Assistant Director of Law

SUMMARY:  An Assistant Director of Law provides professional legal services for the City of Cleveland Heights, its boards, commissions, officers, and departments.

.ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assistant Director of Law provides sophisticated legal counsel and representation to the City and its officials, boards and commissions which may include the handling of civil matters, legal research, preparation of legislation, preparation and review of contracts, labor and employment issues, public records response, administrative appeals, litigation including court representation in municipal, state, and federal courts, and other duties as assigned.   Some prosecution/criminal matters may be involved but are not the primary focus.  In addition, the Assistant Director of Law participates in researching, reviewing and developing City policies and procedures.  Experience with land use/planning/zoning, economic development, real estate transactions, and/or housing and other code enforcement is preferred. This list of duties and responsibilities is not comprehensive and is for purposes of illustration only.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES:

Assists with supervision of departmental office staff.

Knowledge of:

• Ohio municipal law, Home Rule, municipal charters, tort immunity/ORC Chapter 2744, qualified immunity/Section 1983.
• Administrative/ORC Chapter 2506 appeals.
• Open meetings and public records laws.
• Court and administrative agency procedures, including pleading requirements, discovery practice, rules of court, and evidentiary rules.
• Ethical and other Rules of Professional Conduct that regulate the practice of law and public officials.
• Legal research and writing and associated software (Microsoft Office; Lexis-Nexis; etc.)

Ability to:

• Quickly analyze City legal issues, which are often complex and technical, and render competent and practical professional legal advice.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Represent the City in administrative and judicial proceedings at the administrative, trial, and appellate level.
• Prepare appropriate pleadings, motions, legal briefs and other documents in litigation matters.
• Draft and present persuasive legal arguments during presentations and in memoranda, correspondence, and written submissions to courts and agencies.
• Draft a wide variety of legal documents including contracts, deeds, mortgages, and ordinances and resolutions of Council. 
• Work well under pressure, with the ability to manage a substantial workload subject to short deadlines.
• Demonstrate initiative and independence while complying with departmental expectations and policies.
• Establish and maintain cooperative professional relationships as a member of the Law Department team and within City Hall. 
• Interact professionally and respectfully with City officials, coworkers, office support staff, outside agencies and attorneys, and the general public.
• Provide general direction to support staff.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

J.D.; minimum three (3) years of prior experience in a municipal or other public sector law department or representation of public entities.

CERTIFICATION/ LICENSURE

Ohio Bar license in good standing; admission to practice before the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, may be required. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.  Limited remote work may be permitted, subject to prior approval; however, the position requires regular and substantial physical presence in the Law Department.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT Position involves work that is typically performed inside an office or similar setting and does not typically expose the employee to adverse environmental conditions.