The City of Newport News is seeking a full-time attorney to focus on public safety. The ideal candidate will have prosecutorial experience and broad knowledge and experience in local government law. The specific job duties will depend upon the successful candidate’s experience and interests but will have a primary focus on public safety, including representation of the police, fire, and codes compliance departments, to include prosecution of codes violations. We are accepting applications from attorneys for a full-time position as an Assistant City Attorney I or higher. Salary and hiring position negotiable depending upon experience and qualifications with an anticipated hiring range between $95,000 and $105,000. The City provides an excellent benefits package. Must be a member of the Virginia State Bar in good standing. The position will remain open until it is filled. Please complete a City application to include resume, salary requirements, Virginia State Bar number and writing sample. EOE.
General Statement Of Responsibilities Provides a limited range of professional legal services to assigned City departments, various boards and commissions, City Council and Constitutional Officers, other municipal organizations and to staff. Generally regarded as an entry level position for attorneys having three years of related experience or less.
Work Behaviors/Responsibilities General Counsel Relationships: Acts as general counsel to specific City departments or other municipal organizations whose demands for legal services are typically limited in number and complexity.
Litigation: Litigation of non-complex cases in state courts, typically in courts not of record and occasionally in courts of record. Occasionally required to prepare briefs or memoranda for submission to the courts. Development and application of expertise in civil procedure and the rules of evidence in state courts.
Subject Matter Expertise: Development and application of expertise in specific subject matter areas relevant to matters litigated. Occasional legal research into further specific applications of basic legal principles.
In Addition: Demonstration of strong organizational skills required for successful management of large numbers of cases.
Improvement of knowledge of current developments in relevant areas of the law through continuing legal education. Satisfaction of annual mandatory continuing legal education requirements imposed by the Virginia State Bar.
Work is performed with general supervision after an orientation period, and thereafter as requested or necessary, typically with a more senior attorney specifically assigned to provide training, guidance and technical assistance.
May assume responsibilities normally assigned to other job ranks depending on demands of the Office.
May assist with responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
May attend and provide legal counsel at various committee, board and commission meetings.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the City Attorney.
Performance Standard Must be a team player who functions successfully in a collaborative work environment and communicates effectively with other members of the City Attorney’s Office.
Must have the ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, City department staff, citizens and counsel for third parties in an environment that frequently requires managing conflicting work demands and meeting tight deadlines.
Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.
Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Basic knowledge of a wide range of legal principles.
Thorough knowledge of methods of legal research, including LexisNexis and Westlaw, and of methods of investigating background and evidentiary facts, including use of internet resources.
Analytical and organizational skills appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed.
Writing skills appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed.
Verbal communication skills appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed.
Understanding of and use of word processing software and Windows-based computer and software systems.
Education And Experience Must be a member of the Virginia State Bar in good standing.
Special Requirements Admitted to the practice of law as an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar. Valid driver’s license and an acceptable background check.