Attorney

About the City Attorney’s Office

The City Attorney serves as chief legal advisor to the Council, the Mayor and all City departments; represents the City in legal proceedings, including the prosecutorial function before Municipal Court. This position provides leadership and general administrative oversight to the City’s 15.75 FTE Legal Department and contributes as a member of the City’s senior management team on strategy and policy.

The City Attorney will provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight to the City Attorney’s Office and its employees. They will develop and implement programs and policies and support the City’s goals to enhance organizational effectiveness, foster a positive work environment and contribute to the City’s long‑term successes and financial stability. The City Attorney serves as a member of the City’s executive management team and will work collaboratively with the Executive Department, City Council and other City departments on strategy and policy to ensure that the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services.

They will coordinate and provide comprehensive professional municipal legal services for the City with a focus on option‑based advice. The City Attorney will effectively engage and collaborate with community members; local, state, federal agencies; and tribal nations to ensure City government is effectively serving its community and partners.

Leadership:
Serves as a member of the City’s senior leadership team. Provides information and advice to the Mayor, City Council, and leadership team on strategic planning and accomplishment of City mission goals and objectives. Coordinates the Department's activities with those of other City departments and offices to ensure a consistent approach towards common projects and interests and the cost‑effective delivery of services.

Legal Department Management:
Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the work of the Legal Department, including providing legal counsel to the elected officials and City departments, prosecuting crimes and misdemeanors under municipal law, and overseeing the City’s risk management and liability and property and insurance programs.

Legal Counsel:
Directly or through staff, researches federal, state and local laws and regulations, and issues legal opinions and provides option based legal counsel to the elected and appointed officials of the City and to various City boards and commissions. Maintains close liaison with the Mayor, City Council, City departments, boards and commissions. Staffs or attends all regular City Council meetings, and committee meetings to provide legal guidance to elected officials.

Legal Documents:
Drafts legal documents on behalf of the City, including ordinances, resolutions, code provisions, contracts, and other legal instruments. Approves as to form and content all City legal documents prior to execution by the Mayor or other approving authority. Oversees the preparation, maintenance, and updating of the City Municipal Code and related documents.

Litigation:
Directly or through staff, brings legal action on behalf of the City. Defends the City, its officials and employees acting on behalf of the City, when charged with violation of law or regulation. Hires special (outside) legal counsel to provide special expertise or to handle exceptional legal workload.

City Prosecutor:
Directly or through staff, prosecutes criminal violations before the Municipal Court. Works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies to deal with patterns of criminal activity and code violations. Recommends code provisions to address nuisance, disruptive, or criminal behavior in the City.

Risk Management:

Oversees the City’s risk management and loss liability programs. Recommends levels and types of liability insurance coverage and procures necessary insurance protection; recommends and manages self‑insured liability coverage and funds; and provides for efficient claims processing and management. Works with City departments to review liability risk situations and to manage and reduce City exposure to adverse…