City Attorney

American Fork City • American Fork, UT

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About The Position

American Fork City is seeking an experienced, solutions-oriented City Attorney to serve as the City's chief legal advisor and a trusted partner to City leadership. Working closely with the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, and department directors, the City Attorney provides practical, timely legal counsel to support effective governance and responsible public service. The role helps shape municipal decision-making, protect the City's interests, proactively manage legal risk, and guide the City's growth and development.

The City Attorney leads the City's legal function by establishing processes for delivering in-house legal services, managing litigation and claims, overseeing outside counsel, and helping departments find lawful, practical solutions to operational challenges. The position requires legal expertise, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex legal and organizational challenges with professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Utah and membership in good standing with the Utah State Bar.
• At least six years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience advising organizational leadership, managing complex civil legal matters, and drafting or reviewing contracts, ordinances, resolutions, or comparable legal documents.
• Strong knowledge of Utah municipal law and the legal principles governing local government, including land use, contracts, employment, real property, governmental immunity, public meetings and records, and municipal powers and procedures.
• Excellent legal research, analysis, drafting, negotiation, advocacy, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate legal risks, exercise independent professional judgment, and provide practical, solution-oriented advice.
• Ability to explain complex legal matters clearly to elected officials, employees, boards, commissions, and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate outside counsel, and develop effective legal-service processes.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, emotional intelligence, professional independence, and commitment to public service.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in municipal or local government law, land use, public-sector legal practice, or a closely related area is highly desirable.
• Supervisory, lead attorney, or legal project-management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, department directors, boards, and commissions on municipal operations, policy, and governance.
• Manage civil litigation, claims, negotiations, appeals, and other contested matters; identify legal exposure and recommend risk-reduction strategies.
• Advise on land use, zoning, development agreements, annexations, redevelopment, real property, infrastructure, utilities, and other matters affecting the City's future.
• Advise on Utah's Open and Public Meetings Act, GRAMA, governmental immunity, procurement requirements, employment matters, ethics, and other laws governing Utah municipalities.
• Prepare, review, and interpret ordinances, resolutions, contracts, interlocal agreements, policies, procurement documents, and other legal instruments.
• Develop legal workflows, establish priorities and service standards, manage departmental resources, supervise assigned staff, and determine when specialized outside counsel is appropriate.
• Coordinate with the City prosecutor, outside counsel, risk management partners, and City departments to resolve issues efficiently and support informed decision-making.
• Anticipate legal challenges, provide training and guidance, and help City departments accomplish their goals while protecting the City's legal and operational interests.
• Build systems and processes to support responsive, effective, and cost-conscious legal services.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Retirement benefits through a 401(k) plan
• Life insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Paid time off
• Employee discounts
• Collaborative workplace with knowledgeable, approachable colleagues who value teamwork and public service

What This Job Offers

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