Department:                         LAW                          JOB TITLE:  Assistant City Attorney II

STATUS:                               Open                           JOB CATEGORY: Professional

NATURE OF WORK:          Legal

The Assistant City Attorney is responsible for providing professional legal services to the City of Gary in compliance with Federal Law, State of Indiana Law, and the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.  This includes but is not limited to Indiana Code IC 36-4-9-12.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Assistant the Corporation Counsel, and City Attorney in providing sound legal advice to the City, the Mayor, heads of departments, various boards and commissions as well as to other elected and appointed officials. 
• Other areas in which the Assistant City Attorney will assist the Corporation Counsel and the City:

(1) help the Corporation Counsel to manage the legal affairs of the city;

(2) assist in prosecuting violators of city ordinances;

(3) give legal advice to the officers, departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies of the city;

(4) draft ordinances or other legal papers for the city and its departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies when requested by the proper officer;

(5) maintain custody of the records of the department head's office and turn them over to the department head's successor in office;

(6) make all title searches and examine all abstracts required in public work of any kind, including opening, widening, or changing a street, alley, or public place;

(7) promptly commence all proceedings necessary or advisable for the protection or enforcement of the rights of the city or the public;

(8) use all diligence to collect costs, fees, and recoveries within the scope of the department head's duties;

(9) report, in writing, to the city executive all matters that the department head considers important; and

(10) report, in writing, to the city fiscal officer all judgments for which the city is liable.

• Additionally, the Assistant City Attorney will:
  1. Represent the City before federal and state courts and administrative agencies.
  2. Provide legal counsel and advice to City departments, boards and commissions.
  3. Litigate, or assist in the litigation of ordinance violations, enforce Zoning Code violations, supervise traffic deferral program, and manage collection actions for City utilities.
  4. Supervise and work closely with Department paralegal on deferrals, traffic violations, and collection actions.
  5. Attend after hours meetings to provide counsel at various board and commission meetings.
  6. Review and draft City ordinances, resolutions, contracts and professional service agreements and similar document.
  7. Review and respond to various discovery and public documents requests.
  8. Review and evaluate bids for City’s public works projects.
  9. Research pertinent legal issues and draft memoranda summarizing findings.
  10. Assist Corporation Counsel and City Attorney on complex issues facing City.
  11. Attend various meetings and public events responding to public inquiries and interpreting and explaining issues of municipal law to City employees and members of the general public.
  12. Work with members of other departments to ensure City’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  13. Participate and serve on City’s regular and special events committee to evaluate requests for special event permits and draft necessary legal documents.
  14. Maintain current knowledge of municipal law and related subject areas by attending periodic training seminars.
  15. Engage in regular public speaking at meetings and events when requested.
  16. Compliance with the City of Gary’s Employee Handbook and employment policies
  17. Strict adherence to confidentiality and highest ethical standards.
  18. Attend meetings of the Gary Common Council when assigned
  19. Advise the Mayor’s staff, department heads, departments, boards, commissions and other city leaders on matters related to relevant federal, state and local law, contracts, land use, taxes, ethics, personnel, and finance.
  20. Inform the appropriate elected officials and City staff as laws are being debated in the state legislature or Congress.
  21. Negotiate settlements of civil disputes, attend pre-deprivation hearings, mediation and arbitration
• Litigate cases on behalf of the city in conjunction with the Corporation Council and other legal staff, including but not limited to:
  • Prepare and file complaints in state and federal court, respond to complaints, discovery requests, keep accurate calendar for various cases,  prepare legal briefs and opinions, appeals in state and federal courts of appeal.
  • Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.
  • Communicate well with Corporation Counsel and other legal staff while also working independently when necessary; work well with staff persons, general public and with a diverse population.
  • Other Duties as Assigned 

EDUCATION & YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor Degree from Accredited Law School

• Must be Licensed to practice law in Indiana, and law license must be active and in good standing 
• Prior legal experience preferred 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

SUPERVISION EXERCISE:

• Legal Investigators
• Paralegals
• Law Clerks and/or Interns

• Administrative Staff

SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Strong written and oral communication skills; 
• excellent legal research ability; 
• Confident public speaking ability: in addition to ability to communicate well in court and at administrative hearings, must also must also be confident speaking to elected and appointed officials and the public including at public meetings and hearings.   
• Team player; ability to exercise independent judgment and work with minimal supervision
• Physical: 
  • Ability to work extended and/or evening hours when required and occasional weekend hours. 
  • Ability to sit and work at a computer for long periods of time. 
• Possession of valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain a valid driver’s license within 30 days) and ability to travel to and from courts within Lake County Indiana.