Chief Legislative Counsel & Division Director

NOBEL Women; Nashville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Council seeks a Special Counsel to serve as the chief legal officer and lead the Council Office’s Legislative Services Division. The role provides expert counsel to the Council, Vice Mayor, committees, and members on legislative and legal matters, ensuring independent, high-quality services and compliance.

Responsibilities include managing the Legal Services team, overseeing drafting of ordinances, opinions, and contracts, supervising staff, budgeting input, and coordinating with

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from ABA-accredited law school.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience in public law, municipal law, legislative practice, or government affairs.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a legal environment.
• Demonstrated skill in legislative drafting, statutory interpretation, and the delivery of complex legal opinions.

Responsibilities

• Provide chief legal counsel to the Metropolitan Council, Vice Mayor, committees, and individual members on legislative and charter matters.
• Draft, review, and analyze ordinances, resolutions, amendments, and other instruments for legal sufficiency and conformance with Charter and Tennessee law.
• Provide formal and informal legal opinions on questions submitted by Council members or committees.
• Review contracts, leases, and instruments; advise on legal risk and Charter compliance.
• Attend meetings to provide real-time legal support and guidance.
• Monitor state and federal legislative developments affecting Metro Council operations.
• Coordinate with the Metropolitan Department of Law and other departments.

Skills

Leadership

Legal drafting

Statutory interpretation

Public law

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from ABA-accredited law school

Seven+ years of legal experience in public/municipal/government law

Two+ years of supervisory or team leadership

Experience delivering complex legal opinions

Job description

Metropolitan Council seeks a Special Counsel to serve as the chief legal officer and lead the Council Office’s Legislative Services Division. The role provides expert counsel to the Council, Vice Mayor, committees, and members on legislative and legal matters, ensuring independent, high-quality services and compliance.

Responsibilities include managing the Legal Services team, overseeing drafting of ordinances, opinions, and contracts, supervising staff, budgeting input, and coordinating with