Senior Assistant City Attorney

City of Houston•900 Bagby-City Hall Annex, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Houston Office of the City Attorney seeks a solutions-focused attorney for its Real Estate section to handle legal matters involving the Houston Airport System. The Office provides municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and employees, guided by quality and service, partnership and teamwork, integrity and candor, dignity and diversity, and innovation and imagination. Its approximately 100 attorneys work across 10 legal practice sections. All members are expected to be committed to “Service Through Law.” The position handles airport contracts, real estate matters, legal counseling, policy and code work, and related disputes and projects. The attorney works with the FAA, air carriers, government agencies, administrative and litigation teams, and outside counsel as assigned. The role is based at 900 Bagby and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., subject to change; extended hours may be needed to accommodate workload demands. Applicants must have a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, basic computer skills, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office. For Senior Assistant City Attorney II, at least 13 years of legal practice is required; for Senior Assistant City Attorney III, at least 18 years is required. Applicants must be active members in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to federal court. Texas licensure must remain current as a condition of employment. Official proof of the J.D. and Texas Bar membership is required if selected.

Requirements

Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association-accredited college of law.
Basic computer skills and working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
For Senior Assistant City Attorney II: at least 13 years of experience practicing law.
For Senior Assistant City Attorney III: at least 18 years of experience practicing law.
Active membership in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligibility for admission to federal court.
Maintain a current license to practice law in Texas as a condition of employment.
If selected, provide official proof of a J.D. degree and membership in the Texas State Bar.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other airport entities.
Knowledge of and experience applying the FARs.
Experience handling administrative hearings.
Familiarity with the Texas Property Code.
Exceptional contract negotiation and drafting skills.
Experience drafting easements and licenses.
Experience reviewing title and determining interests in real property.
Experience with commercial leases and/or leases with federal entities.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
Initiative to identify and solve legal issues beyond real estate or contracts.
Experience working with federal, state, and local agencies, especially on projects and agreements involving airport real property.
Experience negotiating sophisticated federal transactions.
Experience negotiating contracts, including real property development agreements.
Proficiency with Office 365, including Word, Outlook, and Excel, and use of technology in the practice of law.
Willingness to work extended hours as needed to accommodate workload demands.
Excellent communication skills.
Above-average academic and professional achievement.
Eligible veteran applicants who meet the stated qualifications and other conditions are preferred in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

Responsibilities

Draft, negotiate, and manage airport contracts, including concession and professional services agreements.
Handle airport real property matters, including hangar leases and development agreements, access easements, utility placement agreements, right-of-way location and determination, and airport buffer retention.
Advise clients on airport rules and statutes, including the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
Draft and revise, and advise clients on, City policies, procedures, and City Code provisions related to airports and real property.
Work with the FAA and public and private air carriers to negotiate and draft agreements involving airport real property.
Review and comment on proposed federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Perform title review and draft documents related to ownership and operation of airport real property.
Work with administrative and litigation teams on disputes involving transactions relating to Houston’s airports.
Complete special projects assigned by management, including research on laws applicable to the traveling public, airport operators, and stakeholders, including matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VI, labor and employment, public health, grant assurances, nondiscrimination charges, Part 13, and Part 16.
Manage outside counsel as assigned.