What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Corporation Counsel position at CITY OF HARTFORD, CT?
Deputy Corporation Counsel
Full Time
Legal Services
Other
The City of Hartford’s Office of the Corporation Counsel is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Corporation Counsel. Under direction of Corporation Counsel, assists in supervising and directing the operations of the Corporation Counsel’s office and staff including assignment of cases and duties to staff members, coordination of legal activities of the office including performance and completion of assignments and providing full time legal assistance to the Corporation Counsel in his or her duties as legal advisor of the Council, the Mayor and all other departments, boards, commissions or agencies of the City on matters affecting the interests of the City. Acts for the Corporation Counsel in his or her absence or at his or her direction. Assists in planning, directing and supervising subordinate personnel engaged in the full range of municipal legal services; remains current on development in their assigned areas of practice; develops office expertise and contributes to consistency of legal advice and interpretation. Provides assistance to the Corporation Counsel in his or her duties as legal advisor of the Council, the Mayor and all other departments, boards, commissions and agencies of the City. Researches legal issues and statutory and case law; drafts and reviews opinions, resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and other legal documents and instruments; reviews and drafts recommended changes to proposed legislation. Represents the City in civil litigation and in administrative hearings held by local, state and federal agencies; performs all phases of pretrial, trial and appellate work; develops litigation strategy and alternatives, prepares briefs, drafts pleading, motions and arguments, and conducts discovery and depositions in preparation for presentation of the case, files motion and briefs; and appears in court. Attends meetings of the Council and meeting of boards, commissions and committees. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform additional related duties.
This is a Classified Non-Union position and the hours of work for this position are 40 per week.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The examination will consist of rating your training and experience as contained on your application. It may also include a written test, an oral test, or a combination thereof. All parts of the examination, including tests and ratings, will be related to the requirements of the position. The examination will be designed to measure:
Knowledge of:
- Municipal law and municipal functions and departments.
- Common, statutory and local laws and ordinances, established precedents and the sources of legal reference.
- The principles, practices, methods and procedures of legal research and investigation.
- Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
- The principles and practices of effective supervision.
Ability to:
- Plan, organize and administer the activities of a municipal law office providing a wide range of legal and litigation services.
- Organize, appraise and analyze facts, evidence and precedents in connection with court case and legal opinions.
- Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly, logically and persuasively.
- Develop sound litigation strategy and represent the city effectively in hearings, courts of laws and meetings.
- Establish and maintain highly effective working relationships with officials and employees of the jurisdiction, court officials and with the general public.
- Plan, assign, supervise, and coordinate the activities of assigned staff.
- Prepare clear, concise and competent resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, deeds, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with some travel to different sites. Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
Qualifications
Open to all applicants who meet the following qualifications:
A juris doctor degree from an accredited law school AND three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Licenses; Certifications; Special Requirements:
Must be a member of the Connecticut Bar.
HARTFORD RESIDENCY PREFERRED : Preferably be a bona-fide resident of the City of Hartford at the time of application. A completed CITY OF HARTFORD RESIDENCY AFFIDAVIT including proof of residency as indicated on the RESIDENCY AFFIDAVIT may be submitted.
APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN ITS ENTIRETY, INCLUDING REQUIRED
DOCUMENTATION. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION SHALL RESULT IN YOUR DISQUALIFICATION.
APPLICATIONS VIA FACSIMILE OR EMAIL ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
Other Information
If selected, you will be required to pass a physical examination administered by a city physician, a drug and alcohol screening, and a background check. If appointed, you will serve 3-12 months of probation. This examination and employment process is subject to all federal, state, and municipal laws, rules and regulations.
NOTE: ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION CONCERNING THE APPLICATION AND TESTING PROCESS WILL OCCUR THROUGH EMAIL, UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUESTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: Preferential Points may be given to Eligible Veterans. Must submit a Veteran's Preference Form , along with a DD214 and Disability letter (if applicable) from the Office of Veteran's Affairs.
The Human Resources Department provides reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) . If you need an accommodation in the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department.
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Hartford is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.
Closing Date/Time: 4/17/2025 5:00 PM Eastern
City of Hartford
Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located in Hartford County on the Connecticut River, north of the center of the state, 24 miles (39 km) south of Springfield, Massachusetts. Its 2006 population of 124,512 ranks Hartford as the state's second-largest city, after Bridgeport. New Haven, 40 miles (64 km) to the south, has a population nearly identical to that of Hartford. Greater Hartford is also the largest metro area in Connecticut and 45th largest in the country (2006 census estimate) with a metropolitan population of 1,188,841.
Nicknamed the "Insurance Capital of the World", Hartford houses many of the world's insurance company headquarters, and insurance remains the region's major industry. Almost 400 years old, Hartford is among the oldest cities in the United States, and following the American Civil War, Hartford took the mantle of the country's wealthiest city from New Orleans. In 1868, Mark Twain exclaimed: "Of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see, Hartford is the chief".
With a new convention center and hotel, a recently completed science center, the reclaimed riverfront, and an infusion of residential and commercial ventures in the city, Hartford has begun to attract new development, especially downtown, after years of relative stagnation. It is home to the nation's oldest public art museum (Wadsworth Atheneum), the oldest public park (Bushnell Park), the oldest continuously published newspaper (The Hartford Courant), the second-oldest secondary school (Hartford Public), and until its recent closure, the sixth-oldest opera company in the nation (Connecticut Opera).
Salary : $110,356 - $170,549
