Senior Assistant Solicitor​/Attorney; Economic Development Attorney

Job Description

The City of Cincinnati Law Department is seeking a transactional attorney to join the Economic Development section. Attorneys in the Economic Development section draft transactional documents and advise the City Administration and elected officials on community and economic development transactions, which range from affordable housing projects to multimillion‑dollar mixed‑use developments. Previous work has included projects such as the Banks development, TQL Stadium, and the Convention Center District, which involves the substantial renovation of the First Financial Center and the forthcoming convention center headquarters hotel project.

The ideal candidate will have a real estate and/or finance background, and experience in drafting business contracts and transactional documents. Excellent drafting, research, communication, and interpersonal skills required. Candidates should possess a minimum of two years relevant legal experience and be licensed in Ohio.

• Modern and complex principles and practices of public law.
• Basic methods of public administration.
• Legal principles, practices and procedures of civil, constitutional, and administrative law.
• Methods and techniques of legal research and transactional practice.
• Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of City government and the Solicitor's office.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations and their past applications.
• Awareness of the organization, duties, powers, authority, policies and procedures of both the City Solicitor's office in general and the division to which the Assistant City Solicitor is assigned in particular.
• Advanced legal writing skills.
• Ethical standards as applied to the City Solicitor's Office.

• Prepare clear, concise, and complex legal position papers and opinions.
• Organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and knowledge of complex legal problems.
• Conduct exhaustive research on complex legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Research legal issues through various computer programs and applications.
• Interact with elected officials, City administration, and the general public.

• Prepare, negotiate, review, and edit documents providing for the acquisition and disposition of real property interests, including sale agreements, deeds, covenants, easements, mortgages, and other instruments for real estate transactions.

• Prepare, negotiate, review, and edit documents providing real property tax abatements and exemptions, loans, grants, job creation tax credits, and other incentives and subsidies for housing and development projects.

• Research legal questions and evaluate the impact on City policies and procedures; assist with various contract negotiations, preparations, and enforcement.
• Provide various written legal opinions to City departments.
• Coordinate office activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the City Solicitor; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Represent the Solicitor’s Office at City Council, Council committees, stakeholder meetings, and related events.
• Review legal publications to keep abreast of current legal issues and cases; attend seminars to keep abreast of new laws.
• Prepare various legal memoranda and correspondence.
• Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional groups and committees.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited academic institution with a minimum of two years relevant legal experience.

Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio.

• Experience managing outside counsel.
• Experience working within or closely with a governmental organization or other complex organization.
• Advanced understanding of corporate formation and structures.
• Experience researching and drafting business contracts and transactional documents.
• Experience in real estate transactions in the State of Ohio, and preferably in Hamilton County, Ohio.
• Background in finance.

Work in an in‑person office setting plus occasional remote work; exposure to computer screens; need to work closely with others.

Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.