City Attorney-City of Brighton

Salary: $168,119.55 – $230,053.31 Annually
Hiring salary range: $170,000 – $185,000

Closing Date: 4/19/21

DEFINITION
Under general direction, provides legal counsel to City departments and elected officials; Directs legal staff and outside counsel engaged in the provision of legal advice to protect the interests of the City.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXCERCISED
Executive-level policy direction is provided by the City Council, though the City Attorney’s authority and responsibilities are primarily established by City Charter and State Law. The incumbent has supervisory authority over assigned City staff, which includes a Deputy City Attorney, legal secretary/executive administrator and contract Prosecuting Attorney.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Serves as the chief legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, City Staff, and the City’s various Boards and Commissions.
2. Serves the City’s interests in various contract negotiations.
3. Researching/preparing drafts of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents as requested by City Council and City manager or as otherwise appropriate.
4. Plans, organizes, and directs all legal programs and activities for the City.
5. Advises any officer or department head of the City in matters relating to his/her official duties when so requested.
6. Directs the preparation and maintenance of necessary records and reports.
7. Interprets the City charter, ordinances, codes, resolutions and policies as requested by City Council, City staff, or City boards and commissions.
8. Identifies potential legal issues raised by City ordinances, policies and procedures and recommends remedial actions to the City.
9. Presents cases on behalf of the City in municipal court and administrative hearings. Maintains strong community and professional legal contacts to represent City interests.
10. Advises the City on all issues of municipal, state, federal, civil, business, and constitutional law.
11. Apprises appropriate City officials and employees of new legal development affecting Cityoperations.
12. Attends various City meetings as required to provide legal advice to the City and perform other duties as required.
13. Participates with City Council and City staff in the development of goals, objectives and plans.
14. Manages, supervises, and reviews the work of legal and support staff, as well as, managing the office budget, support contracts, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
1. The candidate must have full knowledge of writing ordinances and resolutions.
2. Current literature, laws, regulations, and developments, as well as various agencies that impact municipal legal activities.
3. Judicial procedures and rules of evidence, methods of legal research; established precedents applicable to municipal activities.
4. Ability to use computer software
5. Principles and applications of civil, criminal and administrative law; pertinent laws relating to Council meetings, zoning, subdivision of land, redevelopment, eminent domain, conflicts of interest, public records and labor laws.
6. Public relations practices and techniques.
7. Research methods and report writing techniques.
8. Current principles and practices of public legal practice program development and administration, tort law and liability insurance litigation.

Ability to:
1. Maintain confidentiality of information consistent with applicable federal, state, city rules and regulations.
2. Ability to become quickly familiar with, interpret and explain the City of Brighton Home Rule Charter and Brighton Municipal Code
3. Ability to analyze and interpret procedural and legal information.
4. Ability to communicate verbal, written and electronic responses, reports and findings in a clear effective and professional manner.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Council, City staff, members of the public, the business community and others encountered in the course of City business. Must be inclusive in approach and able to work with a diverse population.
6. Ability to communicate verbal, written and electronic responses, reports and findings in a clear effective and professional manner.
7. Ability to exercise considerable initiative and sound judgment.
8. Ability to use computer technology, LexisNexis and to develop a functional expertise with computerized systems and supporting software for presentations and spreadsheets.
9. Ability to see and read instructions, reports and characters on a computer screen.
10. Ability to talk and hear in person and on the phone. Must possess the ability to speak in a manner that is easily understood by City personnel, consultant, business professionals and the public.
11. Ability to work in an environment that involves amounts of sitting, standing, walking, bending and stooping for short periods of time.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Minimum of 10 years in municipal legal experience as a practicing attorney, with some supervisory experience over legal staff, highly desired. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelors of Law (L.L.B.) Degree from an American
Bar Association accredited law school preferred. Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado and must be in good standing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid Colorado driver’s license