Staff Attorney

City of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fort Wayne seeks a Staff Attorney for the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission to serve as the Commission's legal counsel. You will oversee civil rights matters in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations, guiding cases from investigation through resolution with the Executive Director, investigators, and Commissioners.

With a regular weekday schedule and a focus on fairness, you will provide strategic legal advice, participate in trainings, and help communities

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active Indiana license to practice law.
• Experience in civil rights matters is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil rights enforcement across complaints, investigations and litigation.
• Advise Executive Director, staff, and Commissioners on civil rights laws and procedures.
• Guide investigations, assess evidence, and develop legal strategies for timely resolutions.
• Prepare legal documents and present matters before the Commission and courts.
• Deliver educational presentations and training to staff, Commissioners, and community partners.

Skills

Civil rights enforcement

Legal research

Litigation

Negotiation

Public speaking

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

Staff Attorney - Metropolitan Human Relations Commission | City of Fort Wayne

Schedule: Monday–Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Wednesday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m.–noon

Are you an attorney looking for a consistent schedule, free weekends, and legal work that makes a difference in your community?

Use your legal expertise to protect civil rights and help build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The City of Fort Wayne is seeking an attorney who brings sound judgment, strategic thinking, and a commitment to public service. This is an opportunity to guide civil rights enforcement, advise Commission leadership, and turn complex legal issues into action that matters to our community.

With a regular weekday schedule and Fridays ending at noon, this role offers meaningful work-and time for the life you're building outside of it.

Behind every discrimination complaint is a person whose livelihood, home, education, or access to services may be affected. As Staff Attorney for the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, your work helps ensure those concerns receive thoughtful legal review, fair treatment, and meaningful resolution.

What You'll Do

Serve as the Commission's legal counsel and representative, overseeing legal matters involving discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. Working with the Executive Director, investigators, and Commissioners, you will guide cases from investigation through resolution while supporting effective, fair, and legally sound decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead civil rights enforcement: Manage cases through fact-finding, discovery, settlement negotiations, administrative hearings, appeals, and litigation.
• Provide strategic legal counsel: Advise the Executive Director, staff, and Commissioners on civil rights laws, complex legal matters, agency procedures, and public access requirements.
• Guide investigations and case strategy: Direct and prioritize investigators' work, assess evidence, and develop legal approaches that support thorough investigations and timely resolution.
• Represent the Commission: Prepare legal documents and present matters before the Commission, courts, Common Council, and other appropriate bodies.
• Strengthen community understanding: Deliver educational presentations, support staff and Commissioner training, and help businesses, organizations, and residents understand their rights and responsibilities.

What You Bring

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in Indiana.
• Some experience in civil rights investigation, prosecution, administrative law, or legal research.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.
• Strong legal research, writing, litigation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to apply legal principles to complex and sensitive matters.
• The judgment, independence, and professionalism to lead challenging conversations and work respectfully with people representing different perspectives.

Preferred

• Three years of experience as a practicing attorney performing high-level legal work.

Technical & Professional Requirements

• Knowledge of applicable employment, fair housing, disability rights, and municipal civil rights laws.
• Ability to prepare motions, briefs, subpoenas, settlement agreements, and other legal documents.
• Qualification to practice before county and municipal courts in Indiana.

Bring your legal expertise. Help advance fairness in Fort Wayne.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of applicable drug screening, physical examination, and background checks.