Senior Attorney - Manager of Legal Department

Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Attorney is responsible for managing the day-to-day legal responsibilities of NBU by providing legal counsel and support to New Braunfels Utilities (“NBU”). NBU, as an agency of the City of New Braunfels, is subject to a wide-range of local, state, and federal rules and regulations. The Senior Attorney must be knowledgeable in municipal law, procurement law, public finance, real estate, construction law, regulatory compliance, and city ordinances. The Senior Attorney should possess significant transactional experience. The Senior Attorney is expected to give practical advice and recommendations to NBU management and staff. The Senior Attorney will assist the Director of Legal Services and / or General Counsel in overseeing the legal department, NBU's ethics program, and the legislative process. The Senior Attorney will report to the Director of Legal Services and manage one attorney, two legal assistants, outside counsel, and legal work from the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintains the highest level of professional ethics.

Assists the Director of Legal Services and / or General Counsel in managing the legal department.

Provides legal counsel and support to NBU and conducts legal research.

Manages, drafts, reviews, and negotiates numerous purchasing contracts on a regular basis.

Ensures that NBU operates within the appropriate legal governance framework and takes ultimate responsibility for the identification and management of legal risks across all areas.

Views issues and concerns through NBU's perspective and focuses on the right outcome for NBU at all times.

Identifies key issues and proposes multiple possible solutions or resources needed to reach optimum solution for NBU.

Thinks first from principles rather than being solely guided by pre-established documents, procedures, processes or historical practices.

Handles complex legal and business concepts in a highly nuanced, progressive environment with varied constituencies.

Understands and respects NBU's standards, policies, City ordinances, and local, state, and federal regulations; drafts, reviews and / or provides legal direction for NBU policies.

Reads and reviews statutes, legal opinions and other documents to maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal legislation and jurisprudence affecting municipal utility operations, programs and activities.

Investigates claims and negotiates settlements based upon applicable laws and in a timely manner.

Assists Director of Legal Services and / or General Counsel on all major contract and business negotiations; drafts agreements that minimize risks and maximize NBU’s legal rights.

Assists Director of Legal Services and / or General Counsel in managing the ethics team, including handling ethics inquiries, conducting ethics investigations, developing materials, and training staff.

Assists Director of Legal Services and / or General Counsel with legislative matters, including tracking proposed federal and state bills, analyzing proposed legislation, and collaborating with NBU's legislative team.

Assists with overseeing all aspects of litigation, including directing outside counsel, coordinating responses to discovery requests, and contributing to NBU's litigation tracking system.

Provides proactive advice in connection with areas such as purchasing, finance, contracts, real estate, labor and employment issues, litigation, government regulations, and technology agreements and licensing; anticipates issues and estimates risks strategically.

Assists Director of Legal Services and / or General Counsel with the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel.

Coordinates and collaborates with outside counsel on legal matters requiring specialized legal expertise, ensuring that delivery, quality and budgetary standards are maintained.

Demonstrates legal and ethical stature, maturity, sound judgment, competence and confidence to operate with credibility at the Executive, Board, and management levels.

Possesses strong organizational, administrative, and time-management skills and excellent follow-up to ensure adherence to deadlines and efficient task completion.

Possesses excellent writing and oral communication skills.

Maintains objectivity while driving appropriate outcomes, manages multiple stakeholder requests, and promotes high business and legal standards.

Develops and utilizes peer group networks and external legal partners, ensures that all such relationships are effective, cost efficient, and fosters constructive outcomes on behalf of NBU.

Examines legal information to determine the advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits.

Reviews agendas for public meetings to ensure compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act for public and executive session meetings.

Attends board meetings to stay informed about NBU.

Attends significant committee meetings, evening meetings, conferences, workshops, and other professional meetings, which may require overnight travel.

Uses safe work practices at all times and in all situations.

Oversees the drafting and formalization of NBU resolutions.

Answers questions and provides training regarding the Public Information Act.

Manages legal budget and respects budgetary constraints.

Prepares and submits requests for open records letter rulings and Attorney General opinions as needed.

SUPERVISORY

Manages one attorney and two legal assistants.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY

Possesses strong critical analysis skills.

Positive energy, enthusiasm, flexibility and confidence.

Possesses a strong sense of teamwork; ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams.

Prioritizes and organizes work effectively to meet deadlines and rapidly changing priorities.

Understands municipal codes and applicable state laws and federal statues; draws distinctions of municipal requirements and application in all situations.

Exercises attention to detail and exhibits a strong work ethic.

Possesses excellent writing and oral communication skills.

Possesses knowledge of contract, labor, and real estate law.

Possesses knowledge of legal references and limitations.

Demonstrates proficiency with technology.

Possesses experience in energy, utility, and nonprofit organizations.

Highly developed skills including issue identification, analysis and resolution through supervision, coordination and use of internal and external staff and counsel.

Self-directed with the ability to work independently.

Ability to quickly assimilate role, responsibilities and organization culture.

Commitment and adherence to the mission of NBU.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS COMPETENCIES

Pursues right solutions to difficult business or legal concerns.

Challenges self as much as others and sets ambitious goals that others are inspired to achieve.

Possesses a collegial and collaborative mindset, as well as patience with process.

Thinks with both a cerebral as well as pragmatic mindset when dealing with issues.

Possesses resiliency in the face of numerous urgent priorities and interaction with many strong personalities within the NBU community.

Inspires confidence and trust, demonstrating oneself as a professional of integrity and wisdom.

Executes tasks efficiently.

Mentors and coaches as strategic thought partner guiding staff to their own conclusions.

Possesses the art of persuasion, negotiation and civility.

Demonstrates intellectual zest and curiosity.

Possesses good public speaking skills with ability to adapt communication skills to the audience and simplify complex legal matters as necessary to effectively communicate with people of varying levels of legal sophistication inside and outside NBU.

Possesses excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain regular attendance; leave schedule should be managed so as to not interfere with ability to accomplish tasks, including special projects and assignments with deadlines or negatively affect direct reports' ability to do their jobs when applicable

Adhere to NBU safety guidelines and practices at all times and in all situations

Maintain a clean and safe work area, office, field site and vehicle as applicable

Maintain strict confidentiality of business, employee and customer information in written and oral communications and safeguard sensitive documents

Develop and maintain effective customer service skills for communications with co-workers, customers and the public in general

Adhere to NBU policies and procedures

Exemplifies NBU Core Values of Stewardship, Team, Integrity, Culture, and Safety

Participate in and support initiatives to accomplish strategic goals, annual priorities, key performance measures, and levels of service.

Formal Education and Work Experience Requirements

Degree / Diploma Obtained : Bachelors and Juris Doctor

Work Experience Time Frame : Seven Years or More Field of Study : Law

Other : Must submit a legal writing sample

Certification and Licensures Requirements

Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas

Other Minimum Qualifications

Excellent writing and oral communication skills

No adverse disciplinary history

Experience in municipal law or public utilities is helpful

Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas

Valid Texas Driver's License