City Attorney UN

About the Role

Responsible for managing all legal affairs affecting the City. Work involves supervising and approving the work of all subordinates and outside counsel; providing legal advice and counsel to the City Council, Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Council Services, and department heads. The position requires extensive public contact of a sensitive and demanding nature. This is an unclassified at-will position.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, assign, and supervise the work of subordinates and outside counsel.
• Review and approve settlements of litigation, legal opinions, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, legislation, and other legal documents.
• Provide advice and counsel to the City Council, Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, and Director of Council Services; provide oral and written opinions and advice on litigation and legislation.
• Attend all City Council meetings; respond to questions and render advice.
• Represent the City on pending legal matters and litigation.
• Perform related work as required.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school recognized by the American Bar Association.
• Experience in the practice of municipal law, managing a budget, municipal, local, state government, and intergovernmental affairs, including direct supervisory experience.
• Must be a licensed attorney at law admitted to practice by the State Bar of New Mexico.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Preferred Knowledge

• Constitutional, federal, state, and local law affecting municipal government.
• Judicial procedures.
• Established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.
• Municipal ordinances and charter provisions relating to the authority and function of municipal departments.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of subordinate attorneys.
• Analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents concerned in difficult and complex cases and present such material in a clear and logical form for oral and written presentations, briefs, opinions, orders, and decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including City officials and the general public.