Assistant City Attorney - Legislative Counsel

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. The Denver City Attorney's Office (CAO) is searching for an Assistant City Attorney - Senior on the Legislative Counsel Unit for the Denver City Council and to assist in managing the CAO's legislative matters. Legislative Counsel attorneys advise clients on highly complex issues of municipal law. The CAO is one of the largest public law offices in Colorado, with 175 attorneys and administrative staff. The CAO serves as chief legal counsel to all City agencies, departments, offices, boards, commissions and authorities, including the Mayor, the Auditor, the Clerk and Recorder and City Council. The CAO provides an inclusive and diverse work environment in which every person has the opportunity to achieve the highest professional and personal development and is accorded the highest degree of dignity and respect. The Legislative Counsel attorneys work collaboratively in a very fast paced environment, representing the thirteen elected members of the City Council. The attorney in position will attend City Council meetings, Mayor-Council meetings, and the City Council committees. The Assistant City Attorney - Senior should have experience in municipal law, including home rule authority, TABOR, open records laws, administrative hearings, constitutional questions, land use law, municipal finance, and charter and code interpretation. They will have a primary role in staying abreast of all changes in the law at the local, state, and federal level that may impact the city. Annually from January to May, the Legislative Counsel attorneys assists the Mayor and the City Council to formulate positions on state legislation introduced in the Colorado General Assembly. As part of this process the Legislative Counsel attorneys assist the City team in gathering information and determining the potential impact of such proposed legislation and help develop a strategy for the City's response. Legislative Counsel attorneys must have experience determining the relative authority between the Colorado General Assembly and municipal home rule as it pertains to matters of local and statewide concern.

Requirements

• We are looking for an individual who exhibits good common sense and sound judgment and understands the City's unique and diverse demographics.
• The Legislative Counsel Unit operates at the intersection of law and policy and the Assistant City Attorney-Senior must be able to consider political considerations when rendering legal advice.
• They must have extensive experience working with elected officials and a demonstrated ability to develop and manage projects and advise legislative bodies.
• The successful candidate should have experience researching and drafting legislation, experience with initiatives and administrative hearings, strong research and writing skills, and an understanding of the interplay between federal, state, and local laws.
• Education requirement: Doctor of Jurisprudence degree or Bachelor of Laws degree.
• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience as an attorney at law.
• Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.
• License/Certifications: Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent communication skills
• Substantial experience advising legislative bodies and working in a political environment
• Significant experience resolving issues in a fast paced and complex legal environment
• Extensive knowledge of the local, state, and federal legislative process
• Strong legal editing, writing and analytical skills
• Mastery of the art of collaboration

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assist in briefing City and CAO leadership on local, state and federal legislation that may impact Denver, including proposed legislation.
• Draft complex legislation, charter amendments, ordinances, and resolutions requested by City Council.
• Conduct legal research and draft legal memoranda.
• Monitor cases affecting home rule authority and assist with amicus brief writing.
• Assist in responding to open records requests.
• Troubleshoot and help resolve problems and critical incidents, and communicate timely issues directly to the City Attorney.
• Organize and present CLE's on key municipal law changes to CAO.
• Demonstrate flexibility to learn and become proficient in new areas of the law as they emerge.
• Balance internal and external pressures in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Manage issues that arise during both regular business hours and off hours, including weekends and holidays, in a calm, thoughtful manner and ensure lines of communication are open and transparent.
• Resolve issues and make decisions that include multiple perspectives and solve underlying problems.
• Remain abreast of news and current affairs.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 wellness day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees