Deputy Law Director

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

Job summary

City of Stow, OH seeks an experienced Assistant Director of Law to assist the Director of Law, provide legal support to city officers and departments, and represent the City before boards, commissions and Ohio courts.

The role requires drafting pleadings and opinions, conducting legal research, drafting contracts and legislation, and coordinating with public records requests and real property matters.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to the Ohio Bar.
• At least 1 year of legal experience including research, writing and drafting motions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with city officials, staff and the public.
• Excellent research and writing skills; able to work under pressure.
• Must possess a valid State of Ohio Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Represent the City in civil litigation and court appearances.
• Draft opinions, pleadings, and contracts.
• Research laws and draft legislative and contractual documents.
• Assist in prosecution of criminal cases in municipal court.
• Appear before city boards and commissions.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Draft pleadings

Oral communication

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

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.

1. Communicate with City officials and employees.
2. Research law.
3. Draft pleadings.
4. Draft opinions.
5. Represent the City during all stages of civil litigation.
6. Assist in the prosecution of criminal cases in the Stow Municipal Court.
7. Appear on behalf of Director of Law at Council meetings.
8. Appear on behalf of Director of Law at Board of Control meetings.
9. Appear in front of, Local, County, State, and/or Federal Boards and Commissions.
10. Serve as hearing officer under the City’s Parking Violation Review Board and Administrative Hearing Board.
11. Communicate with the public at large.
12. Draft and review contracts.
13. Draft and review legislation.
14. Assist with responding to Public Records Requests.
15. Assist in the acquisition of real property, easements, right-of-ways, and other real property matters.
16. Handle complaints, settle disputes, and resolve grievances and conflicts or otherwise negotiate with others, both internal and external to the City organization.
17. Maintain good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court.
18. 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.

1. Must have graduated from an accredited school of law and are admitted to the practice of law in the State of Ohio.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Must possess excellent research and writing skills.
5. Must be able to work under pressure and with minimal errors.
6. Must possess skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.
7. Must possess knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and the democratic political process.
8. 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.