Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

The Attorney is responsible for 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 Attorney must be knowledgeable in municipal law, procurement law, public finance, real estate, construction law, regulatory compliance, and city ordinances. The Attorney should possess transactional experience. The Attorney is expected to give practical advice and recommendations to NBU management and staff.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains the highest level of professional ethics.
• Assists the Manager of the Legal Department in managing the legal department.
• Provides legal counsel and support to NBU and conducts legal research.
• Assists with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating numerous purchasing contracts on a regular basis.
• Ensures that NBU operates within the appropriate legal governance framework, and takes 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.
• Understands and respects NBU's standards, policies, City ordinances, and local, state, and federal regulations; reviews and / or provides legal direction for NBU policies.
• Reads and reviews statutes, legal opinions, ordinances, and other documents to maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal legislation and jurisprudence affecting municipal utility operations, programs, and activities.
• Investigates claims based upon applicable laws in a timely manner.
• Assists with contract and business negotiations; drafts agreements that minimize risks and maximize NBU’s legal rights.
• Assists in handling ethics inquiries, conducting ethics investigations, developing department materials, and conducting training.
• Assists 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.
• 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 Board, Executive, 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.
• Prepares and submits requests for open records letter rulings and Attorney General opinions as needed.

SUPERVISORY

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Formal Education and Work Experience Requirements

Degree / Diploma Obtained : Bachelors and Juris Doctor

Work Experience Time Frame : Three 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