Assistant Corporation Counsel

City of Kingston; City of Kingston (NY); On-site; USD 93,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kingston invites applications for Assistant Corporation Counsel. This role provides legal counsel to the Mayor, Common Council and City departments, and represents the City in legal proceedings.

Candidates must have a law degree, NY State Bar admission, and at least two years of relevant experience; residency within 40 miles is required. This exempt, full-time position blends advisory work and litigation.

Qualifications

• Law degree (J.D. or LL.B) from an accredited school.
• Admitted to the New York State Bar with two years of relevant legal experience.
• A license to practice law in New York State is required.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Mayor, Common Council and City departments on legal matters.
• Represent the City in civil litigation and legal proceedings.
• Draft and negotiate contracts and review documents for City use.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Attend public meetings and collaborate with city leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Counseling clients

Education

J.D. or LL.B

Job description

Title: Assistant Corporation Counsel

Salary: $86,500.00 – $132,500 (Annual)

Salary range provided is for an admitted attorney, commensurate with qualifications and experience

Classification: Exempt

The City of Kingston is seeking an experienced applicant for the position of Assistant Corporation Counsel.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

This is professional legal work in the Office of the Corporation Counsel. Attorneys in this role will provide legal counsel to the Mayor, Common Council and City departments and boards, represent the City of Kingston in legal proceedings, collaborate with City leaders and community stakeholders, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and attend public meetings. Candidates should expect to engage in a broad range of municipal legal work, including civil litigation, enforcement proceedings, vehicle and traffic actions, SEQRA and use matters, real property transactions, and contract negotiation and drafting, etc., as assigned by Corporation Counsel.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Work assignments are distributed from the Corporation Counsel and involve researching and analyzing legal questions and issues; preparation of memoranda and legal opinions; reviewing and drafting legal documents; negotiating contracts and settlement agreements; representing the City of Kingston in local, state and federal court; attending board and committee meetings, and related work. Duties require the exercise of independent legal judgment; ability to identify legal issues and risks across various departments and operations; strong writing and analytical skills; ability to establish work priorities; handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of local, state and federal laws, particularly in the fields of municipal law; land use; SEQRA; vehicle and traffic law; and FOIL; good knowledge of court procedures and rules of evidence; skill in preparing and trying cases; ability to analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems; develop and maintain good working relationships with City staff at all levels; good communication skills; counsel and make recommendations to City department heads and Common Council; skill in conducting legal research and drafting legal documents; exceptional organizational and planning skills, with a proven ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously and work independently while consistently meeting deadlines; knowledge of computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, email and database software and skill in their use; successfully demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, identify and assess problems, and decisively implement appropriate solutions or recommendations; perform other duties as assigned by Corporation Counsel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from high school or High School equivalency diploma and graduation from law school with an LL.B* or J.D. degree, admission to the New York State Bar, and two years of relevant legal experience.

NOTE

Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the requirement evaluation fee.

Special Requirement for Appointment

A license to practice law in New York State.

All candidates must reside within 40 miles of the City of Kingston at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Proof of residency will be required at the time of appointment.

The City of Kingston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer