City Attorney

City Of Leawood Kansas • Leawood, KS

7d

About The Position

The City of Leawood, Kansas, seeks a collaborative, creative, and forward-thinking City Attorney to serve as a trusted legal advisor and member of the City’s executive leadership team. The City Attorney applies knowledge of Kansas municipal law to advise policymakers and staff, identify workable options, communicate legal considerations clearly, and help decision-makers reach pragmatic solutions to complex municipal issues.

The City Attorney provides legal advice and guidance to the Governing Body, City Administrator, City departments, committees, boards, and commissions. The Legal Department drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents; assists with legislative matters; issues advisory opinions; and processes claims involving the City, its officers, and employees.

Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the City Attorney leads the Legal Department and Municipal Court operations, personnel development, and long-range planning. The position provides leadership and oversight to a Deputy City Attorney and an Assistant City Attorney / Prosecutor, and oversees Municipal Court operations supported by a Court Supervisor and five Court Clerks.

In the first year, the City Attorney is expected to build relationships with City leadership and Legal Department employees; gain a comprehensive understanding of active legal matters and organizational priorities; evaluate workloads, workflows, technology, outside counsel relationships, and knowledge management; identify opportunities to improve consistency and efficiency; anticipate legal and regulatory developments; and support professional development, knowledge sharing, succession planning, collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement.

The City Attorney will help Leawood navigate matters spanning development, infrastructure, technology, employment, governance, contracts, public engagement, land use, legislative change, and risk management. The position also offers the opportunity to contribute legal leadership during implementation of the City’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and updates to its Comprehensive Plan, Municipal Code, and Development Ordinance.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Practicing attorney licensed in the State of Kansas.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Must reside in Johnson County, Kansas, within one year of hire.
• Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Twelve or more years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Substantial experience in local government, public-sector law, municipal representation, or legal matters applicable to a full-service municipal organization.
• Experience advising elected or appointed governing bodies.
• Experience in municipal or local government law.
• Experience with contracts and transactional work.
• Experience with land use, planning, zoning, or development.
• Experience with employment and personnel matters.
• Experience with public records and open meetings.
• Experience with litigation and risk management.
• Experience supervising attorneys or professional staff.
• Experience working directly with executive leadership.
• Experience managing outside counsel.
• Previous experience as a City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, County Counselor, public-sector general counsel, or municipal law practitioner.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance to the Governing Body, City Administrator, City departments, committees, boards, and commissions.
• Lead the Legal Department and oversee Municipal Court operations, personnel development, and long-range planning.
• Lead and oversee the City’s legal staff, including the Deputy City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney / Prosecutor.
• Oversee Municipal Court operations, including the work of the Court Supervisor and five Court Clerks.
• Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents.
• Assist with legislative matters, issue advisory opinions, and process claims involving the City, its officers, and employees.
• Apply Kansas municipal law to identify workable legal options and help decision-makers resolve complex municipal issues.
• Develop relationships with the Governing Body, City Administrator, executive leadership, department directors, and Legal Department employees.
• Assess active legal matters, contracts, development issues, litigation, claims, organizational priorities, and emerging risks.
• Evaluate workloads, workflows, technology, outside counsel relationships, and knowledge management to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Create mechanisms to identify legislative, regulatory, technological, and legal developments before they affect municipal operations.
• Support employee development, knowledge sharing, succession planning, engagement, collaboration, innovation, and a positive workplace culture.
• Provide strategic direction for legal aspects of City services and support City planning and organizational priorities.

Benefits

• City-provided vehicle allowance
• Civic membership
• Professional development
• Attendance at local and national industry conferences
• Top-notch facilities
• Governing Body support
• Health and welfare benefits (details available on the City’s employee benefits website)
• Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) coverage

What This Job Offers

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