Assistant City Attorney I/II

City-of-Suffolk; Hall (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Suffolk seeks an active attorney in good standing to serve as Assistant City Attorney I/II. The role advises City departments, City Council, and Boards and Commissions on legal matters, drafts and reviews contracts and city documents, and trains staff on legal issues.

Responsibilities include representing the City in employee grievances, performing legal research, and handling cases across civil rights, real estate, zoning, and other areas.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and 1–2 years of experience in state and federal courts or municipal law, or equivalent training/experience.
• Active license to practice law in Virginia and admission to Virginia courts; eligible for admission by reciprocity or after passing the Bar.
• Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to City Council, City departments, and City boards and commissions.
• Draft, review, and approve major documents including contracts, leases, settlement agreements, and memorandums of understanding.
• Represent the City in employee grievance matters and perform legal research for informal opinions.

Skills

Legal research

Contract review

Litigation

Education

Juris Doctorate degree

Job description

The Office of the City Attorney seeks an active attorney in good standing with the Virginia State Bar to serve as an Assistant City Attorney I/II. The Assistant City Attorney represents the City in employee grievance matters, performs legal research, reviews bonds and contracts, and provides legal advice to various City departments.

Under limited supervision, performs professional legal work advising City departments on legal matters. Represents the City, its Council, its staff and its various Boards and Commissions. Serves as legal counsel to the City departments, City Council and City Boards and Commissions to advise officials on the legal implications for the City; and drafts and reviews major documents of the City. Fields of law practiced in this position may include contract, employment, civil rights, personal injury, constitutional, FOIA, real estate, zoning, bankruptcy, and child welfare. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in determining the proper course of action in establishing City policies and handling cases involving constitutional matters, statutory matters, monetary settlements, money damages, etc. Employee must also exercise tact and professional courtesy in frequent contact with City Council, government officials of the state, federal government and other local governments; persons conducting business; and citizens. Reports to the Deputy City Attorney.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

• Provides legal advice to City Council, City departments, and various City boards and commissions.
• Drafts, reviews, and/or approves all major documents for the City, including but not limited to, contracts, leases, settlement agreements, and memorandums of understanding, city policies, change orders, and letters.
• Trains City staff on legal matters.
• Represents the City in employee grievance matters.
• Performs legal research and prepares memorandums of informal opinions, regarding numerous fields of civil law.
• Investigates claims for and against assigned agencies and programs, and makes recommendations for the settlement of claims, as appropriate.
• Prepares cases for trial, interviewing witnesses, negotiating with attorneys, conferring with judicial personnel, locating witnesses and defendants, and investigating incidents.
• Performs case management functions, such as preparing case documents; preparing orders; requesting and responding to subpoenas, discovery, subpoena duces tecum, etc.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications for Assistant City Attorney I

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and 1 to 2 years of experience in state and federal courts or municipal law; or any combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license.

Recent graduates are encouraged to apply!!

License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and be an active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar and be admitted by the Supreme Court of Virginia to appear in all courts in Virginia or must have passed the July 2026 Bar Exam and awaiting admission into the Bar or eligible for admission into Virginia Bar via reciprocity.

Salary Range: $84,635 - $108,250 depending on qualifications

Qualifications for Assistant City Attorney II

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of 4 years litigation experience in the practice of law in state and federal courts, preferably including work for local government; and have practiced of law municipal law, including eminent domain, child welfare law or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license.

Must be licensed by and be an active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar and be admitted by the Supreme Court of Virginia to appear in all courts in Virginia.

Salary Range: $97,973 - $125,308 depending on qualifications

Experience in real estate law, eminent domain, litigation, local government law, general code compliance, child welfare, and procurement are preferred.

***In order to be considered for this position, applicants must attach a cover letter and résumé, to their application.***