Assistant City Attorney

City of Brookfield • Brookfield, WI

2d

About The Position

The Assistant City Attorney acts as a legal advisor to all levels of City government. The position conducts legal research and provides advice across a broad range of topics, including prosecution, constitutional law, open records and meetings law, contract law, employment law, insurance law, governmental regulations, and real estate law, helping to avoid legal problems, expensive claims, and litigation. The position also represents the City before a wide variety of courts and tribunals.

The Assistant City Attorney provides legal counsel as directed by the City Attorney and performs the City Attorney’s duties in their absence. The role monitors City activities, advises City officials and employees, prepares and reviews legal documents, attends meetings to provide counsel, conducts workplace investigations as assigned, prosecutes municipal ordinance violations, and handles litigation involving the City. Evening meeting attendance is sometimes required. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the ADA and related legislation.

Requirements

• Law degree from an accredited college or university.
• Admission to the State of Wisconsin Bar.
• Two years of progressively responsible professional and managerial municipal legal services experience and/or litigation experience following graduation from an accredited law school.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license or otherwise meet the transportation needs of the position.
• Considerable knowledge of municipal law and government processes, Wisconsin statutes and case law, judicial interpretation and precedent, administrative procedure, and rules of evidence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Adobe, and other legal and administrative software.
• Equivalent combinations of training and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal counsel as directed by the City Attorney and perform the City Attorney’s duties in their absence.
• Conduct workplace investigations as assigned.
• Monitor City activities and advise the Common Council, Mayor, committees, commissions, boards, Department Heads, and City employees.
• Research, review, negotiate, draft, and revise ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, indemnification agreements, memoranda, opinions, and other legal documents for proper form and legal compliance.
• Attend Common Council meetings and meetings of City committees, boards, and commissions to provide legal counsel when needed; evening attendance is sometimes required.
• Advise on open records and open meetings, due process procedures, maintaining a proper record, and drafting legally sound findings and decisions.
• Prosecute municipal ordinance violations and conduct defense litigation in suits brought against the City.
• Represent the City, as directed by the City Attorney, before judicial or quasi-judicial bodies and commissions.
• Prepare pleadings, draft and argue motions, conduct discovery, prepare for and participate in hearings or trials, and litigate appeals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree