Assistant City Attorney

An Assistant City Attorney III/IV in the Litigation Section focuses on tort cases in Circuit Court and on prosecuting ordinance violations, such as Building and Zoning Code violations, reckless driving, Operating While Intoxicated (1st) and other traffic offenses, in Municipal and Circuit Court.

Essential Functions

BOTH TITLES:

Litigation

• Conduct all aspects of tort litigation, including engaging in mediation, managing extensive and complex discovery, taking and defending depositions, drafting pleadings, motions and briefs, and trying cases before a jury or judge in both municipal and state court.
• Initiate litigation in the interest of the City of Milwaukee.
• Handle appeals in Wisconsin appellate courts.
• Conduct extensive legal research.
• Review and draft settlement agreements, waivers, releases, and stipulations.
• Prosecute ordinance violations in Municipal and Circuit Court, such as Building and Zoning Code violations, reckless driving, Operating While Intoxicated (1st) and other traffic offenses.
• Negotiate with legal counsel and pro se defendants in a high volume of pre-trial conferences.
• Appear formally in court conferences, motions and trials.
• Represent the City in Circuit Court on petitions for property returns.
• Prudently exercise prosecutorial discretion to achieve consistent, just and efficient outcomes in the interest of the City in matters involving ordinance violations.

Advisory and Administrative

• Provide consultative expertise in special areas of law such as the investigation, evaluation and processing of tort claims.
• Conduct citation review.
• Perform legal research to opine on the legality and enforceability of ordinances.
• Negotiate and recommend the payment of cash settlements or other dispositions in the interest of the City.
• Represent the City before various Common Council committees.
• Provide supervision, training and mentorship to other attorneys.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

• Required to file a statement of economic interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.

Minimum Requirements

Assistant City Attorney III

1. Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
2. Licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin at the time of appointment.
3. Five years of litigation experience, including at least three years as a municipal or criminal prosecutor, and/or at least three years of professional-level experience practicing in the area of state torts litigation with a demonstrated history of progressive responsibility for handling claims.

Assistant City Attorney IV

1. Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
2. Licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin at the time of appointment.
3. Seven years of litigation experience, including at least three years as a municipal or criminal prosecutor, and/or at least three years of professional-level experience practicing in the area of state tort litigation with a demonstrated history of progressive responsibility for handling claims.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Note: Qualified candidates will be placed on the highest list for which they qualify based upon qualifications and experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Familiarity with building, health, and traffic codes.
• Familiarity with the Local Rules of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
• Familiarity with the Milwaukee Municipal Court.
• Experience responding to property return petitions in Circuit Court.
• Experience trying tort cases to a jury or the bench.
• Experience with appellate brief drafting and oral argument.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical

• General knowledge of laws, court procedures, and precedents, and government regulations.
• Ability to handle all types of litigation and legal problems confronting the City of Milwaukee.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex written materials.
• Complex analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze, assess, and organize facts, evidence and precedents and effectively present such materials verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to perform computerized research regarding legal issues.
• Ability to value and successfully mediate cases.

Communication and Customer Service

• Excellent written communication skills including writing briefs, ordinances, and memos.
• Exceptional verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with coworkers, City administrators, and residents whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Customer service skills to ensure exceptional service.

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Ability to work accurately and prioritize and execute a large volume of projects with varying deadlines.
• Detail orientation.
• Analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to recognize, analyze and recommend solutions.
• Ability to work efficiently, independently, and exercise sound judgment to make decisions.
• Ability to work with a team, and supervise, train and mentor other attorneys.
• Honesty and integrity for handling confidential information and politically sensitive issues.
• Ability to serve as an effective steward of City resources.

Current Salary

Assistant City Attorney III

The current salary range (Pay Range 2NX) is $93,836-$123.106 annually, and the salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $97,589-$128,031 annually. Appointment above the minimum of each range is possible based upon experience and is subject to approval.

Assistant City Attorney IV

The current salary range (Pay Range 2SX) is $117,464-$169,379 annually, and the salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $122,163-$176,154 annually. Appointment above the minimum of each range is possible based upon experience and is subject to approval.