Assistant City Attorney Senior I

City of Charlotte•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

This position provides comprehensive legal services to the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), which is transitioning to the Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The Senior Counsel advises CATS leadership and staff, conducts legal research, prepares legal documents, and represents CATS and the City in legal matters. The role involves close collaboration with the City Attorney’s Office and other City departments to address legal, operational, business, regulatory, and policy issues affecting CATS. The position requires independent legal judgment, the ability to manage complex assignments, and clear communication of legal risks and options to various stakeholders. Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Current license to practice law in the State of North Carolina and membership in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar.
At least seven years of relevant professional experience as a practicing attorney.
Experience conducting complex legal research, preparing legal documents, and providing legal advice to organizational clients.
Experience managing multiple legal matters and working independently with limited supervision.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing legal counsel to a municipality, public agency, public transportation organization, or other complex governmental or regulated organization.
Experience with legal issues involving local government operations, public-sector governance, transportation, administrative or regulatory law, or related practice areas.
Experience advising executive leadership and collaborating with operational, administrative, and technical professionals.

Responsibilities

Provides timely and practical legal advice to CATS leadership, City representatives, department attorneys, and staff on routine and complex matters.
Analyzes matters from legal, operational, policy, and business perspectives and recommends appropriate courses of action.
Advises clients regarding legal requirements, potential risks, available options, and the practical implications of proposed decisions.
Assists senior, lead, or supervising attorneys with highly complex, sensitive, or significant legal matters.
Researches and analyzes constitutional, statutory, regulatory, judicial, and administrative authorities relevant to assigned matters.
Prepares legal opinions, memoranda, correspondence, agreements, pleadings, resolutions, policies, and other legal documents.
Reviews documents and proposed actions for legal sufficiency, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable requirements.
Communicates legal conclusions and recommendations clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Represents CATS in litigation in state and federal court, administrative matters, negotiations, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and other external legal matters, as assigned.
Coordinates with City attorneys, manages outside counsel, consultants, subject-matter experts, and CATS staff in managing assigned matters.
Organizes and manages a diverse legal portfolio, establishes priorities, and completes assignments within required timeframes.
Maintains appropriate legal records, work products, correspondence, and matter documentation.
Monitors local, state, and federal laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and proposed legislation that may affect CATS or City operations.
Identifies and researches legal issues arising within the operational, business, policy, and regulatory framework applicable to public transit and local government.
Supports compliance with applicable constitutional, federal, state, and local legal requirements.
Advises CATS leadership and staff regarding changes in legal requirements and their potential effect on policies, programs, services, and operations.
Develops effective working relationships with CATS leadership and staff, City attorneys, elected and appointed officials, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
Works collaboratively with clients to understand operational needs and develop legally sound and practical solutions.
Participates in meetings, working groups, negotiations, and other activities requiring legal support.
Performs other legal services and related duties as assigned by a Senior II, Lead, or Supervising Attorney.