City Attorney I/II/III

City of Maypearl

Abilene (TX)

Hybrid

USD 80,000 - 140,000

Full time

14 days+

Get a reply from this employer

Your resume and cover letter, tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

The City of Abilene seeks an attorney to handle professional civil and criminal matters, including preparing cases for trial, drafting ordinances, resolutions, and contracts, and offering legal opinions to city boards and commissions. Positions range from Attorney I to III, with increasing responsibility, including supervision of staff, litigation, and providing timely legal advice to city departments.

A Juris Doctorate and Texas Bar admission are required, with municipal law experience

Qualifications

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Admission to the Texas Bar required.
Municipal or governmental practice experience preferred for entry levels; senior levels require more years.

Responsibilities

Initiate ordinance compliance in court.
Oversee preparation of legal instruments.
Prepare and try cases, with or without juries.
Advise boards and commissions.
Review and draft city ordinances, resolutions, and contracts.
Respond to staff and citizen inquiries.

Skills

Civil law

Criminal law

Legal research

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctorate

Texas Bar Admission

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, this position performs a variety of professional civil and criminal legal duties including preparing cases for trial, drafting resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and related documents, rendering legal opinions, and serving as legal advisor to City boards and commissions.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Attorney I/II

This position exercises no supervision.

Attorney III

This position may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Initiate ordinance compliance proceedings in court.
Oversee preparation of required legal instruments.
Prepare and try cases, with or without juries.
Investigate claims and complaints by or against the City; recommend action to be taken.
Research and prepare legal documents for trials and proceedings.
Advise boards and commissions assigned.
Review, revise, and prepare City ordinances and resolutions.
Review a variety of contracts and other instruments used by other departments and divisions including bid documents and contracts for services.
Respond to staff and citizen inquires; provide assistance and advice as necessary to resolve problems.
Operation of personal and/or City vehicle to and form work sites, meetings, and activities.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Civil and criminal law and the methods and practices of pleading.
Principles, methods, materials, and practices used in legal research.

Skill to:

Operate office equipment including computer equipment.

Ability to:

Work in a standard office environment.

Advise boards and commissions, as well as research and prepare legal documents.

Analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence and precedents and to present such material in a clear and logical form.

Present and argue cases in court.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values - Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division's mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Attorney III
Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division's mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Attorney I

Experience:

Experience as a practicing attorney is preferred.
Experience in a municipal or governmental practice is preferred.

Education/Training:

A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law is required.

License or Certificate:

A Texas driver's license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Admission to the Bar of the State of Texas is required.

Attorney II

Experience:

Minimum of four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney or three (3) years as an attorney practicing municipal law is required.

Education/Training:

At least 20 hours of Continuing Legal Education in the specific area of municipal law during the previous 3 years.

Attorney III

Experience:

Minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a practicing attorney or six (6) years as an attorney practicing municipal law is required.

Education/Training:

At least 40 hours of Continuing Legal Education in the specific area of municipal law during the previous 5 years.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

With or without accommodation, the "X" indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary - lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light - lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium - lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy - lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy - team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task: