Assistant Corporation Counsel

newhavenct.gov; New Haven (CT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick days

Paid personal days

Paid holidays

Term Life Insurance

AD&D coverage

Defined contribution plan

Job summary

The City of New Haven is seeking an Assistant Corporation Counsel to provide legal advice and representation to the Board of Education and related city entities. The role requires independent judgment and may involve civil litigation, contract review, and education/public records expertise.

The ideal candidate is admitted to the Connecticut bar with at least two years of practice. Hybrid work options may be available after onboarding, with a focus on municipal and education law responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• Membership in good standing to the Connecticut bar.
• Minimum of two years of experience practicing as an attorney.
• Must have experience using Microsoft Office or equivalent.
• Experience in education law, public records, and public meeting law preferred.

Responsibilities

• Applies civil, municipal, constitutional, land use, employment, and real property law to municipal issues.
• Provides legal advice to City departments, Boards and Commissions on municipal law.
• Performs legal research as necessary.
• Drafts opinions for City departments and boards on request.
• Negotiates and reviews contracts, real estate agreements and other documents.
• Represents the City in civil claims and administrative hearings.

Skills

Legal research

Microsoft Office

Public records law

Public meeting law

Education law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Connecticut Bar Admission

Job description

Introduction

This is an attorney position under the direction and supervision of The Office of the Corporation Counsel assigned to provide advice and representation to the New Haven Board of Education and/or the New Haven Public Schools at the direction of the Superintendent of Schools or designee. The attorney is expected to exercise independent, professional judgment in the performance of work, and may have responsibility for management of civil litigation, contract negotiation and review, advising Board personnel on compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and public meeting laws, working with the Board’s outside counsel on employment and education law issues, and other related matters. Experience in education law or public records and public meeting law preferred. Hybrid remote work options for some aspects of the work may be available once work routine are established.

Primary Functions

This is an attorney position under the direction of The Office of the Corporation Counsel. This position involves providing legal advice and counsel to various City departments, Boards and Commissions relating to their official duties in all aspects of municipal law. The attorney is expected to exercise independent, professional judgement in the performance of work. The Assistant Corporation Counsel is accountable to the Corporation Counsel or Deputy Corporation Counsel, who will periodically observe, review and evaluate work performance.

Typical Duties And Responsibilities

• Applies principles and procedures of civil law, municipal law, constitutional, land use, employment, and real property law to a wide variety of legal issues affecting the operation of a municipality.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to various City departments, Boards and Commissions relating to their official duties in all aspects of municipal law.
• Performs legal research as necessary.
• Prepares written opinions for various City departments, Boards and Commissions upon request for adoption by the Corporation Counsel.
• Negotiates, prepares, reviews and approves as to form Board and Commission Resolutions, Contracts, Real Estate Agreements and other legal documents and instruments authorized by City Charter or Code of Ordinances.
• Represents the City of New Haven, its officers and employees, and Boards and Commissions in civil claims and lawsuits before state and federal courts. Drafts all related pleadings, briefs, appeals and memoranda for filing with the appropriate forum.
• Represents the City of New Haven, its officers and employees, and Boards and Commissions in Administrative Hearings.
• Performs other related work as required.

NOTE: The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job and shall not be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

• Graduation from an accredited school of law;
• Membership in good standing to the Connecticut bar;
• Minimum of two years of experience practicing as an attorney.
• Must have experience using Microsoft Office or equivalent.
• Experience in education law, public records, and public meeting law preferred.

Knowledge, Experience, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and procedures of civil law especially as they relate to municipal government; and the ability to apply this knowledge to varied legal issues.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research.
• Knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures, and the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of constitutional provisions, laws, regulations and ordinances affecting municipal operations.
• Knowledge of municipal government structures, and operations of Boards and Commissions, and their relationship to other public jurisdictions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and employees of the City, and the general public.
• Ability to analyze, assess and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in cases.
• Ability to manage deadlines and multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Skill in court presentations and other hearings.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Membership in good standing to the Connecticut State bar.
• Experience in education law, public records, and public meeting law preferred.
• Applicant MUST attach resume and writing sample to submission.

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a General Fund, "Non-Tested" position.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 1303-464, Council 4, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. Bargaining agreements are available to review HERE.

Benefit Information: Employees become eligible to participate in the Medical & Dental benefit plan provided for members of Local 1303-464. Employees may elect a medical plan including prescription drug and dental coverage, for which employees must contribute a portion of the premium cost. Benefit information can be found online HERE, under the Local 1303-464 Attorneys banner.

Eligible employees receive paid vacation, paid sick days, paid personal days, and paid holidays.

Term Life Insurance of $120,000 and $100,000 AD&D is provided at no cost to the employee.

General Funded hires into this class are covered by Social Security. They participate in the City's defined contribution plan; the employee contribution rate is 7.5% of base salary.

The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification. Position posted until filled.

Applicants must attach a resume and a writing sample to their submission.