City Attorney

Gfoat; Dickinson (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Dickinson seeks an experienced City Attorney to serve as the chief legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, and staff. The role involves providing legal opinions, researching federal, state, and local laws, and representing the City in litigation and formal proceedings.

The Attorney will oversee civil litigation matters, advise on land use and development issues, draft legal documents, and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school and active Texas bar license.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience with municipal law focus.
• At least 5 years in municipal law and 2+ years as City Attorney or Deputy/First Assistant City Attorney.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal consultant and advisor to City Council, City Manager, boards, commissions, and staff.
• Provide legal opinions, research, and support; represent City in litigation and legal proceedings.
• Attend council/committee meetings to provide legal guidance within the law.
• Oversee civil litigation matters and external counsel; manage litigation strategy.
• Draft ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal instruments for city operations.
• Advise on platting, zoning, land use, and development issues.

Skills

Legal research

Contract negotiation

Litigation management

Public administration

Policy advice

Oral and written communication

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LL.B.

Job description

The City Attorney is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council. Serving as the chief legal consultant and advisor for the City, the City Attorney is responsible for providing legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, key City leaders, boards and commissions, and other staff regarding legal matters; providing a full range of legal services to the City including preparation of legal opinions, research and support, representation in legal actions, document preparation; and contributing as a member of the City’s executive management team on strategy and policy to ensure the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services.

Essential Duties:

• Serve as the chief legal consultant and advisor to the City Council, City Manager, boards and commissions, City departments, and City Staff in their official capacity, including, but not limited to, providing legal advice and legal counsel, and providing legal representation in litigations and legal proceedings.


• Provide legal counsel, directly or indirectly through staff, which includes researching federal, State, and local laws and regulations, and issuing legal opinions to the elected and appointed officials of the City and to various City boards and commissions.


• Attend all City Council and committee meetings as appropriate and required by charter to provide legal guidance to elected officials in carrying out their responsibilities within the law.


• Represent the City in all aspects of municipal law and all other general legal matters involving the City.


• Oversee civil litigation matters and dispute resolutions involving the City, including managing outside litigation counsel; respond to inquiries by City Council and City Manager regarding legal ramifications of pending litigation.


• Responsible for all aspects of prosecution in the City's municipal court of record.


• Act as legal advisor for platting, re-zoning, and various land use and development issues.


• Draft legal documents on behalf of the City, including ordinances, resolutions, minute orders, code provisions, contracts, council materials, and a variety of other legal instruments for legislative enactments, including but not limited to deeds, releases, and other instruments binding the City regarding real property.


• Negotiate and/or review contracts and other legal documents involving the City of Dickinson and approve all City legal documents prior to execution by the approving authority.


• Assist with the open record requests when Attorney General Ruling or Police Issues necessitate legal assistance.

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive knowledge of laws affecting municipalities including but not limited to the Public Information Act, Texas Local Government, Civil Service and Health and Safety Codes for purposes of civil code enforcement, procurement and contracting regulations and interlocal government agreements.


• City Codes and Charter


• Local government politics, policy, and process


• Municipal government operations


• Applicable municipal, State, and Federal laws


• Criminal law principles


• State and municipal ordinance prosecution principles


• Agreements and economic development incentives


• Court methods and procedures


• Legal theory and terminology


• Parliamentary procedures

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.


• Strong legal and factual research skills


• Ability to prepare clear and concise written opinions and briefs


• Drafting, negotiating, and interpreting legal documents and instruments


• Maintaining sensitive and confidential information


• Prioritizing, organizing, and managing multiple projects


• Communicating effectively with a variety of individuals in writing and verbally

Education:

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an ABA accredited law school

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• A license to practice law issued by the Texas State Bar.


• Valid Texas driver's license.

Experience:

Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney, including at least five (5) years of experience in the area of municipal law and at least two (2) years of experience serving as City Attorney or Deputy/First Assistant City Attorney.

An equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above-described essential functions will be considered.