Assistant City Attorney II

City of Miami Beach; Miami Beach (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Miami Beach seeks an experienced attorney to lead complex litigation for the City, handling pre-suit and in-suit matters, trial strategy, and appellate work. You will represent the City in civil and administrative proceedings, coordinate with agencies, and manage external counsel when needed, while advising department directors on litigation risks and outcomes.

Responsibilities include drafting briefs, pleadings, motions and discovery plans; presenting cases in court; supervising

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• 1–7 years of relevant experience.
• Current membership in the State Bar of Florida.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Represents the City in complex civil and appellate litigation and before administrative hearings.
• Performs all phases of pretrial, trial, and appellate work.
• Develops litigation strategy and alternatives.
• Prepares briefs, drafts pleadings, motions and arguments, and conducts discovery and depositions.
• Files motions and briefs.
• Appears in court on behalf of the City, including at trial.
• Consults with legal staff of other entities on joint cases.
• Supervises the presentation of cases when outside counsel is used.
• Provides advice to department directors on litigation status.
• Represents the City in negotiations to resolve litigation risk issues.
• Oversees external attorneys in labor/employment law matters.
• Provides legal advice on a wide range of issues and drafts opinions, resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and other instruments.

Skills

Municipal law

Civil litigation

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Court proceedings

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

This is a complex and fast-paced position. An attorney in this position is primarily responsible for performing a variety of litigation-related duties, including pre-suit and in-suit case preparation and trial.

• Represents the City in complex civil and appellate litigation and before administrative hearings held by local, state, and federal agencies
• Performs all phases of pretrial, trial, and appellate work
• Develops litigation strategy and alternatives
• Prepares briefs, drafts pleadings, motions and arguments, and conducts discovery and depositions in preparation for presentation of the case
• Files motions and briefs
• Appears in court on the City's behalf, including at trial
• Consults with legal staff of other entities when joint cases occur
• Supervises the presentation of cases when outside counsel is used
• Provides advice to department directors on the status of litigation
• Represents the City in negotiations to resolve issues involving litigation risk
• Oversees external attorneys in areas such as labor/employment law
• Provides legal advice to departments on a wide range of complex issues; researches legal issues and statutory and case law; drafts and reviews opinions, resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and other legal documents and instruments; reviews and drafts recommended changes to proposed legislation
• Advises department directors, managers, supervisors, and employees on their role in litigation, their responses to the public and the news media regarding legal issues and litigation, and preparation for testimony in court and in administrative hearings
• Represents the City with regard to affirmative legal responsibilities and provides independent assessment of civil liberties and rights issues; provides advice and direction to ensure City employees comply with legal requirements
• Appears at Commission, committee, and board meetings as assigned
• Reviews, researches, drafts, and edits ordinances at the request of the City Attorney, the City Commission, or the City Administration; attends meetings to explain, discuss, redraft, and negotiate ordinances
• Drafts, reviews, and edits official public notices and documents
• Performs other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil and administrative law, especially as related to municipal governments
• Knowledge of state and federal court procedures and rules of evidence
• Knowledge of interview techniques and strategies for case preparation
• Knowledge of pleadings and effective practices and techniques in the presentation of court cases
• Knowledge of the principles, methods,and techniques of legal research and investigation
• Knowledge of Municipal Code, City Charter, state and federallawsand regulations, court decisions, and other legal requirements applicable to municipal government functions, operations, and personnel
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal communication
• Knowledge of City rules, policies and procedures applicable to area of responsibility

• Knowledge of the responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agenciesinthe State of Florida
• Knowledge of statelawgoverning public records and the meeting of public government bodies
• Knowledge of City human resources policies andlaborcontract provisions
• Ability to define and analyze complexlegalissues and problems, research and organize facts, performlegalrisk-benefit analysis, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations
• Ability to review casefiles, identifyactionitems,and proactively work to progress cases to become trial-ready
• Ability to present statements of fact,lawand argument clearly,logically,and persuasively
• Ability to exercise sound,independentjudgment within general policy guidelines andlegalparameters
• Ability tointerpretand explain state and federallaw,regulations,legislation,and constitutional provisions affecting City operations
• Ability to develop soundlitigationstrategy and to represent the City effectively inhearings,courts oflaw,andmeetings
• Ability to draft clear, concise, and competentlegalbriefs, resolutions, ordinances, agreements, contracts, proposedlegislation,reports, correspondence, discovery responses, and other written materials
• Ability to use effective written and oral communication skills,includingexplaining complex and unfamiliar principles to non-technical audiences
• Ability to remainneutralonissueswhere there are competing political agendas
• Ability to use a high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or upset individuals

• Graduation from an accredited school of law
• One (1) to seven (7) years of experience relevant to the major duties/essential function of the position
• Current membership in the State Bar of Florida
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The work is typically performed in an office and in court rooms and meeting rooms while sitting at a desk or table while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.