Assistant Corporation Counsel

The Town of West Hartford; West Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Flexible spending account

Deferred compensation with 3% employer

Hybrid pension plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The Town of West Hartford seeks an experienced Assistant Corporation Counsel to provide professional legal services to the Town Council, Manager, and departments. You will interpret state and federal laws, charter provisions, and contracts, while guiding boards and staff through complex matters.

Responsibilities include advising on real estate, land use, labor, health and building code issues, drafting contracts, and supporting municipal operations in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law and admitted to the CT bar.
• Five years of attorney experience, preferably in municipal law, or equivalent.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate staff and outside counsel.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Town Manager and departments on municipal, real estate, land use, and labor matters.
• Provide counsel to the Board of Education on employee matters and student privacy issues.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts including service and construction agreements.
• Represent the municipality in property transfers, grants, redevelopment, and affordable housing projects.
• Perform complex legal research and prepare opinions for boards and the Town Council.
• Assist outside counsel with court filings and proceedings.
• Review legal claims for settlement and attend related conferences.
• Advise on public meetings/hearings and training for boards and staff.
• Manage inmates for a law clerk and administrative staff.

Skills

Municipal law

Real estate law

Labor & employment

Legal research

Public meetings

Ordinances & contracts

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

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Frontline Applicant Tracking - the Town of West Hartford

Announces an Open Competitive Examination

For the Position of

ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL

(unclassified, non-union position)

Application Deadline: Salary Range:

October 9, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. $135,000 to $155,000

Job Purpose:

Under administrative direction of the Deputy Corporation Counsel, provides professional legal assistance to the Town Council, Town Manager, and municipal departments, boards, commissions and agencies on matters affecting the interests of West Hartford. Researches and prepares advice and opinions for the municipality in matters requiring interpretation of state or federal laws, Town Charter, ordinances, administrative regulations, contracts or other legal instruments.

EssentialJob Functions:

Advise the Town Manager and municipal departments with respect to legal matters in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, municipal law, real estate law, land use and zoning matters, labor and employment law, health and building code enforcement, commercial real estate transactions, lease and license agreements, contracts and construction law.

Provide counsel to the Board of Education regarding employee matters, policy revisions, updates to forms and waivers, and provide legal opinions on matters involving student privacy, public meetings and statutory authority.

Prepare, draft, review and may negotiate a variety of contracts, including but not limited to, professional services contracts, vendor contracts, construction contracts, and service provider agreements.

Serve as counsel to the municipality in property transfers, federal and state grant awards and redevelopment and construction projects, including affordable housing projects.

Perform complex legal research and prepare legal opinions for municipal departments, commissions, boards and the Town Council.

Assist outside counsel in the preparation of court documents in connection with suits, trials, appeals, and other legal procedures involving the municipality.

Review and evaluate legal claims and suits against the municipality for settlement purposes.

Attend settlement and status conferences related to pending litigation and administrative proceedings involving the municipality.

Serve as counsel to the municipality in administrative proceedings before the Freedom of Information Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, Department of Public Health and Department of Transportation.

Prepare and draft ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and other legal documents.

Advise boards and commissions with respect to the legal requirements for public meetings and public hearings and the legal issues presented by the matters before the boards and commissions.

Conduct training sessions for municipal boards, commissions and staff.

Manage assignments for law clerk and administrative staff.

Provide other related duties as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.

Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research.

Knowledge of state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations.

Ability to draft pleadings, briefs, memoranda of law.

Ability to research complex issues and to render sound opinions.

Ability to apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statutes, charter provisions, ordinances, and contract provisions.

Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.

Ability to work with limited supervision and to exercise sound judgment.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with office associates, other employees of the municipality and municipal elected and appointed officials .

MinimumQualifications:

Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law and admitted to the practice of law in the State of Connecticut; five (5) years' experience as an attorney, preferably in municipal law; or any combination of training and experience deemed equivalent by the Corporation Counsel.

SpecialRequirements:

Must devote full time to the duties of the office and shall not otherwise engage in the practice of law.

Health, dental, and vision insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; flexible spending account; deferred compensation plan with 3% employer match; hybrid pension plan; vacation, holiday, and sick paid time off.

Work is performed primarily in a business office setting with opportunity to work remotely one day per week, subject to approval of the Deputy Corporation Counsel. Works independently with minimum of supervision. Position requires an ability to move throughout town facilities and travel to off-site locations for meetings, hearings, and court appearances. Must be able to work under stress from demanding deadlines and changing priorities and conditions. Manages and coordinates multiple priorities adhering to established time frames and performance standards. Frequent interactions with people who may, at times, be agitated. Attends to tasks/functions for more than sixty (60) minutes at a time. Attendance and participation required at least twice per month at meetings outside the normal business workday.

MethodofSelection:

Theevaluationofeducationandprofessionalexperiencewilldeterminequalified candidates for further consideration. Finalists will be required to submit professional references. Potential employment is contingent upon pre‑employment checks.

It is the policy of the Town of West Hartford that discrimination in any way on the basisrace, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity/expression, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, military/veteran status, political belief, criminal record, disability or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements and any exceptions under applicable state or federal law toward employees is strictly prohibited and will be not be tolerated.

The above description is intended as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed and are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. It is intended as a guide for personnel actions and must not be taken as a complete itemization of all facets of any job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The Town of West Hartford provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation on the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 860-561-7488 or email Alan Horner .

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or need assistance completing an online application may visit the Noah Webster Library or its branches for access and assistance.

Postings current as of 9/19/2026 9:14:46 AM CST.

Need Help?

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