Assistant City Attorney

Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all.

Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career.

Play a key role in shaping the legal foundation of a growing, dynamic community. The City of Tumwater is seeking an Assistant City Attorney to join a collaborative and service-oriented team dedicated to supporting transparent, effective, and forward-thinking local government.

In this role, you’ll serve as a trusted legal advisor to the Mayor, City Administrator, City Council, and City departments, providing guidance on a wide range of municipal issues—from contracts, land use, and environmental law to risk management, public works, and procurement.

This position offers a unique balance of advisory work, problem-solving, and partnership. You’ll help City leaders navigate complex legal matters, draft and review legislation and contracts, and support projects that make a tangible difference in how the City serves its residents.

If you’re a skilled attorney who values teamwork, public service, and the opportunity to engage with diverse and challenging work, this role provides the chance to grow your legal career while contributing to a city that’s truly invested in its people and its future.

The Assistant City Attorney provides professional legal counsel, representation, and analysis to support the City’s operations, governance, and public service mission. Core responsibilities include the following functional areas:

Legal Counsel & Advisory Services

• Provide timely and accurate legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, boards, commissions, and departments on a wide range of municipal issues.
• Research, interpret, and apply federal, state, and municipal laws related to areas such as land use, building codes, environmental law, real estate, property rights, public/private partnerships, utilities, public works, procurement, labor and employment, public safety, finance, and code enforcement.
• Advise City staff on the implementation of new legislation and regulations, offering training and written guidance as needed.
• Support leadership decision-making through sound legal reasoning and practical risk assessment.

Research, Analysis & Policy Development

• Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to evaluate issues arising in the development and execution of City programs, projects, and policies.
• Draft clear and well-reasoned legal opinions, memoranda, and correspondence grounded in applicable law and public policy.
• Assist in policy formulation by identifying risks, outlining alternatives, and providing recommendations to enhance compliance and effectiveness.

Legislative & Meeting Participation

• Attend City Council, committee, board, commission, and staff meetings to provide real-time legal guidance and ensure procedural compliance.
• Communicate complex legal concepts clearly and confidently in both formal and informal settings.
• Remain responsive and available to assist elected officials and staff, sometimes on short notice or outside regular hours.

Document Preparation & Contracting

• Draft, review, and approve a broad range of legal documents including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, interlocal agreements, settlement documents, policies, and real estate instruments.
• Provide legal oversight and support on procurement and public works contracting, ensuring compliance with public bidding laws and best practices.
• Negotiate and enforce agreements to protect the City’s interests while promoting fair and efficient outcomes.

Litigation & Case Management

• Assist the City Attorney in managing outside counsel and oversee assigned litigation matters.
• Represent the City before the Hearing Examiner, administrative bodies, and other forums; may occasionally handle smaller civil cases not covered by insurance.
• Conduct discovery, prepare pleadings and briefs, and present oral arguments as needed.
• Develop and implement litigation strategies consistent with City policy and legal precedent.

Professional Development & Collaboration

• Maintain active membership with the Washington State Bar Association and meet all continuing legal education (CLE) requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the City Attorney’s Office and other departments to advance organizational goals, meet deadlines, and foster a supportive team environment.
• Serve as Acting City Attorney in the City Attorney’s absence, attending meetings and fulfilling related duties.
• Contribute to effective City operations by performing other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will bring a blend of technical legal expertise, sound judgment, and a collaborative mindset.

Legal Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and municipal laws, rules, and regulations affecting city government.
• Familiarity with civil and administrative law, including case management, litigation strategy, and legal research methods.
• Knowledge of municipal operations, governance structure, and public agency responsibilities.
• Proficiency in contract and procurement law, including public works, risk management, and land use matters.

Professional Skills

• Strong legal research and analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex statutes and apply them to real-world issues.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including preparing clear, concise legal documents, reports, and presentations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to frequent interruptions, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled in relationship-building and collaboration with elected officials, department leaders, and staff across the organization.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and ethical decision-making.
• Maintains confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
• Confident and poised in public meetings and presentations.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.
• Approaches work with curiosity, diplomacy, and a service-oriented mindset.

1. Graduate of an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
2. Currently licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Washington.
3. Minimum of 3 years of relevant municipal or other government experience.

• Experience working for a local government.
• Prior contract administration experience, including an in-depth knowledge of procurement laws and regulations, and contract negotiations.
• Prior land use and administrative hearing experience.
• Prior risk management experience, including in-depth knowledge of insurance and risk program administration.

Contacts: The Assistant City Attorney has significant, daily contact with a variety of city departments and staff for the purpose of information sharing and providing legal counsel. Contacts require the communication of abstract legal concepts to persons with varying degrees of legal sophistication. Some contacts may be challenging in nature, requiring the exercise of persuasion and arbitration skills. 

Supervision: Supervision is received from the City Attorney as needed. Work is performed under limited supervision. The City Attorney sets the overall objectives and resources available. The Assistant City Attorney and City Attorney work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. The Assistant City Attorney is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignments, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in line with established objectives. The Assistant City Attorney keeps the City Attorney informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, and effectiveness of results. 

Accountability: The Assistant City Attorney, under the supervision of the City Attorney, is accountable for the provision of comprehensive and effective legal service to the City. Decisions and recommendations have significant influence on decisions made by staff.

Working Conditions: Positions in this class perform work predominantly under normal office working conditions. Considerable time working at a computer station is a regular part of the job. No heavy lifting without assistance is required. Regular attendance is an essential duty, including some evening and weekend hours to attend meetings. 

Flexible/Hybrid Working: This position may be eligible for flexible/hybrid working only after successful completion of the probationary period and is subject to the City Attorney’s approval of such request, departmental and City operational needs and is subject to change. Once hired, employee must live in the State of Washington.

The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
  
The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.