Assistant City Attorney I

Under supervision of the City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney assists the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney in performing technical and professional work as legal advisor to the City Commission, City Manager and department directors on assigned issues of applicable local, State and Federal laws, regulations and ordinances affecting the City with an emphasis on laws, rules and regulations that pertain to claim liabilities.

General
1. Assist in performing the duties of the City Attorney’s Office.
2. Analyze situations or problems and provide professional advice to the City Commission, City Manager and department directors about matters such as legal conditions, issues, changes to State or Federal laws affecting City operations and current and future trends.
3. Issue oral and written legal opinions and/or legal memoranda at the request of the City Attorney, City Commission, City Manager or department directors.
4. Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for City officials and staff. Confer with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings.
5. Research, review and draft ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements and other legal instruments.
6. Serve as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City officials on specialized legal issues.
7. Maintain knowledge of Federal and State laws, court decisions affecting municipalities as well as the City Charter and City Code provisions.
8. Represent the State as Prosecuting Attorney in Municipal Court as assigned.
9. Perform additional related work activities as assigned including giving legal advice and making presentations to councils, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public and attending meetings including City Commission meetings, and Property & Casualty Claims Board meetings.

Litigation
10. Conduct initial assessment of claims and assist claims adjusters with related matters.
11. Assist with coordination of litigation matters and caseload, including initial case assessments and investigations.
12. Obtain, review, and analyze relevant supporting documents, including department files, incident reports, medical records, and witness statements.
13. Prepare, draft, and update legal documents, including correspondence, monthly litigation reports, pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda of law, discovery responses and requests, subpoenas, and documents responsive to discovery and subpoena requests.
14. Evaluate findings, develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
15. Summarize records and reports such as medical records, depositions, internal documents, and incoming discovery.
16. Perform additional related duties as assigned whether implied or required.

1. Graduate of an accredited law school, licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and in good standing with the Texas State Bar.
2. High ethical standards.
3. Excellent research, writing and oral communication skills.
4. Professional and courteous demeanor with a strong sense of discretion.
5. Strong organizational skills.
6. Ability to meet and maintain State mandated continuing legal education requirements.
7. Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents, carry out assigned projects to their completion, establish and maintain effective, pleasant working relationships with employees, City elected and appointed officials, the court system and the general public.
8. Ability to prioritize duties, field questions from public, City employees and appointed/elected officials; apply abstract principles to specific cases on hand.
9. A valid Texas Class C Driver’s License.
10. Proficiency in the use of legal research data bases.

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Three (3) years of substantial litigation or municipal law related work experience.

To Apply, Visit: www.McAllen.net/Careers

1. This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
2. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities over others.
3. This position requires proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, WestLaw and the ability to learn to effectively use job-specific software, including but not limited to: InCode, CivicPlus, and MyCase.