Assistant City Attorney

City of Galveston; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Galveston seeks a qualified attorney to provide a variety of legal services, including litigation, under the City Attorney. The role involves advising elected officials, boards, and departments and drafting city ordinances and contracts.

The attorney will appear in Municipal Court and trial courts as needed, employing discretion while upholding confidentiality and city policies. Westlaw/Lexis and MS Office proficiency are required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the State Bar of Texas prior to application.
• Two years’ experience with a state or local governmental entity.
• Litigation experience in state or federal court including first chair in civil cases is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Represent the City in Municipal Court of Record in civil and criminal matters.
• Represent the City in civil service matters.
• Represent the City in trial before District/County Courts as first or second chair in civil litigation.
• Provide legal counsel to elected officials and City departments based on applicable laws and charters.
• Review ordinances, resolutions, and administrative policies.
• Draft/review city contracts including construction and real estate documents.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

Skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Confidentiality

Diplomacy

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 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 employer and 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.

Galveston Island is a coastal barrier island located along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Galveston's convenient coastal location along with its close proximity to Houston, has contributed to the city becoming the economic engine it is today - including being the employment center of Galveston County. The City of Galveston has a population of approximately 50,000 and is home to key industries in medicine, education and maritime.