POSITION SUMMARYThe City of Fort Lauderdale employees possess a passion for public service demonstrated by a high degree of enthusiasm, self-reliance, and job proficiency. They effectively convey the vision and mission of the organization and provide excellent service and satisfaction to our internal and external customers.
The attorney provides legal assistance to the City Attorney’s Office advising the City Attorney, City Commission, the City Manager’s Office, department-level management and staff on a variety of legal issues.PLEASE NOTE: This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualifying applications have been received.The City offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option, and requires a 3% contribution from employees. New hires are automatically enrolled in FRS. Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan!
That's right! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale! Please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/PublicServiceLoanForgiveness for more information or to see if you qualify.
This job classification is in Management Category I for benefits purposes, which includes Ten (10) additional Management Vacation days per calendar year and a monthly Employee Expense Allowance of $390.00. This is a Non-classified, "at will" position and not subject to Civil Service Rules or any collective bargaining agreement.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSEssential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined in this document, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed in this document, if such duties relate to the position.
- Conduct comprehensive legal research on a multitude of issues to prepare well-grounded legal advice and opinions for the City Attorney, City Commission, departments, and related entities.
- Provide effective legal representation for the City in various judicial and administrative proceedings, including but not limited to court hearings, trials, depositions, and mediations.
- Engage in detailed legal analysis of potential and ongoing litigation, ensuring risks are carefully assessed and addressed.
- Interpret statutes, case law, and other authoritative legal texts to aid in case preparation, ensuring comprehensive document production including opinions, pleadings, and deeds.
- Proactively develop case strategies, advise on the validity of legal cases, and uphold the City’s legal position with expert knowledge of contemporary legal issues.
- Coordinate efforts with outside counsel to ensure consistency with City positions as to legal matters.
- Represent the City’s interests in cases in state and federal courts, including appellate courts and administrative hearings. This includes hearings on motions affecting the City, including but not limited to Motions to Dismiss, to Compel, for Summary Judgment, Case Management Conferences, Pre-Trial hearings, and including arbitrations, mediations, and trials.
- Propound and respond to discovery requests in civil cases.
- Coordinate with various City departments to obtain the information necessary to respond to discovery requests.
- Timely coordinate with various City departments to investigate incidents and accidents as part of defending the City in litigation or potential litigation matters.
- Assist and advise the Risk Management Department, and its adjusters, as needed, on pending matters and other issues that might affect the City from a litigation, liability, and cost perspective.
- Assist City employees, as needed, in preparation for depositions and trial in cases where the City is a party, or the employee is a witness in cases where the City is not a party.
- Initiate and defend in foreclosure matters, including filing answers, responses, motions for surplus funds and summary judgment, where the City is either the Plaintiff or a Defendant.
- Work with Code Department to determine what liens are superior and inferior, and the amount and nature of the lien, when responding to foreclosure lawsuits.
- Advise and assist the City Attorney with pending or potential litigation matters.
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Negotiate settlements and other legal agreements on behalf of the City.
- Provide legal review and advice for claims and complaints by or against the City and its other legal entities; recommends action to be taken by City officials and other representatives.
- Provide opinions related to the City Charter and municipal law matters in general.
- Prepare litigation related Resolutions and Ordinances.
- Prepare proposed legislation and make recommendations to repeal or amend existing City Ordinances.
- Direct the work for and supervise paralegal and administrative assistants.
- Attend City Commission meetings, and other meetings as assigned.
- Perform related work as required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENTJuris Doctorate from an accredited law schoolThree or more years of increasingly responsible experience in municipal or related government law License to practice law in the State of Florida in both state and federal courts, in accordance with the Florida Bar Association requirements1st or 2nd chair trial experience, jury or bench.Experience in drafting and arguing motions, attending mediations and taking depositions, including expert depositionsExperience with Florida municipal law is preferred Special Requirements: Non-Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency but may be required to work in some capacity after the declared emergency. The City Attorney will determine when the employee will be required to work.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Work Environment Frequency Working in Designated Environment Office or similar indoor environment Frequently or Often Outdoor environment Seldom or Never Street environment (near moving traffic) Seldom or Never Construction site Seldom or Never Confined Space Seldom or Never In the community (homes, businesses, etc.) Seldom or Never Lab Seldom or Never Warehouse environment Seldom or Never
PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time but may walk or stand for brief periods of time. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
HOW TO APPLY/ VETERAN INFORMATIONApplications will be reviewed, and the hiring authority will contact those applicants whose application reflects the best match of experience for the position.
The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.
Click here for an overview of employment informationincluding our benefits package and click here for additional managementbenefits.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
