City Attorney

City of Ames; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement plans (IPERS/IPERS/DC)

Relocation assistance (10% of salary)

Educational assistance & professional

Job summary

City of Ames seeks a seasoned City Attorney to advise elected officials with clarity and lead a capable legal team. The role balances risk with practical, business-minded counsel and strong land-use expertise, handling complex municipal matters and litigation.

The salary range begins at $150,000 with DOQ, and the city offers robust benefits, including health coverage and retirement plan options, with relocation support for a move within city limits.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to Iowa state courts or ability to obtain within six months.
• Five years of general legal practice, including at least one year in litigation and contracts.
• Experience in municipal or government law preferred.
• Must pass credit and background checks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal advisor and attend City Council meetings.
• Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and opinions.
• Represent the City in litigation in state and federal court.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the legal team and budget.
• Advise on land use, municipal utilities, property tax, and construction matters.

Skills

Litigation

Negotiation

Contract law

Land use

Public administration

Policy advice

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Are you a seasoned municipal attorney who can advise elected officials with clarity, translate complex law into plain language, and lead a talented legal team? If so, apply to be the City of Ames's next City Attorney!

We’re looking for an exceptional legal leader who is:

• A trusted, forward-facing advisor to the City Council, department directors, and the public
• A strong land use and local government generalist who balances risk with sound, practical counsel
• A confident litigator and problem solver who reads, interprets, and applies the law - then explains it in plain terms

Ames is a vibrant, progressive community of roughly 68,000 residents in the heart of central Iowa. Home to Iowa State University and located in Story County about 35 miles north of the state capital of Des Moines. Ames operates under a council-manager form of government. The Mayor and City Council set policy, while a professional City Manager oversees day-to-day operations.

The City Attorney's Office provides full-service legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, city staff, and the City's boards and commissions, and when available to the city-owned Mary Greeley Medical Center. The City Attorney reports to the Mayor and City Council.

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded local government attorney with strong land use expertise and the judgment to balance risk with practical, business-minded counsel.

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to DOQ.

For more information on this position, contact:

Michael D. Mallinoff, Esq. |Senior Vice President, Executive Recruitment

Strategic Government Resources

[e-mail]

443-336-5772

The City Attorney's Office provides full-service legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, city staff, and the City's boards and commissions, and - when available - to the city-owned Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as chief legal advisor and attend City Council meetings, advising on the legality of operations, policies, and procedures
• Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, legal opinions, and other documents
• Represent the City in litigation and prosecute and defend suits in state and federal court
• Lead, mentor, and manage the legal team and help administer the department’s budget
• Advise on land use, municipal utilities, property tax appeals, and construction matters

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree
• Admission to practice in Iowa state courts, or the ability to obtain admission within six months of appointment
• Five (5) years of experience in general legal practice, including at least one year in litigation, negotiation, and contract law
• Some experience in municipal or government law
• Must pass a credit and background check

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least three (3) years in management and supervisory capacity over legal staff and/or a department
• At least one (1) year of experience in real estate law or construction contracts
• Demonstrated experience in land use, municipal utilities, and/or property tax matters

SALARY & BENEFITS:

• Compensation: $150,000 to DOQ
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental coverage, with the City contributing 90-95% toward single or family premiums; term life insurance; and pre-tax flexible medical spending.
• Paid Leave: Paid vacation, ten paid holidays annually, and personal and family sick leave.
• Retirement: Choice of two plans - a defined benefit plan (IPERS) or a defined contribution plan - plus an optional deferred compensation plan (ICMA-RC). The City participates in Social Security.
• Additional Perks: Relocation assistance of 10% of salary with a move within city limits; educational assistance and professional development; an award-winning Health Promotions program; and employee discounts on Parks and Recreation programs. As an Iowa public employer, the City is a qualifying employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.