Assistant City Attorney

City of Fort Myers; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fort Myers is seeking an Assistant City Attorney to provide high‑level legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and boards. Under the City Attorney, you will handle a broad range of litigation and local government matters, including state and federal court cases and administrative hearings.

This role requires significant litigation experience, strong knowledge of state and federal law, and the ability to draft ordinances, resolutions, and contracts while maintaining close

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree required.
• Licensed to practice law in Florida and active Florida Bar membership.
• At least five years of experience as a practicing attorney with prior litigation and government experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the City Attorney in meeting City Charter requirements.
• Handle all aspects of litigation in state and federal courts and administrative hearings.
• Provide comprehensive local government legal services to the Mayor, City Council, and City boards.
• Negotiate, draft, and review ordinances, resolutions, and contracts on behalf of the Mayor and City Council.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance in the workplace.
• Attend meetings as directed by the City Attorney.

Skills

Litigation experience

Civil procedure

Ordinance drafting

Public records law

Sunshine law

Government affairs

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Florida Bar license

5+ years of practice

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the City Attorney, this position provides highly skilled legal services and analytical support to the Mayor, City Counsil, and all City boards; handles litigation on behalf of the City of Fort Myers; and addresses general government legal matters assigned by the City Attorney.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation:

Essential Employees

may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

Non Essential Employees

will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee’s Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Assistant City Attorney has limited supervisory responsibility for the day-to-day workflow and performance of employees in the Office of the City Attorney.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Support the City Attorney in meeting City Charter requirements.


• Handle all aspects of litigation in state and federal courts and administrative hearings, including matters in which the City prosecutes or initiates litigation.


• Work and coordinate cooperatively with all city employees.


• Provide a high level of legal support to all elected officials and board members.


• Provide comprehensive local government legal services to the Mayor and City Council.


• Provide comprehensive local government legal services to City boards.


• Provide legal services concerning matters including the Public Records Law, Sunshine law, Labor and Employment Law, Procurement and Contract Law, Civil Rights Laws and other legal matters as assigned by the City Attorney.


• Negotiate, draft, and review ordinances and resolutions and contracts on behalf of the Mayor and City Council.


• Use knowledge of applicable state law and federal law and City ordinances and resolutions to provide highly effective legal representation.


• Maintain regular and reliable attendance and a physical presence in the workplace.


• Perform duties as assigned by the City Attorney.


• Attend meetings as directed by the City Attorney.


• Prepare written correspondence and reports.


• Conduct litigation as needed and resolve litigation disputes involving the City.


• Perform duties in compliance with the City Charter for the City of Fort Myers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Significant litigation experience.


• Knowledge of state and federal law and the rules of civil procedure.


• Knowledge of quasi-judicial proceedings.


• Ability to represent the Mayor, City Council, and City boards with diligence and a strong commitment to the City’s interests.


• Knowledge of all aspects of litigation, including trial practice and all aspects of legal discovery, with close attention to detail.


• Thorough knowledge of litigation strategies applicable to a governmental entity.


• Knowledge of City Code, City Charter, state and federal laws and regulations, court decisions, and other legal requirements applicable to municipal government functions and operations.


• Ability to use the principles, methods, and practices of legal research.


• Ability to draft legal documents and propose legislation, including ordinances, resolutions, and policies.


• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, the courts, and the public.


• Ability to apply all aspects of the Sunshine Law and Public Records Law.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctorate degree (J.D.).


• Licensed to practice law in Florida and a member in good standing of the Florida Bar.


• At least five years of experience as a practicing attorney with prior litigation and government experience.

CERTIFICATION, LICENSE AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

N/A.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.

(X = Required to perform essential job functions)

Physical Activities

Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching. X

Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.

Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility. X

Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction. X

Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.

Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers. X

Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine. X

Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely. X

Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips. X

Standing – for sustained periods of time. X

Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand. X

Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back. X

Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm. X

Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word X

Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand. X

Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.

Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information. X

Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading. X

Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.

Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.

Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees. X

Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures. X

Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.

Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.

Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning. X

Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.

Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.

Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site. X

TYPE OF WORK

Work performed is primarily:

[X] Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works in an office environment and sits for long periods of time.


• Contact with internal and external customers, vendors, outside agencies and the general public.


• May be required to work outside the regular schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.