Special Counsel & Legislative Services Division Director

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Major medical insurance

Life insurance

Annual leave

Job summary

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County is seeking a Special Counsel & Legislative Services Division Director to lead the Council Office’s Legal Services Division and act as chief legal advisor on legislative matters. You will oversee drafting and analysis of ordinances, provide formal opinions, and coordinate with the Metropolitan Department of Law to ensure charter compliance.

The role requires a JD, extensive municipal law and legislative experience, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible legal experience with expertise in public/municipal law and legislative practice.
• Two or more years in supervisory or team leadership within a legal environment.
• Demonstrated skill in legislative drafting, statutory interpretation, and delivering complex legal opinions.
• Active license to practice law and Tennessee Bar membership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal advisor to the Metropolitan County Council, the Vice Mayor, Council committees, and individual Council members on legislative and charter matters.
• Draft, review, and analyze ordinances, resolutions, amendments, and other instruments for legal sufficiency and conformance with the Charter and state law.
• Provide formal and informal legal opinions on questions submitted by the Vice Mayor, Council members, or committees.
• Review contracts, leases, and instruments submitted to the Council; advise on legal risk and Charter compliance.
• Attend Council and committee meetings to provide real-time legal support.
• Coordinate with the Metropolitan Department of Law and other departments as needed.
• Lead and manage the Council Office Legislative Division, including attorneys and support staff.
• Oversee workload planning, quality standards, and professional development for the division.

Skills

Public law

Municipal law

Legislative drafting

Legal research

Legal writing

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

This is a non-Civil Service announcement.

The Special Counsel & Legislative Services Division Director is the chief legal officer for the Metropolitan Council and the lead of the Council Office’s Legislative Services Division. Authorized by Section 8.607 of the Metropolitan Charter, this position provides expert legal counsel exclusively to the Metropolitan County Council, the Vice Mayor, Council committees, and individual Council members on all legislative and legal matters. The Special Counsel leads the Legal Services team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, independent, legal services that support sound legislative decision-making and compliance.

Conditions of Employment

• Must remain a licensed attorney and member of the Tennessee Bar throughout employment.
• Shall not engage in the private practice of law or any activity conflicting with the interests of the Council or the Metropolitan Government.
• Evening work will be required on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with the exception of the first Tuesday in January, and occasionally for special called meetings in the late afternoon.
• Position is unclassified and at-will; continued employment is subject to the terms approved by the Council and Vice Mayor.
• Professional liability insurance coverage provided by the Metropolitan Government per applicable employment terms.
• Eligible for reimbursement of bar dues, CLE expenses, and professional license fees.

Compensation & Benefits

This position is compensated at the senior legal management level commensurate with qualifications and experience. As an unclassified employee of the Metropolitan Government, the Special Counsel & Legislative Services Division Director is entitled to benefits available to permanent unclassified employees, including pension, major medical insurance, life insurance, annual leave, sick leave, and other benefits administered by the Metro Employee Benefit Board. Prior Metropolitan Government service is credited.

*Resume must uploaded as part of your application*

Legal Services to the Council

• Serve as the chief legal advisor to the Metropolitan County Council, the Vice Mayor, Council committees, and individual Council members on legislative, regulatory, charter matters.
• Draft, review, and analyze ordinances, resolutions, amendments, and other legislative instruments for legal sufficiency and conformance with the Metropolitan Charter and Tennessee law.
• Provide formal and informal legal opinions on questions submitted by the Vice Mayor, Council members, or any Council committee.
• Review all contracts, leases, and other instruments submitted to the Council for approval; advise on legal risk, Metro interests, and Charter compliance.
• Attend Council and committee meetings to provide real-time legal support and guidance to the maximum extent practicable.
• Monitor legislative developments at the state and federal level that may affect Metro Council operations, authority, or responsibilities.
• Coordinate with the Metropolitan Department of Law and other departments and offices of the Metropolitan Government as needed.

Division Management & Team Leadership

• Lead and manage the Council Office Legislative Division, including attorneys, analysts, paralegals, and support staff.
• Assign and supervise legal research projects, work, drafting assignments, and committee support duties across the team.
• Manage Legal Services Division workload planning and prioritization to ensure timely and effective service delivery to all Council members and committees.
• Establish quality standards, workflows, and best practices for all legal deliverables produced by the Legislative Division.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide mentorship and support professional development and continuing legal education for legal staff.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding attorneys and Legislative Services Division staff; provide input on administrative staff positions as appropriate and in coordination with the Chief of Staff.
• Contribute to the Council Office annual budget process by providing input on division resource needs, staffing, and priorities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work in close partnership with the Vice Mayor and Chief of Staff to align legal services division with Council Office strategic priorities and operation.
• Support the Chief of Staff, Vice Mayor, and Executive Committee with legal review of Office policies, procedures, and administrative decisions with legal implications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Council Office and external legal partners, including the Metropolitan Department of Law, outside counsel (if engaged), and other Metro offices and departments.
• Advise the Chief of Staff on legal risk and compliance issues arising from Council Office operations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience, with demonstrated expertise in public law, municipal law, legislative practice, or government affairs.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a legal environment.
• Demonstrated skill in legislative drafting, statutory interpretation, and the delivery of complex legal opinions.

LICENSES REQUIRED

• Active license to practice law and membership in good standing with the Tennessee Bar Association.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Thorough knowledge of legal principles and their application.
• Thorough knowledge of administrative and constitutional law.
• Knowledge of supervisory practices and principles.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Ability to analyze complex legal matters.
• Ability to explain, interpret, and enforce codes, ordinances, and related laws.
• Ability to manage and oversee the work of attorneys and support staff.
• Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to specific problems.
• Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically.
• Ability to analyze intricate factual situations and apply legal principles.
• Ability to perform legal research.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to supervise and train employees.
• Ability to deal courteously with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

• Ten (10) or more years of legal practice, including significant public or government sector experience.
• Prior service as a city or county attorney, legislative counsel, or in a comparable senior government legal role.
• Experience managing a team of attorneys or legal professionals in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with the Metropolitan Charter, Metropolitan Code, and Tennessee municipal law.
• Demonstrated experience advising an elected legislative body or board.