Assistant City Attorney, Council Advisor

City-of-Frederic; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Frederick seeks a highly responsible attorney licensed in Maryland to provide legal services to the City Council, its members, and staff, with guidance from the City Attorney. You will perform legal research, draft ordinances and policies, and attend hearings and meetings.

The role requires J.D., Maryland Bar admission, and at least three years as an attorney, preferably with governmental or administrative law experience. Office 365 and Westlaw proficiency are expected.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school is required.
• Admission to the Maryland Bar is required.
• Three years of progressively responsible attorney experience; government or administrative law preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides advice and assistance to the City Council, its members, and staff.
• Engages in legal research and analysis.
• Attends public hearings, Council committee meetings, and other meetings as necessary.
• Drafts, edits, and reviews ordinances, resolutions, and policies initiated by Council members.
• Collaborates with Council members and staff in their development.
• Advises City Council on complex legal issues arising from proposed legislation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Public speaking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Legal research

Analytical reasoning

Initiative

Independent work

Education

J.D. degree from an accredited law school

Admission to the Maryland Bar

Three years of progressive attorney experience

Tools

Office 365

Westlaw

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

This position requires an extremely responsible attorney, licensed in the State of Maryland, to perform professional legal work for the City of Frederick. This position will provide legal services to the City Council, its members, and its staff, and assist the City Attorney in handling other legal matters of the City as assigned. Work is performed with latitude for independent professional action and decision but is subject to the supervision of the City Attorney, with day-to-day work direction provided by the City Council President.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides advice and assistance to the City Council, its individual members, and its staff.
• Engages in legal research and analysis.
• Attends public hearings, Council committee meetings, and other meetings as necessary.
• Drafts, edits, and reviews ordinances, resolutions, and policies initiated by Council members, and collaborates with Council members and staff in their development.
• Works collaboratively with Council members, other attorneys, and staff in preparing documents including ordinances, resolutions, and policies.
• Advises City Council regarding complex legal issues arising out of proposed legislation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Maryland Bar.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible work as an attorney, or any equivalent combination of education and experience; preference may be given for governmental or administrative law experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.):

• Computer literacy, including working knowledge of Office 365.
• Strong and effective public speaking skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to understand and analyze legal facts and materials and to present logical and persuasive conclusions from that analysis.
• Ability to conduct thorough legal research using Westlaw or other online legal research sources.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective, courteous and responsive working relationships with staff, elected officials, appointed officials, and the general public.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, report progress, recognize need for assistance from others, and propose solutions for problems.

OTHER DESIRABLES:

• Prior experience representing a local or state government.
• Experience advising a legislative body or drafting legislation at any level of government is highly desired.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to move about in an office type setting, to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, to compile and retrieve information from computers, telephones, etc., to type and write, and to handle paperwork. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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