City Attorney

City of Rockville•Md 20850, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Rockville is seeking a trusted legal advisor and visionary organizational leader who brings strong municipal law expertise, sound judgement, and a highly collaborative management approach to serve as the City Attorney. Reporting to the Mayor and Council, the City Attorney is the City’s chief legal officer. Essential job duties of the City Attorney include advising the Mayor and Council, City Manager, City Clerk and department directors regarding the law related to city matters and operations. The City Attorney will also represent the city in all legal proceedings, prepare city ordinances and other legal documents, retain outside counsel for specialized legal services, and review and approve all city contracts as to legal form. The role also involves managing the overall operation of the City Attorney’s office, including staff management and development. The selected candidate will possess and demonstrate a strong foundation in municipal law, sound judgement, integrity, and a strong work ethic. They will maintain awareness of federal, state, and local legal developments, anticipate issues, and address risk proactively through policy review, procedure updates, and code changes. The role requires engaging as a solution-oriented partner with city leadership and departments, acting as an innovative problem solver that effectively communicates legal risks, tradeoffs, and options. The City Attorney will translate complex legal concepts into plain language and communicate clearly and effectively, remaining steady and measured under pressure. Providing effective leadership of the City Attorney’s Office with the ability to effectively manage workload, streamline processes, set clear priorities, and create an office culture that supports staff development, accountability, and consistent service delivery is also essential.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school is required.
Seven (07) years of experience in the active practice of public or municipal law.
At least three (03) years supervisory/management experience.
Member in good standing of the in the State Bar of Maryland or be eligible to practice law in Maryland upon appointment.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience in a municipal setting in the active practice of law, in areas of litigation, land use, redevelopment, municipal utilities, contracts, and/or public safety is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Advising the Mayor and Council, City Manager, City Clerk and department directors regarding the law related to city matters and operations.
Representing the city in all legal proceedings, preparing city ordinances and other legal documents.
Retaining outside counsel for specialized legal services.
Reviewing and approving all city contracts as to legal form.
Manage the overall operation of the City Attorney’s office including staff management and development.
Maintain awareness of federal, state and local legal developments.
Anticipate issues and address risk proactively through policy review, procedure updates and code changes.
Engage as a solution-oriented partner with the Mayor and Council, City Manager, City Clerk and city departments.
Engage as an innovative problem solver that effectively communicates legal risks, tradeoffs, and options to resolve or move issues forward.
Translate complex legal concepts and issues into plain language for clarity and understanding.
Clearly and effectively communicate and remain steady and measured under pressure.
Provide effective leadership of the City Attorney’s Office with the ability to effectively manage workload, streamline processes, set clear priorities, and create an office culture that supports staff development, accountability, and consistent service delivery.