conducts legal research and analysis of legal issues; interprets and applies statutes, ordinances, case law and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions (both written and oral), memoranda, and court pleadings.
• Negotiates, drafts, reviews, interprets, and approves for legal sufficiency contracts, leases, bonds, bids, easements, deeds, covenants, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents.
• Represents the Mayor and Council of Rockville in lawsuits before Federal and State courts and in administrative hearings, including enforcement actions; and prosecutes municipal infractions.
• Develops a thorough understanding of the programs and legal and administrative obligations of assigned City boards, commissions, and departments; performs trainings for designated boards, commissions, and departments.
• Advises public officials and City staff on legal issues arising out of proposed legislation; drafts and reviews legislative bills, resolutions, ordinances, and regulations; analyzes documents for legal and policy consequences; makes recommendations regarding legal issues affecting the City.
• Attends meetings of public bodies and advises them on legal issues. 
• Performs other related duties as required.

About the Office of the City Attorney:

• Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible work as a practicing attorney, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Admission to the Maryland State Bar.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience interpreting and applying local or state procurement laws; civil litigation experience, including enforcement actions on behalf of a governmental entity; and will have knowledge of Maryland law pertaining to the operations, authority, and responsibilities of municipal government.  

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to understand and analyze legal facts and materials and to present logical and persuasive conclusions from that analysis.
• Ability to prepare and present witnesses and evidence in State and County courts.
• Ability to conduct thorough legal research using Westlaw or other online legal research sources.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, report progress, recognize need for assistance from others, and propose solutions for problems.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective, courteous, and responsive working relationships with City staff.
• Ability to effectively access and use computerized systems and equipment.

Application Process:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without any consideration of political or religious affiliation or belief, race, color, sex, age, family status, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  The City of Rockville is an Equal Employment Opportunity / ADA Compliant Employer.

Applicants will need to complete the online application, provide complete answers to the questions in the Supplemental Questionnaire, and upload a cover letter and resume.