Hybrid Senior City Attorney - Land Use & Planning

City of Bellevue; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bellevue, through the City Attorney’s Office, seeks a Senior Attorney with substantial government litigation and advisory experience to join a fast-paced, collaborative team.

This role focuses on transportation, long range planning, capital projects, neighborhoods and environmental stewardship, with emphasis on land use permitting and regulatory decisions.

Hybrid schedule after orientation; WA residency required; strong drafting, risk analysis and briefing skills expected.

Qualifications

• Graduate of ABA-accredited law school with JD.
• Licensed to practice law in Washington state.
• Extensive knowledge of Growth Management Act, Local Project Review Act and SEPA.
• Experience drafting development regulations, ordinances and procedures.
• Minimum 5 years municipal/government experience.
• Minimum 3 years permitting, land use and environmental matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular counseling to City departments on municipal law topics.
• Advise and defend local land use decisions in permitting processes.
• Develop strategies for issues during planning, environmental review, and code development.
• Draft resolutions and ordinances for City Council adoption.
• Respond to state legislation affecting land use regulations.
• Represent the City in litigation and administrative appeals.

Skills

Municipal law knowledge

Government client advisory

Litigation experience

Legal research (Westlaw)

Clear oral/written communication

Independent judgment

Project management

Stakeholder relations

Self-development mindset

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited law school)

Washington State bar license

Knowledge of Growth Management Act and land use

Experience drafting regulations and ordinances

Municipal/government experience (5+ yrs)

Permitting/land use experience (3+ yrs)

Tools

Westlaw

Job description

The City of Bellevue, through the City Attorney’s Office, seeks a Senior Attorney with substantial government litigation and advisory experience to join a fast-paced, collaborative team.

This role focuses on transportation, long range planning, capital projects, neighborhoods and environmental stewardship, with emphasis on land use permitting and regulatory decisions.

Hybrid schedule after orientation; WA residency required; strong drafting, risk analysis and briefing skills expected.