General Counsel

League of Arizona Cities and Towns; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns seeks an experienced General Counsel to provide in-house legal counsel to the Executive Director and Executive Committee, offering strategic guidance and legislative support to the organization.

The General Counsel will oversee the amicus curiae program, develop legal guidance and educational materials, train staff, and advise on contracts and municipal law matters across Arizona’s cities and towns.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Active Arizona State Bar membership.
• Minimum five years’ experience in legislative, municipal, or administrative law.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-house counsel to the Executive Director and Executive Committee.
• Support legislative activities by analyzing bills and drafting amendments.
• Oversee amicus curiae program and prepare briefs.
• Develop legal guidance and educational materials.
• Conduct trainings on municipal law topics.

Skills

Legal research

Time management

Communication

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as General Counsel, providing legal counsel, strategic guidance, and legislative support to the organization.

The General Counsel serves as in-house counsel to the League’s Executive Director and Executive Committee and plays a key role in supporting the League’s legislative and policy activities. This position provides legal research, analysis, advice, and representation on matters affecting the League and its member cities and towns.

The General Counsel also serves as a resource to municipal attorneys throughout Arizona, oversees the League’s amicus curiae program, develops legal guidance and educational materials, and provides training on a variety of municipal law topics.

Candidates must hold a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school, be a member in good standing of the Arizona State Bar, and have a minimum of five years of legal experience, with an emphasis in municipal, legislative, or administrative law. Salary range: $175,000–$225,000, depending on qualifications and experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Send cover letter, resume, and references to: [e-mail]. For additional information, email Rene Guillen: [e-mail]. Open Until Filled www.azleague.org EOE

BASIC FUNCTION

Furthers the mission of the League by providing general legal counsel and advice to the Executive Director and the Executive Committee. Supports the legislative activities of the League by analyzing bills, drafting amendments, and responding to technical and legal questions.

Monitors legal trends and provides strategic advice to League leadership. Serves as a resource to municipal attorneys. Oversees the League’s amicus curiae program and files briefs in federal and state cases. Prepares and updates League materials and publications. Conducts training and speaks at events about municipal law topics. Reviews contracts. Reports to Executive Director.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as in-house counsel to the League Executive Director and the Executive Committee by drafting legal documents; reviewing contracts; writing legal opinions; providing legal advice to League management; drafting Amicus briefs as needed. Attends all Executive Committee meetings.
• Provides support to legislative team by analyzing bills, drafting amendments, providing strategic advice, assisting with policy positions, participating in working groups, researching Arizona municipal policy issues, reviewing the New Laws Report, and responding to technical questions from members, Legislative Council, lawmakers, intergovernmental representatives, attorneys at the Senate and House. Attends the weekly League meetings with the intergovernmental representatives, clerks, and other groups.
• Serves as a resource to municipal attorneys by researching legal issues, drafting legal opinions, assisting with election-related issues and other legal matters (e.g., 1487 complaints), leading working groups, providing legal updates, and filing comments about proposed changes to the rules of professional responsibility and procedural court rules.
• Oversees the League’s amicus program (e.g., reviewing amicus requests, coordinating Amicus Committee meetings, preparing and filing amicus briefs, working with co‑amici when applicable).
• Prepares model ordinances, advisories, and other guidance documents.
• Updates various League publications and the election manual. Amends the League’s legal documents including Constitution, Bylaws, leases, business arrangements, and other documents as needed.
• Serves as League liaison to the Arizona City Attorney’s Association (ACAA) and the International Municipal Law Association (IMLA). Provides support to the ACAA by assisting with conference planning, hosting the annual meeting, and providing CLE training.
• Conducts training for League members on various municipal topics (e.g., new legislation, open meeting law, parliamentary procedure, public records law, civility, conflicts of interest, preemption, charter authority, elections law). Makes presentations to IMLA, Arizona Municipal Clerks Association, the State Bar and other groups as requested.
• Keeps abreast of court decisions and changes in the law that could affect the League or its member cities and towns.
• Provides support to Annual Conference activities by serving as Parliamentarian for the Resolutions Committee and assisting with other conference activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Current membership in good standing with the Arizona State Bar.
• Minimum of five years’ experience with emphasis in legislative, municipal, or administrative law.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of municipal law and familiarity with cities and towns in Arizona.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communicator—writing and presentation abilities.
• Superior research and analytical skills; ability to use computer, word processing, and online tools.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in connection with the League’s legal affairs.
• Ability to interact effectively with League staff, its member cities and towns and other constituents.

OTHER CONDITIONS

• Ability to work effectively in an office setting; occasional travel required in-state and out-of-state to meetings and events.
• May require occasional extended hours and/or weekend work.
• Position is full-time/exempt under FLSA regulations.
• The Executive Director shall have the right to amend any portion of this document at his or her discretion