Civil Attorney

City of Great Falls • Great Falls MT, MT

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for providing a wide array of legal services to the City. Key duties include drafting and reviewing legal documents such as agenda reports, pleadings, briefs, motions, and court orders. The role involves providing legal memoranda and guidance, conducting complex legal research, representing the City in civil litigation and appellate proceedings, and prosecuting code violations. Work is performed under the direction of the City Attorney.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
• License to practice law in the state of Montana.
• Admission to, and in good standing with, State Bar of Montana.
• Possession of a valid Montana driver’s license.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a professional team while managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Ability to conduct complex legal research and apply legal principles to practical municipal issues.
• Ability to maintain a working knowledge of Montana law, including civil and criminal procedure, and applicable federal, state, and local laws affecting municipal government.
• Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, analyze risk, and provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice.
• Ability to establish and effective working relationships with elected officials, City leadership, employees, law enforcement personnel, other governmental agencies, and members of the public.
• Ability to consistently provide timely, reliable, and responsive legal services.
• Ability to serve, when assigned, in the Emergency Operations Center within the attorney's area of expertise and maintain required Incident Command System (ICS) certifications, including ICS 100, 200, 700, 800, and ICS 300.

Nice To Haves

• Law firm or in-house experience is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provides timely and accurate legal advice and guidance to City departments, officials, boards, and commissions on a broad range of municipal legal matters.
• Prepares formal legal memoranda addressing significant issues requiring interpretation of law, analysis of complex facts, and practical recommendations for City management.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, policies, proposed legislation, and other legal documents for consideration by the City Commission and, when appropriate, the Montana Legislature.
• Conducts thorough legal research using traditional and electronic research methods and applies that research to provide timely, practical legal advice.
• Prepares pleadings, briefs, motions, case files, and other litigation-related documents, and represents the City in civil litigation, administrative proceedings, and related legal matters.
• Provides testimony and presents legal matters before courts, administrative tribunals, and other governmental bodies, as appropriate.
• Conducts factual investigations by interviewing victims, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, City employees, and other individuals to develop a complete understanding of complex or sensitive matters and effectively represent the City's interests.
• Effectively utilizes standard office technology, including computers, Microsoft Office applications, electronic records management systems, and other software necessary to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Performs related duties as assigned in support of the Legal Department and the City's mission.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level