Assistant City Attorney

Eagle Mountain City; Eagle Mountain (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Eagle Mountain City seeks a City Attorney to lead civil litigation and provide legal counsel to the city manager, mayor, and council. The role entails researching complex matters, drafting briefs, and representing the city in court proceedings.

The successful candidate will advise on policy development, negotiate contracts and ordinances, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws. A Utah license and strong public-sector experience are required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible legal experience; preferably in public sector.
• Active membership in the State Bar of Utah.
• Admission to practice before Utah State Courts and the U.S. District Court for Utah

Responsibilities

• Represents the city in prosecution of various civil cases; conducts extensive research, reviews investigation reports in civil matters; files formal complaints; prepares case materials; participates in examinations such as discovery and briefings; researches and writes briefs; appears in court and presents evidence and arguments.
• Serves as legal counsel to the city manager, mayor, city council, committees, and sub-committees; attends meetings; prepares and reviews legal documents; monitors city-wide activities for compliance with legal requirements.
• Assist in development of City policies; draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases, and other legal documents; provide legal advice to city boards and departments.
• Negotiates settlements of claims filed against the city; promotes timely settlement to avoid costly litigation.
• Reviews and updates city ordinances to ensure compliance with evolving law; aligns policy recommendations with city goals.

Skills

Legal research

Civil procedure knowledge

Written communication

Ordinances knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Active membership in State Bar of Utah

Admission to practice before Utah State Courts and the U.S. District Court for Utah

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs full performance duties as required to carry out the efficient and effective litigation of civil cases and ongoing legal processes of city government. Represents Eagle Mountain City in assigned legal matters.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under the general guidance of the City Attorney.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides supervision to the Legal Intern.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Promotes and follows the City's mission statement, values and expectations.

Assists in the general management of the department; oversees areas of specialization as assigned; monitors staff performance and participates in the regular review and evaluation.

Represents the city in prosecution of various civil cases; conducts extensive research, reviews investigation reports in civil matters; files formal complaints; prepares case materials; participates in various examination processes such as discovery and briefings; researches and writes briefs; appears in court and presents evidence and arguments.

Under the direction of the City Attorney, serves as legal counsel to the city manager, mayor, city council, committees, and sub-committees; attends various meetings as required; prepares and reviews legal documents; monitors and reviews city-wide activities in general to assure compliance with statutory and other legal requirements.

Assist in the development of City policies; draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases, and other legal documents; provide legal advice to City boards, committees, commissions, functional areas, departments, divisions, etc.

Negotiates settlements of claims filed against the city for actions arising out of the course of conducting city business or providing city services; promotes timely settlement to avoid costly litigation as much as is possible.

Reviews and updates city ordinances to assure compliance with evolving case law and amended state and federal laws; Assures policy recommendations are consistent with established city philosophy, goals and objectives.

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education and Experience:
2. A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university.

AND

1. Three (3) years of progressively responsible legal experience; preferably in public sector.

AND

1. Active membership in the State Bar of Utah.

AND

1. Admission to practice before Utah State Courts and the U.S. District Court for Utah
2. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws and ordinances; legal administrative procedures including the rules of civil procedure and evidence; the principles, methods, materials and practices used in legal research; Utah Code, constitutional provisions, federal and local ordinances as they apply to city government and its operation; case law related to a variety of city government subjects.

Some knowledge of fiscal management and budget development; principles of supervision and motivation.

Ability to analyze and draft legal documents and to propose legislation; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city and court officials, employees and the public; ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

1. Special Qualifications:

Must possess a license to practice law in the State of Utah.

1. Work Environment:

Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require variety of physical activities, not generally involving muscular strain. Essential functions normally require physical activities such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, and finger dexterity may be necessary. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Periodic travel required in normal course of job performance.