Senior Assistant City Attorney

City of Grand Prairie•Grand Prairie, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This senior attorney position will be assigned to the Civil Division - Litigation and Public Safety to focus on complex legal issues at the senior attorney level. The role involves Civil Litigation, advising the Police Department on Constitutional matters (1st, 4th, and 14th Amendment), Code Compliance, including Chapter 125 and 54 Nuisance Abatement, and Civil Rights issues. Additionally, the position will advise the Housing and Environmental Management Departments on regulatory compliance, including HUD and TCEQ regulations, and advise City departments on subpoenas and requests for records under the Texas Public Information Act. The role also includes serving as legal advisor to the Building Advisory and Appeals Board and representing the City before some administrative bodies. This position may have supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Licensed by the State Bar of Texas.
Valid Class C Driver’s License.
Five years minimum practicing law.
Three or more years of experience in municipal law preferred with focus or specialization in one of the following: City contracts and procurement matters, Federal Constitutional law, Police Legal Advisor on Criminal Procedure or Penal Code matters, Code Compliance, including Chapter 125 and 54 Nuisance Abatement, Civil Rights issues; Housing, Environmental, or regulatory compliance; or practice before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Housing and Urban Development, or Texas Public Utility Commission.
Licensed by the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas and/or 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, or the ability to obtain licensure within six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years municipal law experience or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Assists the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorneys with advising all City departments and managers on legal matters affecting the City.
Acts as the primary attorney assigned to handling specialty legal areas including advising the Police Department and other departments as needed on Constitutional matters (1st, 4th, 5th and 14th Amendments), Code Compliance, including Chapter 125 and 54 Nuisance Abatement, and Civil Rights issues; advises the Housing and Environmental Management Departments on regulatory compliance.
Advise the Police and Fire Departments on legal matters including civil service, legal issues under Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Provides legal services for responding to subpoenas and requests for records under the Texas Public Information Act and other applicable regulations.
Drafts or reviews City contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases, deeds, easements, and meeting agenda items.
Advises and attends meetings of the Building Advisory and Appeals Board, represents the City before some administrative bodies as assigned, and advises on Open Meetings issues and Parliamentary Procedure.
Maintains current information on all pertinent federal, state and municipal laws and case rulings; monitors and advises on legislation that could impact the operations of the City.
Provides legal counsel to elected and appointed officials, boards, commissions, committees, and City departments based on interpretation of federal, state, county, and City constitutions, charters, statutes, ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, court decisions, administrative law decisions, and other legal authority.
Maintains a general understanding of all aspects of municipal law and functions; answers questions from all City departments on assigned areas of practice.
Makes presentations before the City Council, boards, commissions, staff, civic groups and the general public as needed.
Prepares text for new ordinances or amendments to current ordinances upon approval of the City Attorney, and determines appropriate enforcement.
Assists the City Attorney in representing officers and employees of the City in litigation or administrative matters arising out of the conduct of their office or duties in the course of their employment.
Collaborates with outside counsel on assigned matters as approved by the Deputy City Attorney or the City Attorney.
Represents the City, or manages the work of outside counsel in representation of the City, in some litigation and administrative hearings, such as nuisance abatement litigation, or cases appearing before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or the Texas Public Utility Commission.
Performs other duties as assigned by a Deputy City Attorney or the City Attorney.
Regular and dependable attendance is required.