City Attorney

City of Colorado Springs; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent city government in Colorado Springs seeks an experienced City Attorney to lead the legal strategy and services for the city. This executive-level role entails overseeing all litigation, providing high-level counsel to elected officials, and managing a talented team of attorneys. The ideal candidate should possess a Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB, have a minimum of ten years of legal experience, and be admitted to the Colorado Bar. This position requires excellent communication and leadership capabilities within a dynamic public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Ten years of demonstrated legal experience.
• Three years of legal supervisory experience.
• Experience advising a city council or legislative board.

Responsibilities

• Lead the City's legal strategy and services.
• Provide high-level legal counsel to elected officials.
• Oversee all litigation and legal matters involving the City.

Skills

Legal communication

Leadership in legal matters

Strategic legal thinking

Familiarity with Colorado Open Records Act

Experience in municipal law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB

Admission to the Colorado Bar

Job description

City Attorney

The City of Colorado Springs is seeking an experienced and highly qualified attorney to serve as its next City Attorney. This executive-level role leads the City Attorney’s Office and serves as the chief legal advisor to City Council, the Mayor, City departments and enterprises, boards and commissions, and City employees.

The City Attorney’s Office advises the Mayor, City Council, their appointees, and City enterprises, including Colorado Springs Utilities, as well as City boards, commissions, committees, and staff in the conduct of City business. The Office represents the City in all court cases where the City has an interest and prosecutes all cases docketed in Municipal Court. The City Attorney oversees four divisions: Corporate, Litigation & Employment, Prosecution, and Utilities.

About the City of Colorado Springs

Nestled at the base of majestic Pikes Peak — America’s Mountain, Colorado Springs is home to more than 506,000 residents and spans 195 square miles of breathtaking landscapes. With 243 days of sunshine annually, the City offers an exceptional quality of life, combining natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and economic opportunity.

Colorado Springs features over 150 parks and 375 miles of trails, a thriving downtown and diverse neighborhoods, and a strong military, academic, and nonprofit presence. It is home to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Museum and has a growing reputation as a hub for aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity industries.

The City operates under a Council-Mayor form of government, led by a popularly elected Mayor and nine-member City Council.

The Position

As City Attorney, you will lead the City’s legal strategy and services, ensuring that the organization operates within the law while advancing its strategic goals. You will provide high-level legal counsel to elected officials, City leadership, departments, enterprises, boards, commissions, and employees on a wide range of complex issues.

You will oversee all litigation and legal matters involving the City, including legal research, contract review, ordinance and resolution development, and other core advisory functions. The City Attorney represents the City in court proceedings, administrative hearings, negotiations, and other legal forums as needed, and ensures that legal services are delivered in a timely, effective, and efficient manner across the organization.

This role includes leadership and management of a talented team of division attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff. You will be responsible for staffing, performance management, work assignments, and the use and oversight of outside counsel. You will also partner closely with City leadership to shape policy, support compliance, and anticipate and address legal risks.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned municipal or government law practitioner with a strong record of leadership and service. They are an exceptional communicator who can clearly explain complex legal issues to diverse audiences, a strategic thinker who anticipates challenges and develops practical legal solutions, and a collaborative leader committed to trust, transparency, and high ethical standards. This individual thrives in a fast‑paced, dynamic public‑sector environment and is energized by the opportunity to support a growing and vibrant city.

• JD (Juris Doctor) or LLB (Bachelor's of Law) from an ABA accredited law school.
• Ten years of demonstrated legal experience.
• Three years of legal supervisory experience and/or three years of experience mentoring other attorneys.
• Admission to the Colorado Bar as an attorney in good standing.
• Experience with a Colorado governmental entity.
• Experience advising a city council or other legislative/advisory board.
• Experience with the Colorado Open Records Act and Colorado Open Meetings Law.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and revising legal documents, including, but not limited to, formal legal opinions, legislation, and agreements.
• Experience managing or supervising the work of other attorneys, paralegals, and project managers.

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of a résumé, cover letter, and a writing sample.

The writing sample must have been drafted within the past five (5) years, be no more than five (5) pages in length, and may not be a pleading. Writing samples containing privileged or confidential attorney‑client communications are not permitted unless the applicant has obtained a valid waiver of privilege.

Background Check

The background check process for this position includes being fingerprinted. Fingerprints will be used to check the FBI’s criminal history records.

Contact

Please contact Kristen Clinton at [e-mail] for any questions about this position.

Additional Information

This position is subject to budget‑required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year, and any furloughs subsequently approved.

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Seniority Level

• Executive

Employment Type

• Full‑time

Job Function

• Legal

Industries

• Government Administration