Senior Attorney

About the Role:

Under general direction, this position is experienced in municipal law, working under general direction of supervisory staff. It serves as the primary resource in preparing, reviewing, and interpreting the law in assigned area(s), in addition to possible supervision of support staff and/or other attorneys. The position addresses more complex legal issues, carries a greater or more difficult caseload or assignments, and exercises more independent decision-making than an Attorney I or Attorney II. This Senior Attorney will be assigned to the Municipal Law Section.

The Arlington City Attorney's Office is hiring a new attorney for its Municipal Law Section. Preferred candidates will have experience in Economic Development, as this position works closely with the City of Arlington's Economic Development Team and the Arlington Economic Development Corporation.

Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: economic development, telecommunications/franchising, real estate law (including eminent domain and real estate transactions), land use, contracts, elections, civil litigation defense (including Texas Torts Claims Act and civil rights actions), police legal, employment law, civil service, collections, and municipal court prosecution.
• Conduct legal research to provide legal opinions, advice, and strategies on various legal and policy matters.
• Prosecute misdemeanor criminal and civil violations in municipal court, including both bench and jury trials, and assist with pre-trial dispositions.
• Represent the City in administrative hearings.
• Provide legal advice on police matters and review warrants.
• Represent the City in civil litigation defense, primarily in personal injury cases, including drafting pleadings, discovery responses, and motions.
• Provide legal guidance and assistance with employee disciplinary investigations (including Internal Affairs reports) and represent the City in defense of employee disciplinary actions at various hearings, including third-party arbitration.
• Draft ordinances, resolutions, and policies.
• Review and draft complex contracts, agreements, deeds, and other legal documents.
• Provide training to departments and legal updates on relevant legal issues on behalf of the City Attorney.
• Provide training, briefings, and legal representation for various City boards and commissions, as well as City Council.
• Act as Parliamentarian at City-related open meetings.
• Interact closely with management of City departments and the City Managers’ Office to advise them of legal risk associated with various activities.
• May select, train, direct, and evaluate the work of support staff and other attorneys.
• Manage and assist outside counsel.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school and a current license to practice law in the State of Texas, in good standing is required.
• Five (5) years as a practicing attorney with three (3) years of specialization in one of the areas of law routinely practiced in the City Attorney’s Office, including but not limited to: general litigation, police legal, contracts, construction claims, land use, collections, municipal prosecution, telecommunications/franchising, real estate, economic development, labor/employment, or civil service.

Required Skills:

• Locate and analyze applicable statutes, policies, and rules.
• Perform legal research on a variety of platforms.
• Stay current on laws applicable to their area of practice.
• Effectively use technology, including but not limited to Microsoft applications.
• Summarize legal issues orally or in writing in a concise and professional manner.
• Communicate comfortably with a wide variety of individuals and be proficient at public speaking.
• Multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Be comfortable with sensitive or potentially sensitive information and exercise good judgment and discretion when discussing the information.
• Make in-person court appearances when required.
• Develop alternate solutions to problems.
• Cross-train, assist, or assume the duties of the other similarly classed attorney positions as operational needs arise.
• Work in an office environment with other attorneys and staff or work in a workspace located in another City department.
• Have a working knowledge of the organizational structure of the City of Arlington and its leadership.