City Attorney bei City of Jefferson, MO

About the Department

The City of Jefferson is now accepting applications for a licensed attorney to serve as our next City Attorney. This position provides legal services to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator and all City departments., Duties include the review of City contracts and other documents, litigation in courts of law, investigation of claims made by or against the City, acquisition of real property, legal research, and counsel for City government, to ensure all City business is conducted in compliance with applicable laws and the norms of legal practice.

Position Duties

Drafts, reviews and approves all contracts, deeds, bonds, ordinances, resolutions and other documents to be signed in the name of or made to or with the City, to ensure that all such documents meet accepted legal standards and are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Directs or manages City's role in all litigation directly or indirectly affecting the City while drawing on an extensive knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence, including interviewing, researching, document drafting, negotiating and representing the City in courts of law, to protect the legal and financial interests of the City of Jefferson and to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

Utilizes extensive knowledge of municipal, state and federal law to advise the Mayor, the City Council, the City Administrator and all City boards and commissions on legal and City insurance matters; conducts legal research; and issues recommendations, to ensure that City government is aware of and in compliance with all applicable laws.

Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City, including those for property damage, personal injury and Workers' Compensation claims, to ensure that all claims are settled in a fair, impartial and expeditious manner.

Manages the day-to-day operations of the Legal Department. Supervises and promotes training and development of staff. Recommends and oversees departmental budget.

Attends meetings of the City Council and other boards, committees and commissions of the City.
 
 Negotiates, recommends and drafts documents on behalf of the City in order to acquire real estate for City use.

Reviews, researches and approves personnel disciplinary actions to ensure that the City is in compliance with applicable employment laws.

Oversees and coordinates with all outside counsel retained by the City.

Minimum Qualifications

Physical: Ability to sit, read or write for extended periods.
 
Mental: Ability to retain a high degree of detail and accuracy in both written and oral presentations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with persons of varying expertise; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
 
Requirements: A Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law and five years' experience in the practice of law.  Also requires a license to practice law of  the state for the past three years and have been actively engaged in the practice of law during the past three years. Experience in legal research, land use matters, contracts, economic development, human resources matters, parliamentary procedure, and civil litigation preferred. Previous municipal law experience highly preferred.

Other Qualifications

This position is appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council.  This full-time position includes an outstanding benefit package.  Typical hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM with attendance required at all City Council meetings (held on the evening of the first and third Mondays of the month) and other meetings as needed.

The City Counselor oversees a staff of two full-time and two part-time within the Municipal Court, as well as an Associate City Counselor and a Paralegal.