Assistant City Attorney II or Assistant City Attorney Senior I

Date Opened: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 12:00 AM

Close Date: Sunday, February 02, 2025 12:00 AM

Department: City Attorney Department

Salary: $114,225.74 - $142,782.18 Commensurate with Experience

SUMMARY

This position is part of the City Attorney’s Office and responsible for providing comprehensive legal services and representation to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and City Departments, specifically on matters involving condemnations. The position will be primarily located at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center. The job title and classification will ultimately be determined by the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Litigate condemnation and inverse condemnation actions on behalf of the City in accordance with N.C.G.S. §136 and §40A;
• Provide legal counsel on condemnation and inverse condemnation matters.
• Identify and assist to favorably resolve operational and business issues associated with the condemnations, or acquisition, disposition, and management of real property for the City.
• Research and advise on compliance with local, state, and federal laws specific to municipal condemnations and property acquisitions.
• Advise the City in many diverse areas such as compliance with applicable state and federal aid laws, environmental laws, public record and open meeting laws, public official liability laws, public utility and railroad laws, tort liability laws, and real estate title laws.
• Draft formal and advisory legal opinions and legislation when requested.
• Represent the City in administrative hearings and litigation with respect to these matters at all levels of federal and state courts as may be required.
• Conduct legal research and draft, review and write legal opinions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of constitutional, federal, state, and local laws affecting municipal government with an emphasis on eminent domain litigation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, analyze complex issues from a legal and practical perspective, and provide clear advice and counsel.
• Possess business acumen and the ability to negotiate condemnation transactions effectively.
• Ability to master new material quickly, manage a diverse legal portfolio, and handle a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to think creatively and quickly to solve problems.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Thorough knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures, local rules, and rules of evidence.
• Thorough knowledge of case, statutory, regulatory, and common law, and ability to render formal opinions.
• Ability to assimilate complicated and large amounts of information, organize it and present it effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, court decisions, legal principles, and other legal precedents.
• Ability to prepare and try eminent domain cases and other complex civil cases.
• Ability to recognize significant issues in cases, creatively develop case strategy and tactics.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, the public, elected and appointed officials, and City staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school and license to practice law in North Carolina or ability to be admitted into the NC State Bar via reciprocity prior to beginning employment.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience as a practicing attorney for Assistant City Attorney II; Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience as a practicing attorney for Assistant City Attorney Senior I.
• Less relevant experience for each position may be considered if experience includes significant concentration in municipal law.

Minimum Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizat