Attorney

Job Description

Salary is Commensurate with Experience

General Description

The primary role of this position is to provide legal services for the City of Atlanta and its management staff, to include interpretation of laws and regulations, provision of legal advice, preparation and review of legal documentation, management of legal matters, and other legal support as required.  Duties and responsibilities include providing legal counsel and advice to support the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and the Moving Atlanta Forward Program.

The attorney will be responsible for drafting, reviewing and editing legislation to support the goals and objectives of the Departments of Transportation, Public Works, and the Atlanta City Council.  The attorney will also assist with delivery of legal advice to the Atlanta City Council on legislation concerning transportation and public works, taxation, pensions and other matters.   Successful candidates will have knowledge of federal, state and municipal procurement procedures and project delivery.

A qualified candidate should:

Exercise good judgment on legal and strategic issues.

See and think through the big picture of a case, matter, issue or transaction.

Ensure that all critical deadlines are met.

Delegate and supervise work effectively as appropriate.

Proactively identify and anticipate critical legal issues, assign legal research as appropriate, review junior lawyer work product and advise the City Attorney of pertinent legal issues.

Have direct client contact on complex and policy level issues and advice.

As directed or delegated by the City Attorney advise City departments and the City Council on pertinent legal issues.

Keep Senior Management fully informed of critical developments, deadlines and upcoming events.

Keep abreast of new developments in their subject matter field.

Provide advice and counsel on transactional and legislative matters related to their respective subject matter expertise.

Advise City Departments, City Council, and City Boards and Commissions on a variety of legal matters including the legal implications of any action, inaction, or decision.

Prepare, review, and examine contracts, agreements, briefs, bid protests, dispute resolutions, change orders, delay claims, ordinances, and other legal documents for City departments.

Assist in legislative development for the City including proposed ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other legislation related to their respective subject matter expertise.

Prepare resolutions for the City related to litigation.

Perform legal research and provide legal opinions related to subject matter expertise for the City Attorney as assigned.

Respond to internal inquiries regarding various legal issues concerning City business.

Attend and participate in professional groups to stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the specific subject matter fields.

Consistently provide reliable and sound advice, recommendations and judgment to the City Attorney as a sounding board.

Actively participate in the development of others, including more junior lawyers, by presenting topics at Department, sub-group or practice group meetings, particularly in the area of subject matter expertise.

Be available for and provide consultation to other attorneys and staff within the department on matters related to his/her specific area of expertise.

Speak on subject matter expertise at CLE seminars and participate in other community or legal events to enhance the Department’s reputation in the legal community.

Provide prompt and direct feedback on work done by junior lawyers.

Work closely with the City Attorney’s Office, providing updates on the status of cases, matters or transactions and discussing issues related to subject matter expertise in the City, Department or practice group.

Be actively involved in activities such as development and delivery of client and community training and relationship development.

Be actively involved in activities in the Department and the City and display leadership roles in those activities.

Operates the Department of Law’s Document Management System with proficiency.

Be available to provide assistance to the City Attorney at any time the need may arise, recognizing that the City operates on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week schedule.

Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Juris Doctorate degree required. Six to ten (6-10) years of experience as a practicing attorney.  Must be a member of good standing with the State Bar of Georgia or the ability to obtain membership within one (1) year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in municipal, county, and/or constitutional law.

Knowledge of federal, state and municipal  procurement procedures and project delivery.

Knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order.