Municipal City Attorney & Legal Strategy Lead

American-Fork-City; American Fork (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement benefits

Life insurance

HSA and FSA options

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Collaborative workplace

Job summary

American Fork City is seeking an experienced City Attorney to serve as the city's chief legal advisor and a trusted partner to City leadership. You will lead the in-house legal function, provide practical, timely legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, and department directors, and help guide growth and development across municipal operations.

This role requires strong judgment, integrity, and the ability to manage civil litigation, external counsel, and policy matters such

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Utah and good standing with the Utah State Bar.
• At least six years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience advising organizational leadership, managing complex civil matters, and drafting or reviewing contracts and ordinances.

Responsibilities

• Advise City leadership with strategic legal guidance on municipal operations and governance.
• Protect the city's interests by managing civil litigation, claims, negotiations, and risk reduction.
• Guide growth and development on land use, zoning, development agreements, annexations, and public improvements.
• Ensure legal compliance with Open Meetings Act, GRAMA, immunities, procurement, employment, ethics, and related laws.
• Draft and negotiate ordinances, resolutions, contracts, interlocal agreements, and policies.
• Lead legal services by establishing workflows, priorities, and determining need for outside counsel.
• Collaborate across departments and with the city prosecutor and risk partners to resolve issues.
• Promote proactive problem-solving and training to support departmental goals.

Skills

Leadership

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Policy guidance

Communication with officials

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from ABA-accredited law school

Active Utah law license

Utah State Bar in good standing

Six years of progressive legal experience

Job description

American Fork City is seeking an experienced City Attorney to serve as the city's chief legal advisor and a trusted partner to City leadership. You will lead the in-house legal function, provide practical, timely legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, and department directors, and help guide growth and development across municipal operations.

This role requires strong judgment, integrity, and the ability to manage civil litigation, external counsel, and policy matters such