City Attorney

CPS HR Consulting (Client Recruitments); Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Galveston is seeking a City Attorney to serve as the chief legal officer, providing strategic legal guidance that advances the City’s mission and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws. The role oversees a 5 FTE office and a budget of about $1,128,850, drafting ordinances, contracts, and policies while advising elected officials and city leadership.

Candidates must have a JD from an accredited law school, Texas Bar licensure, and at least ten years of municipal legal

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and Texas Bar membership.
• At least ten years as a municipal lawyer.
• Experience with land use, civil litigation, labor relations, and economic development.
• Ability to lead a legal office and manage an annual budget.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal guidance to city leadership.
• Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, policies, and related instruments.
• Oversee litigation, risk management, and public procurement matters.
• Advise elected officials, the City Manager, department heads, boards and commissions.

Skills

Municipal law

Litigation management

Policy guidance

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Job description

The City of Galveston is recruiting for a new City Attorney to join their wonderful coastal community with a population of just over 50,000 residents. Located on the upper Texas Gulf Coast just 50 miles southeast of Houston. Galveston Island is a major regional destination, attracting more than 7 million visitors annually and stretches 32 miles long and 2.5 miles wide.

Appointed by the Mayor & City Council, the new City Attorney will serve as their chief legal officer and trusted advisor, providing strategic legal guidance that advances the City’s mission, protects its interests, and supports transparent, effective governance. This highly visible executive leader oversees all legal affairs of the City, serving as legal counsel to elected officials, the City Manager, department leaders, boards, commissions, and committees. The City Attorney ensures that municipal operations, policy decisions, and legislative actions are carried out in full compliance with federal, state, and local laws while supporting the City's long-term strategic objectives.

As the head of the City Attorney’s Office, this position directs a comprehensive municipal law practice encompassing litigation management, land use and zoning, civil code enforcement, labor and employment matters, public procurement, contract administration, legislative affairs, risk management, and economic development initiatives. The City Attorney is responsible for drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts, policies, and other legal instruments that shape City operations and public policy. This leader also provides sound legal counsel on complex and often high-profile issues, helping City leaders navigate emerging legal challenges, regulatory changes, and matters of significant public interest. The City Attorney will oversee 5 FTEs to include a Sr. Assistant City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney (3) and an Executive Assistant, along with managing an annual operating budget of approximately $1,128,850.

A successful candidate for this role will be collaborative, adaptable, and decisive, with the ability to navigate sensitive and high-profile matters with tact, diplomacy, and discretion. Experience in municipal law, civil litigation, land use, dispute resolution, labor relations, and economic development initiatives, including HOT taxes, TIRZs and MUDs, is required.

Candidates shall have a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from an accredited law School AND ten years’ experience as a municipal lawyer, licensed by the State Bar of Texas and the Southern District of Texas at time of employment, as well as a member, in good standing, of the Texas Bar Association. As required by Galveston’s City Charter, the City Attorney shall reside and be domiciled in the City no later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of hire and shall continue to reside and be domiciled in the City while serving as City Attorney.