Assistant or Deputy City Attorney

City of High Point•High Point, NC

23h•Onsite

About The Position

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries. We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world! Our City Attorney’s Office is currently recruiting for a vacancy which may be filled as an Assistant City Attorney and/or Deputy City Attorney. The job title and classification will ultimately be determined by the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. The City Attorney’s Office represents the City of High Point and performs highly complex legal work in a fast-paced environment for a wide variety of clients, including the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and City Staff across more than twenty departments. Similar to a general counsel’s office or in-house attorney’s office in the public or private sector, the focus here is practicing law – with no billable hour goals or business development requirements. The position(s) will be assigned primary practice areas, as well as be responsible for performing other legal research and assignments as directed by the City Attorney. Primary practice areas may include the following: General transactional law. Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and prosecuting complex contracts. Types of contracts will include, but not be limited to, purchase agreements, services agreements, construction agreements, nonprofit organization agreements, interlocal agreements, and economic development agreements. Real property and land use law. This position will provide advice and counsel related to acquisition of real property interests for City projects (right of way, easement, fee simple, lease, et al.), disposition of City owned real property, zoning, land use, planning, development, code enforcement, inspections, and community development matters. Personnel and employment law, including but not limited to administrative law and regulatory compliance, drafting and reviewing personnel policies, guiding management through the grievance process, and litigation avoidance counseling. Public utilities and public services, including but not limited to electric, water, sewer, stormwater, streets and sidewalks, and environmental services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited school of law.
North Carolina State Bar License active and in good standing, or ability to be admitted by comity within six (6) months from date of hire.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License.
All the above qualifications, with a minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Nice To Haves

Experience working for a local government or other general counsel/in-house attorney office setting.
Experience representing local, state, or federal regulatory agencies, boards, or commissions.
Experience with government-related issues at the local, state, or federal level.
Experience drafting, reviewing, and interpreting municipal ordinances, administrative regulations, state law, or federal law.
Experience drafting, negotiating, reviewing, and interpreting complex contracts and other relevant legal documents, while identifying and mitigating legal exposures and risks.
Experience with review and redaction of documents for public records requests.
Familiarity with UNC School of Government, NC League of Municipalities, NC Association of Municipal Attorneys, and/or other local government organizations.
Completion of UNC School of Government Municipal and County Administration course.

Responsibilities

Drafts, reviews, and negotiates (as needed) various legal documents related to municipal operations, including but not limited to complex contracts, resolutions, ordinances, real property related documents, litigation related documents, et al.
Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda, briefs, legal opinions, and other legal documents in response to proposals, questions, and issues presented by the City Council, appointed boards and commissions, management, and staff.
Attends City Council meetings and appointed board and commission meetings, as assigned or requested by the City Attorney.
Represents the City in public meetings, legislative hearings, quasi-judicial hearings, administrative hearings, and courts of law, as assigned or requested by the City Attorney.
Coordinates complex litigation with outside law firms, as assigned or requested by the City Attorney.
Participates and acts as legal advisor and counsellor in City meetings.
Keeps abreast of court decisions and legislative changes related to municipal law and other areas of law relevant to municipalities.
Participates in special projects and other duties as assigned by City Attorney.