Senior City Attorney - Land Use & Planning Expert

City of Bellevue, Washington; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bellevue seeks a Senior Attorney to join its City Attorney’s Office in a fast-paced, supportive environment. The role focuses on providing legal services related to transportation, long-range planning, capital projects, neighborhoods, and environmental stewardship.

You will advise City departments on land use, permitting, and regulatory matters, draft ordinances, handle litigation and administrative appeals, and present complex issues to City management and Council.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
• Currently licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Washington.
• Extensive knowledge of Growth Management Act, Local Project Review Act, Land Use Petition Act, SEPA and related processes.
• Experience drafting development regulations, ordinances, resolutions and administrative procedures.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant municipal or government experience and three (3) years in permitting, land use, planning, environmental or policy development.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular counseling and strategic advice to City departments and management, both orally and in writing, on municipal law.
• Focused support, advice, and defense for City departments and management authorized to issue administrative and regulatory local land use decisions.
• Advise and develop responsive strategy to issues raised during permitting, land use entitlement, planning, environmental review, code compliance, and policy and code development processes.
• Assist City departments in drafting resolutions and ordinances for adoption by the City Council.
• Respond to state legislation affecting local land use regulations and advise City departments of legal requirements.
• Draft and review legal documents and contracts, including concomitant agreements and settlement agreements with other governmental bodies and third parties.
• Represent the City in litigation, administrative and judicial land use appeals, and contested matters.

Skills

Municipal law knowledge

Land use / planning experience

Litigation experience

Westlaw proficiency

Strong communication skills

Independent judgment

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA accredited)

Licensed to practice in Washington

Tools

Westlaw

Job description

The City of Bellevue seeks a Senior Attorney to join its City Attorney’s Office in a fast-paced, supportive environment. The role focuses on providing legal services related to transportation, long-range planning, capital projects, neighborhoods, and environmental stewardship.

You will advise City departments on land use, permitting, and regulatory matters, draft ordinances, handle litigation and administrative appeals, and present complex issues to City management and Council.