Assistant City Attorney III

City of Spokane; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Spokane is seeking an Assistant City Attorney with a Juris Doctor degree and five years of legal experience. This role involves legal representation for city departments, drafting legal documents, and attending council meetings as an advisor.

Ideal candidates should have knowledge of municipal law, and effective communication skills. The position offers opportunities to work on complex legal issues and engage with various city officials within a professional environment.

Qualifications

• Five years' experience in law practice required, three years recommended in municipal law.
• Membership in Washington State Bar Association is mandatory.
• Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly to the public.

Responsibilities

• Engage in legal representation of city departments and officials.
• Conduct legal research and draft contracts and ordinances.
• Attend City Council meetings as a legal advisor.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Oral communication

Municipal law knowledge

Education

Juris doctor or equivalent degree

Tools

Legal databases

Office software

Job description

Department Purpose

The City Attorney's Office advises and represents all city elected and appointed officials, departments, employees, boards, committees, and commissions on all civil legal matters pertaining to municipal law and the City of Spokane.

Position Purpose

Play integral role for all municipal law involving the City.

Supervision Exercise

Works independently subject to guidance by City Attorney or Senior Attorneys. May supervise junior attorneys and support staff in specific projects or areas of expertise.

This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received.

Assistant City Attorneys have the unique opportunity to develop specialization in various areas of municipal law such as land use/planning, human resource/labor law, and/or utilities/public works.

The following Responsibilities and Requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage in a broad range of legal representation of all city departments, officials and employees.
• Conduct legal research and provide oral and written opinions on major substantive, procedural, and administrative issues to City departments, boards, and commissions.
• Draft ordinances, resolutions, regulations, contracts, proposals for state legislation and other legal documents.
• Attend meetings of the City Council and City boards and commissions as the legal advisor to the City officials and governing body.
• Analyze changes in state and federal laws and court decisions and provide legal guidance to City departments for compliance with new requirements.
• Provide legal assistance and guidance to other attorneys within specific areas of expertise.

• Conduct independent legal research, render oral and written opinions on major substantive, procedural, and administrative issues to major City departments, boards, and commissions.
• Draft, review, and assist in the administration of City contracts and other procurement.
• Prepare and conduct major litigation before federal, state, and local courts, and administrative agencies and other adjudicative bodies.
• Negotiate and recommend settlement of claims filed against the City.
• Analyze changes in state and federal laws and court decisions and provide legal guidance to City departments as to method of compliance with new requirements.
• Provide legal assistance and guidance to other attorneys within specific area of expertise.
• Participate as active member (non-legal role) in various City administrative and management projects.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Make difficult and complex decisions quickly.
• Express legal concepts in clear and concise language for the City Council, Mayor, City officials and staff and the general public.
• Knowledge of municipal law and the practices and procedures of the City government is helpful. Demonstrated expertise in specific areas of municipal law.
• Prepare legal analyses and recommendations. Analyze and understand complex problems; identify and implement solutions.
• Present matters clearly and persuasively before public bodies, arbitrators, management, and employee groups.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Use a personal computer and software necessary to effectively perform the duties of the position.
• Organize and manage own work and supervise support staff and junior attorneys.
• Foster and maintain effective professional relationship with City officials and staff, colleagues, and general public.
• Exercise good moral character and integrity in matters pertaining to professional responsibilities.
• Perform in the Courtroom with an emphasis on the preparation and presentation in trials.

Working Conditions

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting. It involves frequent attendance at meetings to include some irregular hours and potentially out-of-town travel. Incumbents in this classification are expected to communicate verbally, in person, and by telephone. A computer terminal is used and requires the use of repetitive arm-hand movements.

Education

Juris doctor or equivalent degree. Membership in Washington State Bar Association.

Experience

Five (5) years' experience in practice of law required, with three (3) years' experience in municipal law recommended. Member of the Washington State Bar Association.

Behavioral Standards

As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Assistant City Attorney III is subject to the City’s Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, “it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain.”

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status.