Deputy Law Director

City of Stow; Stow (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Dental, vision, life insurance

Job summary

The City of Stow is seeking an Assistant Director of Law to provide legal support to all city officers and departments. The role includes appearances before boards and courts, drafting pleadings and opinions, and assisting with civil and criminal matters.

The position requires a law degree, Ohio bar admission, and at least one year of relevant experience. Strong research, writing, and communication skills are essential, with the ability to work under pressure and maintain professional conduct.

Qualifications

• Must have graduated from an accredited law school and be admitted to the Ohio bar.
• At least 1 year of legal experience including research, writing and drafting motions/pleadings.
• Ability to communicate effectively with City employees, officials and the public.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimal errors.
• Knowledge of laws, codes, court procedures, precedents and government processes.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with City officials and employees.
• Research law.
• Draft pleadings.
• Draft opinions.
• Represent the City during all stages of civil litigation.
• Assist in the prosecution of criminal cases in the Stow Municipal Court.
• Appear on behalf of Director of Law at Council meetings.
• Appear on behalf of Director of Law at Board of Control meetings.
• Appear before Local, County, State and Federal boards and commissions.
• Serve as hearing officer under Parking Violation Review Board and Administrative Hearing Board.
• Communicate with the public at large.
• Draft and review contracts and legislation.
• Assist with Public Records Requests.
• Assist in real property acquisitions and related matters.
• Handle disputes and negotiate with internal/external parties.
• Maintain good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral & written communication

Drafting motions/pleadings

Education

Law degree and Ohio bar admission

Job description

Position Title

DEPARTMENT

LAW

DIVISION

ADMINISTRATION

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the Director of Law.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

In concert with the Director of Law, directs administrative assistant in responses to correspondence and general support duties.

POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS

The position of Assistant Director of Law in the City of Stow is unclassified by the Stow Municipal Civil Service Commission, is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not included in a collective bargaining agreement.

PURPOSE

Assist the Director of Law by providing legal support to all officers and departments within the City, including appearances on behalf of the City and in front of City boards and commissions, State boards and commissions, and all Ohio State Courts.

Essential Functions

• Communicate with City officials and employees.
• Research law.
• Draft pleadings.
• Draft opinions.
• Represent the City during all stages of civil litigation.
• Assist in the prosecution of criminal cases in the Stow Municipal Court.
• Appear on behalf of Director of Law at Council meetings.
• Appear on behalf of Director of Law at Board of Control meetings.
• Appear in front of, Local, County, State, and/or Federal Boards and Commissions.
• Serve as hearing officer under the City’s Parking Violation Review Board and Administrative Hearing Board.
• Communicate with the public at large.
• Draft and review contracts.
• Draft and review legislation.
• Assist with responding to Public Records Requests.
• Assist in the acquisition of real property, easements, right-of-ways, and other real property matters.
• Handle complaints, settle disputes, and resolve grievances and conflicts or otherwise negotiate with others, both internal and external to the City organization.
• Maintain “good standing” with the Ohio Supreme Court.
• Perform other duties related to those of the position and/or resulting from the needs of the organization.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications

• Must have graduated from an accredited school of law and are admitted to the practice of law in the State of Ohio.
• Must possess a minimum of one (1) year of prior legal experience including research, writing and drafting of motions and pleadings; preferably for a public service agency or government.
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with City employees and officials and the general public.
• Must possess excellent research and writing skills.
• Must be able to work under pressure and with minimal errors.
• Must possess skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.
• Must possess knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and the democratic political process.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio Driver’s License throughout the term of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands and fingers to handle and operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The City of Stow offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees, including major medical hospitalization, dental, vision, and life insurance. Employees have excellent coverage with affordable monthly contributions. Employees also have the option to purchase ancillary insurance and participate in deferred compensation.