Civil Attorney

NATURE OF WORK

Professional responsibility for providing a wide array of legal services to the City, including drafting and reviewing agenda reports, pleadings, briefs, motions and proposed court orders; providing legal memoranda and guidance; conducting complex legal research; representing the City in civil litigation and appellate proceedings; and prosecution of code violations. Work is performed under the direction of the City Attorney.

• Provides timely and accurate legal advice and guidance to City departments, officials, boards, and commissions on a broad range of municipal legal matters.
• Prepares formal legal memoranda addressing significant issues requiring interpretation of law, analysis of complex facts, and practical recommendations for City management.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, policies, proposed legislation, and other legal documents for consideration by the City Commission and, when appropriate, the Montana Legislature.
• Conducts thorough legal research using traditional and electronic research methods and applies that research to provide timely, practical legal advice.
• Prepares pleadings, briefs, motions, case files, and other litigation-related documents, and represents the City in civil litigation, administrative proceedings, and related legal matters.
• Provides testimony and presents legal matters before courts, administrative tribunals, and other governmental bodies, as appropriate.
• Conducts factual investigations by interviewing victims, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, City employees, and other individuals to develop a complete understanding of complex or sensitive matters and effectively represent the City's interests.
• Effectively utilizes standard office technology, including computers, Microsoft Office applications, electronic records management systems, and other software necessary to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Performs related duties as assigned in support of the Legal Department and the City's mission.

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
• Law firm or in-house experience is a plus but not required.

• License to practice law in the state of Montana.
• Admission to, and in good standing with, State Bar of Montana
• Possession of a valid Montana driver’s license.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Work collaboratively as a member of a professional team while managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Conduct complex legal research and apply legal principles to practical municipal issues.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Montana law, including civil and criminal procedure, and applicable federal, state, and local laws affecting municipal government.
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Exercise sound judgment, analyze risk, and provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, City leadership, employees, law enforcement personnel, other governmental agencies, and members of the public.
• Consistently provide timely, reliable, and responsive legal services.
• Serve, when assigned, in the Emergency Operations Center within the attorney's area of expertise and maintain required Incident Command System (ICS) certifications, including ICS 100, 200, 700, 800, and ICS 300.

• Exemplary Ethical Conduct
• Collaborative Team Player
• Strong Sound Judgment
• Innovative Problem Solving/Analysis
• Effective Leadership
• Clear and Professional Written and Verbal Communication Proficiency

This position does not supervise any other positions.

Work is…