City Attorney

Performs a variety of complex, high level administrative, technical and professional work in prosecuting crimes, conducting civil lawsuits, drawing up legal documents, advising City Officials as to legal rights, obligations, practices, and other phases of applicable local, state and Federal law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

a)                  Manages and supervises the legal department of the City to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.

b)                  Provides professional advice to the City Council and City Officers; makes presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.

c)                  Communicates official plans, policies and procedures to staff and the general public.

d)                 Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities; monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; prepares annual budget requests; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.

e)                  Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow; studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.

f)                   Issues written and oral instructions and opinions; assigns duties and examines work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.

g)                  Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.

h)                  Assists City Officers to see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed.

i)                    Advises the City Council and City Officers of legal conditions and current and future trends; issues legal opinions upon proper request(s).

j)                    Attends all meetings of the Council, Administration, and/or boards at which attendance is required; may be asked to attend other meetings on an as needed basis.

k)                  Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc.; reviews documents prepared by other agencies or parties.

l)                    Advises city officials of changes to state or Federal laws affecting city operations.

m)                Oversees the gathering of evidence in civil, criminal, and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action.

n)                  Conducts research, interviews clients, and witnesses and handles other details in preparation for trial.

o)                  Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case.  Files briefs with court.

p)                  Represents the City in court, and before quasi‑judicial or administrative agencies of government.

q)                  Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for city officials and staff.

r)                   Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings; serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and city officials on specialized legal issues.

s)                   Any other duties as assigned by the Mayor.