Staff Attorney 1

Salary: GS.15  $81,488- 98,446

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location: City Hall Annex

FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.

Department: City Attorney

 

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

A Staff Attorney I serves the City by providing legal services to City departments and various City boards, commissions, and committees; representing the City in the courts of Tennessee and the United States and before administrative agencies; and performing a variety of professional tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. This position is supervised and directed by the City Attorney and the Deputy City Attorney. 

SERIES LEVEL:  

This is the first level of a two level series.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Tracks legal developments to monitor compliance with applicable laws.

Drafts, reviews, and negotiates ordinances, amendments, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, permits, licenses and other legal instruments.

Provides legal advice to City Council, Department Administrators, Boards, Commissions, and Committees and City staff, and participates in the formulation of City policies.

Reviews, interprets, and ensures compliance with federal, state, county and city constitutions, charters, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, court decisions, laws and other legal entities.

Prepares, reviews, and negotiates a variety of legal documents, offerings and requests for information which may include motions; pleadings; memorandums; immunity agreements; defense claims; legal opinions; petitions; special actions; briefs; subpoenas; contractual agreements; court coverage instructions; and related activities.

Represents the City, its officers and employees in all litigation including preparation of dockets, anticipating defense, presenting evidence, developing case theory, pleadings, briefs, motions, and other documents, preparation and trial of legal matters and handling of appeals; and appears before all Federal and State courts and administrative agencies. Assists in the collection of debts and damages due to the City.

Assists in the enforcement of City ordinances and codes and City traffic regulations; participate in coordinating and facilitating related prosecution activities.

Monitors status of cases for filing of legal papers and payment of civil penalties.

Provides legal counsel to the City department(s) regarding applicable codes, ordinances, statutes and laws. Attend department meetings to communicate and obtain information.

Conducts public hearings and coordinates public comment period.

Responds orally and in writing to complaints, public comments and inquiries from the general public.

Reviews Local ordinances, State codes, Federal laws and statutes, and the US Constitution to resolve legal issues.

Prepares correspondence, memos, briefings, management reports and other documents.

Coordinates filing of legal advertisements with County Clerk, newspapers and others.

Serves as custodian for ordinances, Board minutes, docket files and other legal documents.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university; five (5) years practicing civil law strongly preferred. 

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and be in good standing with the Tennessee Supreme Court. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Operations, services, and activities of a City Attorney’s office; duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of a City Attorney; applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and/or statutes; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; methods and techniques used in the review and settlement of lawsuits; methods and techniques of prosecuting violations of municipal codes; caseload management techniques; legal research methods; princi