Principal Assistant City Attorney

POSITION DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Serves as litigator for the City in all State and Federal Courts. Identifies, analyzes and discusses legal issues associated with projects. Establishes and acts as liaison with departments, the City Manager and the Mayor and Council to integrate legal support into policies, and to provide legal advice and assistance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:*

Position Specific Summary

The Principal Assistant City Attorney position in the Civil Division of the Tucson City Attorney’s Office provides advanced-level legal services and performs advanced-level legal work in assigned areas of practice.  Attorneys at this level work with a high level of autonomy and accountability. Provides guidance and mentoring to lower-level attorney personnel.

Work is performed in accordance with general policies and established standards of the legal profession and is reviewed by the City Attorney or their designee. This position does not supervise.

Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Counsel (40%) - Essential

Responds to legal inquiries from the City’s executive management team and their staff, typically for assigned City departments. Identifies, analyzes and explains legal issues associated with projects and programs of City-wide importance. Performs advanced-level professional and administrative legal work including development of and revisions to the Tucson Code. Consults with client decision makers regarding departmental and major legal issues. Provides legal advice and assistance.

Legal Analysis (25%) - Essential

Prepares and reviews materials submitted to the Mayor and Council for its consideration and approval for legal issues. Prepares ordinances or resolutions for consideration by the Mayor and Council. Analyzes legal issues associated with initiatives under consideration by the City Manager or Mayor and Council. Consults with Mayor and Council and City management at public meetings and in executive sessions as needed. Guides and mentors lower-level attorneys.

Document Review (20%) - Essential

Reviews and prepares a variety of legal documents including but not limited to contracts, intergovernmental agreements, legal correspondence, notices and position statements.

Litigation (10%) - Essential

Litigates complex legal matters (in administrative matters; or in federal or state courts) in assigned area of practice, and/or supports litigation efforts in those matters by performing research, preparing and filing pleadings, making court appearances, etc.

Serves as litigator for the City in State and Federal Courts. Identifies, analyzes, and discusses legal issues associated with projects. Handles legal matters of assigned departments and acts as liaison with departments, the City Manager, and the Mayor and Council.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%) - Non-Essential

Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.  Any one position may not include all the duties listed. This position description identifies the responsibilities and tasks typically associated with the performance of the position.

Working Conditions

Mostly office environment.

* All duties, responsibilities, and percentage of time listed are subject to change.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Juris doctorate degree (JD)

Work Experience:

Five (5) years of directly related experience

Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

ADDITIONAL MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Juris doctorate degree (JD)

or a related field.

Work Experience:

Civil and/or Criminal Law, Five (5) years of directly related experience

Skills:

License/Certifications:

Member in good standing - State Bar of Arizona

Languages:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Government law practice; including a working knowledge of the legal subject matter involved with the department to which assignment will be made.

Experience in the practice of municipal law including the review, negotiation, and drafting of contracts or other primary responsibility for participation in transactional work.

Experience advising executives on employment, discrim