Assistant City Attorney I

City of Roanoke, Virginia • Roanoke, VA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides legal services to the Department of Human and Social Services (DSS), focusing on Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services. This role involves attending court, primarily in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and potentially representing DSS on appeals to higher courts. Responsibilities include preparing cases for trial, interviewing witnesses, examining law and evidence, and drafting legal documents such as motions, pleadings, and briefs. The position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with public officials and the general public. The ideal candidate will have one to five years of experience in social services issues or family law, along with litigation experience. A law degree from an accredited law school and Virginia State Bar membership are required. The City of Roanoke is committed to diversity, inclusion, and fostering an open work environment.

Requirements

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Virginia State Bar membership required.
• Experience in Windows, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints orally or in writing.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Eligibility to practice law in the state of Virginia.

Nice To Haves

• One to five years of experience in working on Social Service issues or family law.
• One to five years related experience and/or training in the practice of law with litigation, social services, and/or family law experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal services exclusively to the City’s Department of Human and Social Services, advising the Director and other department groups on legal matters.
• Attends meetings of boards and commissions of the City and renders on-the-spot legal advice.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, releases, and other difficult legal documents on behalf of the City.
• Investigates, processes, and litigates claims against the City.
• Prepares cases for trial, interviews witnesses, examines law and evidence.
• Represents the City in trial and appellate litigation.
• Prepares formal legal opinions for the signature of the City Attorney.
• Conducts title searches, certifies titles, and handles closings.
• Renders legal advice on a daily basis to officers, departments, and agencies of the City designated by the City Attorney.
• Studies City, State, and Federal and general municipal law for information and precedents bearing on City legal problems.
• Provides legal support for the Department of Human and Social Services in areas such as foster care placement, termination of parental rights, adult guardianship appointments, inter-jurisdictional disputes, Child Protective Orders, emergency removal orders for children, and Children’s Services Act proceedings.
• Responds to subpoenas for records.
• Represents the City in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the Circuit Court.
• Provides legal representation to the Roanoke Interagency Council, which addresses at-risk youth.
• Supervises clerical assistants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level