Special Counsel (Strategic Business Services Division)

SPECIAL COUNSEL – REAL ESTATE, LAND USE TEAM 

STRATEGIC BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION, CITY OF ATLANTA LAW DEPARTMENT

General Description

The City of Atlanta Department of Law is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Special Counsel of the Real Estate, Land Use and Parks Team within the Strategic Business Services Division. The attorney in this senior-level position will be required to provide legal support on a variety of high-level real estate, land use, zoning and business transactions involving the City.   

The qualified candidate should have extensive legal experience with complex real estate matters, zoning, land use, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, open records and regulatory compliance is preferred.  Experience in city and/or regional planning is a plus.    The candidate should proactively identify and anticipate critical legal issues, assign legal research as appropriate, review junior lawyer work product and escalate matters to management as necessary. 

Candidates must have experience managing associate attorneys, paralegals and other legal staff. The position will involve extensive contact with the Atlanta City Council, multiple City Departments and Boards, and the Metro Atlanta community.  Applicants should possess leadership qualities, superior writing skills, outstanding judgment, exceptional analytical skills and strong negotiation skills.  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required. Candidates’ conduct must align with the City of Atlanta Ethics Code. 

Applicants with prior experience representing a municipality, other governmental/quasi-governmental entity are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Requirements

Juris Doctorate; Fifteen (15) or more years of experience as a practicing real estate attorney and people manager; member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia.

Preferred Qualifications

Ten plus years of experience as a practicing attorney in area of expertise. 

Knowledge of municipal law. 

Ten (10) or more years of managing people and workflow.