Assistant City Attorney

City of Galveston, Texas; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Galveston, Texas seeks an attorney to provide a variety of legal services under the direction of the City Attorney, including litigation. Work is performed with general discretion, working from broad goals and policies.

The role involves representing the City in Municipal Court of Record in civil and criminal matters, advising elected officials and departments, drafting ordinances and contracts, and performing legal research using Westlaw or Lexis.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the State Bar of Texas before or at application.
• Two years’ experience with a state or local governmental entity preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent the City in Municipal Court of Record in civil and criminal matters.
• Represent the City in civil service matters.
• Represent City in trials in District or County Courts as first or second chair.
• Advise elected officials, boards, commissions, and City departments.
• Prepare/review ordinances, resolutions, and administrative policies.
• Prepare/review city contracts, including construction and real estate documents.

Skills

Litigation

Legal Counsel

Contract Review

Research Westlaw

Written Communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Westlaw/Lexis

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

An island community rich in history and opportunity, Galveston is the ideal place to live, work and raise a family!

Job Description

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the City Attorney, assist in providing a variety of legal services including litigation. Work is performed with general discretion, working from broad goals and policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Represent the City in its Municipal Court of Record in civil and criminal matters;
• Represent the City in matters arising or pertaining to civil service;
• Represent the City in trial before the District or County Courts as either first or second chair in matters of civil litigation to which the City is a party;
• Provide legal counsel to elected and appointed officials, boards, commissions, committees and City departments based on interpretation of federal, state, and city laws constitutions and charters, court decisions, administrative law decisions, and other legal authorities. Attend meetings of the City Council, boards and commissions, as assigned by the City Attorney;
• Prepare and/or review ordinances, resolutions, and administrative policies;
• Prepare and/or review various city contracts, including construction contracts, real estate transaction documents and other pertinent document creation or review;
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally;
• Ability to handle citizens with diplomacy, fairness, and sound judgment;
• Ability to conduct computer based legal research utilizing Westlaw, Lexis or other legal research databases;
• Critical thinking to analyze issues and apply appropriate legal principles;
• Understanding and applying city policies and procedures, while exercising the highest degree of confidentiality;
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with all departments of the City.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Requisite experience and training to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to use standard office equipment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, as well as Adobe Acrobat.
• Legal research in Westlaw or similar database.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; admission to the State Bar of Texas, prior to application.

Two (2) years’ experience with a state or local governmental entity, preferably in the areas listed as essential functions.

Litigation experience in state of federal court including first chair experience in trying civil cases to a jury is a plus.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

• Possession of a Texas Driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment. May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds.

Compensation Range

DOQ

The City of Galveston is an equal opportunity employerand will consider only the qualifications of the applicants. The City does not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or physical/mental disability in employment or provision services.