Staff Attorney 1

City of Chattanooga•Chattanooga, TN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Attorney 1 is the first level in a two-level staff attorney series within the City Attorney’s Department. The position provides legal advice and representation to the City, its officers, employees, departments, boards, commissions, committees, and staff. It monitors legal developments and supports compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations; drafts, reviews, and negotiates legal instruments; and represents the City in litigation and before courts and administrative agencies. The role also supports ordinance and code enforcement, debt and damages collection, public hearings, public inquiries, and the maintenance of City legal records. The position is based at City Hall Annex. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, although hours may vary with assignments or projects. Irregular hours, including evenings, may be required. This is an exempt position. Pre-employment screening includes a background check.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university.
Licensure to practice law in Tennessee; admission to Tennessee and federal courts; and good standing with the Tennessee Supreme Court.
A license to practice in state and federal courts in Tennessee.
Strong working knowledge of the Tennessee and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to research, analyze, and apply case law, legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems.
Ability to analyze situations and provide legal advice and counsel.
Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Ability to draft legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, policies, memoranda, opinions, correspondence, pleadings, and responses to pleadings.
Ability to interpret, explain, and enforce department and City policies and procedures.
Ability to prepare and try cases in federal, state, and municipal courts and administrative law forums.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; follow oral and written instructions; and establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and the public.
Knowledge of City Attorney’s office operations and services; the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of a City Attorney; applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, and statutes; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; litigation review and settlement; municipal code prosecution; caseload management; legal research; civil, constitutional, and administrative law; municipal, superior, and appellate court proceedings; contract drafting and negotiation; City department organization and legal authority; and modern office procedures, methods, equipment, computers, and applicable software.

Nice To Haves

Five years of practicing civil law is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Track legal developments to monitor compliance with applicable laws.
Draft, review, and negotiate ordinances, amendments, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, permits, licenses, and other legal instruments.
Provide legal advice to City Council, department administrators, boards, commissions, committees, and City staff, and participate in formulating City policies.
Review and interpret applicable constitutions, charters, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, court decisions, and other legal authorities, and ensure compliance.
Prepare, review, and negotiate legal documents and materials, including motions, pleadings, memoranda, immunity agreements, defense claims, legal opinions, petitions, special actions, briefs, subpoenas, contracts, and court coverage instructions.
Represent the City, its officers, and employees in litigation, including preparing cases, presenting evidence, developing case theories, drafting filings, trying matters, handling appeals, and appearing before federal and state courts and administrative agencies.
Assist with collecting debts and damages owed to the City.
Assist with enforcing City ordinances, codes, and traffic regulations, and coordinate and facilitate related prosecution activities.
Monitor case status for filing legal papers and payment of civil penalties.
Provide legal counsel to City departments regarding applicable codes, ordinances, statutes, and laws, and attend department meetings to communicate and obtain information.
Conduct public hearings and coordinate public comment periods.
Respond orally and in writing to complaints, public comments, and inquiries from the general public.
Review local ordinances, state codes, federal laws and statutes, and the U.S. Constitution to resolve legal issues.
Prepare correspondence, memoranda, briefings, management reports, and other documents.
Coordinate the filing of legal advertisements with the County Clerk, newspapers, and others.
Serve as custodian for ordinances, Board minutes, docket files, and other legal documents.
Meet regular attendance requirements, maintain effective interpersonal relationships, and perform essential functions in a timely manner, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Perform other duties as assigned.