Assistant City Attorney

Provides legal advice and representation; conducts significant and complex civil lawsuits; draws up legal documents; advises City officials as to legal rights, obligations, practices and other phases of applicable local, state and federal law; prepares cases for trial; drafts resolutions, ordinances and other documents; prepares legal opinions; practices in the area of labor relations; litigates labor related cases; appears on behalf of the employer in arbitration and Public Employee Relations Board hearings; conducts reviews of open record requests; and reviews contracts for legal sufficiency.

Salary

$79,584.04 - $135,507.96

Responsibilities

• Evaluates claims against the City and, if appropriate, assumes primary responsibility for representation of the City in jury and non-jury trials before local, state and federal courts.
• Represents the City in adversarial proceedings before Municipal Court, District Court, Workers Compensation Court, Court of Civil Appeals, Oklahoma Supreme Court, Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, the various United States Courts, state and federal, administrative agencies, boards and commissions, and at other hearings of concern to the City.
• Performs complex legal research and prepares legal opinions regarding diverse matters relating to all areas of city government for the City Manager, City departments, boards and public officials.
• Approves ordinances, resolutions and contracts as to legality and form; provides legal advice as to substance.
• Performs duties as the Prosecutor of Lawton City Code violations in Municipal Court.
• Makes legal recommendations to the City Attorney and acts as the city representative in the area of labor relations, negotiations, grievances filed by unions, arbitration hearings, Public Employee Board hearings and general labor related matters.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc.; reviews documents prepared by other agencies, departments or parties.
• Drafts legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and reviews testimony in preparation for litigation.
• Attends City Council meetings to brief the Council regarding matters within the responsibility of the attorney.
• At the direction of the City Attorney, attends meetings of the City Council, trust authorities, boards or commissions at which legal advice may be necessary.
• Communicates with city, state and federal officials through personal contact, telephone and written correspondence on matters of interest to the City.
• Prepares cases for trial and represents the City in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies.
• Acts as legal counsel to boards and commissions as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the City Manager, Department Director or other designated supervision.

Requirements

• Graduation from an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate Degree and admission to practice law before the Supreme Court of Oklahoma; and the ability to be admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit within six months of employment.
• License to practice law in the State of Oklahoma and member in good standing with the OBA.
• Must possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to employment.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge and expertise in the areas of municipal, state, and federal law.
• Considerable knowledge and expertise in the area of state and federal constitutional law affecting city government and civil rights matters.
• Considerable knowledge of city ordinances and charter provisions particularly as relating to the authority and functions of city departments.
• Considerable knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Considerable knowledge of established common law and judicial precedents and experience indicating a proven ability to use various sources of legal references.
• Ability to prepare and try cases before local, state and federal courts and administrative boards.
• Ability to prepare a wide variety of legal documents in the areas of contracts, real property, employment, public works, public funding and other areas of municipal concern.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing and to read, analyze and understand complex written documents.
• Skill in conducting traditional and computer-assisted research on complex legal problems.
• Skill in operating the following tools and equipment: personal computer, including word processing program; calculator; telephone; copy machine and fax machine.
• Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents; ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, City officials, the court system and the general public.

Physical Requirements

• Tasks involve the ability to exert minimal physical effort in sedentary work, typically involving some combination of balancing, feeling, handling, hearing, kneeling, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, walking and involves some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and material of moderate weight (25 pounds).
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
• The working environment is relatively comfortable, however, the ability to meet deadlines is required.
• Occasional travel within the city limits will be required and some travel outside the city limits may be required.

Supervision

This position directly reports to the Deputy City Attorney. This position at times may supervise a legal assistant.