Attorney I

The City of Peoria is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The City of Peoria is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

JOB TITLE:                   Attorney I

DEPARTMENT:             Legal

LOCATION:                  419 Fulton Street, Room 403, Peoria, Illinois

HOURS:                        8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Monday through Friday

Provides legal representation for the city on simple to moderately complex legal matters, including administrative hearings, ordinance enforcement, and litigation. This is accomplished by attending administrative and court hearings, conducting witness examinations and cross-examinations, preparing cases for trial, and engaging in civil discovery. The role also involves staffing boards and commissions for liquor, zoning, and other city activities, as well as contract review and negotiation. Additionally, responsibilities include presenting continuing education materials on legal issues for legal staff, police department personnel, and other departments, along with occasional attendance and presentations to the city council.

Litigation:

• Drafting or reviewing complaints, motions, notices, and responsive pleadings; preparing and presenting witness testimony; drafting briefs; developing and executing litigation strategies; conducting legal research on principles and precedent; communicating litigation strategies to city officials; negotiating settlements; attending court and administrative proceedings; and crafting and advancing enforcement actions.

Contract Drafting:

• Drafting and reviewing contracts for city departments; collaborating with management staff on lease terms; assisting with service agreements; facilitating intergovernmental agreements and drafting and reviewing purchase agreements.

Administrative Responsibility:

• Monitoring staff processes and workflows on final orders and judgments to ensure timely collections through collection agencies, local debt recovery programs, or filing of liens and memoranda of judgments; overseeing debt collection efforts to ensure closure of enforcement actions at the conclusion of cases; and reporting debt collection outcomes.

Drafting Ordinances and Resolutions:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, supplemented with a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university and license to practice law in the State of Illinois is required.
 
Preferences:
- Ability to meet the transportation requirements of the job
- Comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Work is performed primarily in an office setting with occasional field work.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

• Nearly Continuously: Sitting and Vision
• Often: Computer Keyboard, telephone keypad
• Frequently:  Hearing and Talking
• Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

• Knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.
• Ability to read literature, books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.
• Ability to deal with a system of real numbers; and practical application of fractions, percentages, rations/proportions and measurement.
• Ability to write editorials, journals, speeches, manuals , or critiques.