Assistant City Attorney II

City of Miami Beach•Miami Beach, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This complex, fast-paced position primarily handles litigation-related work, including pre-suit and in-suit case preparation and trial. The attorney represents the City in complex civil and appellate litigation and administrative hearings, performs pretrial, trial, and appellate work, develops litigation strategies, and advises City departments on legal matters. The position also provides legal advice on complex issues, researches applicable law, drafts and reviews legal documents and legislation, advises employees about litigation and testimony, and supports the City’s compliance with legal requirements. The attorney may attend Commission, committee, and board meetings, supervise outside counsel, and perform other related duties as assigned. The work is typically performed in an office, courtrooms, and meeting rooms. The position requires regular and punctual attendance and requires reporting to work as directed during emergencies as an essential City employee. The role serves elected officials, City employees, the press, and the public, and requires ethical conduct and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of law.
One to seven years of experience relevant to the major duties or essential functions of the position.
Current membership in the State Bar of Florida.
Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
Knowledge of civil and administrative law principles and practices, particularly as they relate to municipal governments.
Knowledge of state and federal court procedures, rules of evidence, case-preparation interview techniques, pleadings, and effective court-case presentation practices.
Knowledge of legal research and investigation methods and techniques.
Knowledge of the Municipal Code, City Charter, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, court decisions, and other legal requirements related to municipal government functions, operations, and personnel.
Knowledge of legal communication practices, City rules and policies applicable to the work, public-official and administrative-agency responsibilities in Florida, Florida public-records and public-meetings law, and City human-resources policies and labor-contract provisions.
Ability to analyze complex legal issues, research and organize facts, conduct legal risk-benefit analysis, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.
Ability to review case files, identify action items, and proactively advance cases toward trial readiness.
Ability to present facts, law, and arguments clearly, logically, and persuasively.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
Ability to interpret and explain state and federal law, regulations, legislation, and constitutional provisions affecting City operations.
Ability to develop litigation strategy and represent the City effectively in hearings, courts, and meetings.
Ability to draft clear, concise, and competent legal and other written materials, including briefs, resolutions, ordinances, agreements, contracts, proposed legislation, reports, correspondence, and discovery responses.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex or unfamiliar principles to non-technical audiences.
Ability to remain neutral when issues involve competing political agendas.
Ability to use tact, discretion, and diplomacy in sensitive situations and when dealing with concerned or upset individuals.
Ability to develop innovative and creative solutions consistent with the City’s strategic plan.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Strong understanding of ethical behavior and ability to comply with City ethics and conflicts-of-interest policies.
Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Applicants must detail related work experience on the application and keep their NEOGOV profile information current; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

Responsibilities

Represent the City in complex civil and appellate litigation and before local, state, and federal administrative hearings.
Perform all phases of pretrial, trial, and appellate work.
Develop litigation strategies and alternatives; prepare cases for trial by drafting briefs, pleadings, and motions and conducting discovery and depositions.
File motions and briefs and appear in court on the City's behalf, including at trial.
Consult with legal staff of other entities on joint cases.
Supervise case presentation when outside counsel is used and oversee external attorneys in areas such as labor and employment law.
Advise department directors on litigation status and represent the City in negotiations to resolve issues involving litigation risk.
Provide legal advice to City departments on complex issues; research legal issues, statutes, and case law; and draft or review opinions, resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and other legal documents.
Review and draft recommended changes to proposed legislation.
Advise department directors, managers, supervisors, and employees about their roles in litigation, responses to the public and news media regarding legal issues and litigation, and preparation for court or administrative-hearing testimony.
Represent the City regarding affirmative legal responsibilities and provide independent assessment of civil liberties and rights issues; advise and direct employees to support legal compliance.
Appear at Commission, committee, and board meetings as assigned.
Review, research, draft, and edit ordinances at the request of the City Attorney, City Commission, or City Administration; attend meetings to explain, discuss, redraft, and negotiate ordinances.
Draft, review, and edit official public notices and documents.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance and report to work as directed during an emergency as an essential City employee.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, coworkers, the press, the public, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Serve the public and fellow employees honestly and with integrity, in accordance with City ethics and conflicts-of-interest policies.