Attorney Administration - Attorney I​/II​/III

General Description

Under general direction, this position performs a variety of professional civil and criminal legal duties including preparing cases for trial, drafting resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and related documents, rendering legal opinions, and serving as legal advisor to City boards and commissions.

• Attorney I/II: This position exercises no supervision.
• Attorney III: This position may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff.

• Initiate ordinance compliance proceedings in court.
• Oversee preparation of required legal instruments.
• Prepare and try cases, with or without juries.
• Investigate claims and complaints by or against the City; recommend action to be taken.
• Research and prepare legal documents for trials and proceedings.
• Advise boards and commissions assigned.
• Review, revise, and prepare City ordinances and resolutions.
• Review a variety of contracts and other instruments used by other departments and divisions including bid documents and contracts for services.
• Respond to staff and citizen inquiries; provide assistance and advice as necessary to resolve problems.
• Operate personal and/or City vehicle to and from work sites, meetings, and activities.

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Civil and criminal law and the methods and practices of pleading.
• Principles, methods, materials, and practices used in legal research.

• Operate office equipment including computer equipment.

• Work in a standard office environment.
• Advise boards and commissions, as well as research and prepare legal documents.
• Analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and present such material in a clear and logical form.
• Present and argue cases in court.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

• Attorney I: Experience:
  Experience as a practicing attorney is preferred. Education/Training:
  Experience in a municipal or governmental practice is preferred. A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law is required. License or Certificate: A Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required. Admission to the Bar of the State of Texas is required.
• Attorney II: Experience:
  Minimum of four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney or three (3) years as an attorney practicing municipal law is required. Education/Training:
  At least 20 hours of Continuing Legal Education in the specific area of municipal law during the previous 3 years. License or Certificate: (No details provided).
• Attorney III: Experience:
  Minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a practicing attorney or six (6) years as an attorney practicing municipal law is required. Education/Training:
  At least 40 hours of Continuing Legal Education in the specific area of municipal law during the previous 5 years. License or Certificate: (No details provided).

• Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
  • Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
  • Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
  • Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
  • Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
  • Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

• N = No
• E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
• M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
• I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
• A = Almost Never (