Deputy Town Attorney

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Advises and provides legal support to the Town Council, Town boards and commissions, Town Manager, and department staff on legal matters; reviews proposed actions of Town officials for legal compliance; analyzes legislation affecting the Town.

• Performs legal research and renders legal opinions in writing and orally for Town Attorney, Town Council, Town Manager, boards, committees, commissions, and department staff regarding routine matters.
• Represents the Town in litigation, mediation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings; may perform all phases of pretrial, trial, and appellate work; develops litigation strategy, prepares briefs, drafts pleadings, motions, and briefs, conducts oral arguments, and conducts all phases of discovery.
• Reviews, evaluates, investigates, and consults on claims filed against the Town; determines legal impact of specific cases on Town operations.
• Proactively identifies legal risks and develops strategies to reduce and manage risks.
• Examines and analyzes amendments in the law and their effect on Town operations; recommends changes in Town policies and practices in order to comply with legal requirements.
• Works closely with Town departments, provides legal support for the development and implementation of policies, programs, and initiatives to address the priorities of the Town Council and legal requirements.
• Prepares, reviews, and negotiates proposed agreements; prepares, reviews, and comments on ordinances, resolutions, bonds and financing papers, insurance policies, deeds, pleadings, contracts, and other legal documents relating to Town affairs.
• Participates in meetings and makes presentations to Town management and, as needed, the Town Council and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Monitors legal, regulatory, technology and societal changes, and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of municipal law.
• Maintains working and official departmental files.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Serves as the acting Town Attorney in the Town Attorney’s absence; makes decisions and provides information as necessary.
• Ensures compliance with all Town and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of application of municipal law.

• Federal, state, and local trial and appeal procedures and methods of case preparation and presentation for both civil and criminal matters.
• Functions, authority, and responsibilities of an elected Town Council.
• Established precedent and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.
• Methods and techniques of conducting legal research and developing presentations, business correspondence, and information distribution.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Research, reporting, and record keeping methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Town staff.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Ability to:

• Provide sound legal advice to the Town Council, boards, committees, commissions, and staff.
• Present legal information and advice clearly and persuasively in public sessions.
• Determine alternative legal and administrative approaches to solving problems.
• Prepare and present cases in court.
• Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems found in a government agency practice.
• Prepare clear and concise legal reports, correspondence, contracts, policies, procedures, and other written materials.

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Effectively represent the Town in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Apply and uphold the Town-wide and departmental goals and the Town Employee values of Integrity, Teamwork, Accountability, Commitment, and Excellence.
• Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of Town staff and community served.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California State Bar license in good standing with the State Bar of California within one (1) year of appointment.