Legal Affairs Manager (Manager 3)

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets! At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city. With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live. Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving. We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together! We’re looking for a thoughtful, collaborative leader to guide our Legal Affairs team and help shape how SDOT engages with the law in service of Seattle’s communities. In this role, you’ll work across the entire organization and partner closely with colleagues in other City departments—including the Seattle City Attorney’s Office—to build strong, trusted relationships that support sound decision-making. As the Legal Affairs Manager (Manager 3) , you will design, implement, and continuously improve internal processes and programs that help our teams navigate complex legal and risk issues with clarity and confidence. You’ll play a key role in helping staff across the department understand and engage with these programs, making legal concepts approachable and actionable. You’ll also bring people together. This position regularly assembles and participates in cross-departmental, matrixed teams, offering opportunities to collaborate with talented professionals across City government. We’re seeking someone who enjoys guiding a maturing program, identifying opportunities to evolve our work, and inspiring others along the way. In this role, you’ll serve as a trusted leader and advisor to SDOT executives and staff, offering grounded, practical counsel on issues where law, public policy, and transportation meet. You’ll be SDOT’s internal subject matter expert on relevant case law, codes, ordinances, and regulations. You also regularly consult with the City Attorney’s Office to confirm key legal advice and analysis as needed—helping ensure our decisions are both legally sound and aligned with the values we uphold as a public agency.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree and current Washington State Bar admission or the ability to be admitted within three (3) months of hiring.
Seven (7) years of professional experience as a licensed attorney, including experience managing a team of support staff.
OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.
Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Nice To Haves

Strong public speaking and presenting experience; able to digest and report complex legal concepts to a nonlegal audience in simple business-focused language to a variety of internal and external audiences.
Three (3) years of project management experience for large, complex, business process improvement projects.
Three (3) years of experience in strategic planning, policy analysis, and development for senior management and/or elected officials’ staff.
Three (3) years of experience negotiating complex agreements with local, state, and federal agencies.
Knowledge of land use and zoning regulations.
Experience with the surplus sale, management, or acquisition of real property on behalf of federal, state, or local governmental or quasi-governmental agencies.
Experience with right-of-way ownership and title.
Ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of seven (7) subject matter experts across three key legal areas: – Tort law and civil procedure (including discovery) – Public disclosure – Real property transactions and management
Coordinate and analyze SDOT’s public disclosure, records preservation, and claims and litigation team bodies of work.
Provide guidance and legal insight in administrative, municipal, data privacy, constitutional, contract, and federal grant law.
Oversee the department’s claims and litigation portfolio, with a primary focus on tort matters.
Communicate and guide best practices for SDOT’s risk management policy and loss prevention efforts.
Support and regularly consult with the City Attorney’s Office, which litigates cases for SDOT.
Advise executive leadership on litigation strategies and settlement considerations.
Serve as the department’s client representative to the City Attorney’s Office and outside counsel during mediation and arbitration.
Lead the department’s Public Disclosure and Records Retention Program in alignment with City policies and the Washington State Public Records Act.
Manage SDOT’s jurisdictional properties that are not used for right-of-way purposes.
Research original acquisition funding sources and evaluate implications for surplus sale or property acquisition.
Develop, communicate, and implement strategies for disposing of excess properties in ways that support Citywide goals.