City Attorney

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Description

The City of Carlsbad is accepting applications for the position of City Attorney. Under the general direction and supervision of the City Manager, performs a variety of complex, high level administrative, technical, and professional legal work in prosecuting violations of municipal ordinances, coordinates civil lawsuits, prepares legal documents, advises City employees and elected officials as to legal rights and obligations, and practices other phases of applicable local, state, and federal law.

Examples of Duties

• Provides leadership and direction in the development of short-and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for presentation and recommendations; and coordinates legal department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings; serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City employees and elected officials on specialized legal issues.
• Prepares a variety of memorandums for decision-making purposes.
  Provides professional advice to the City Council and Department Directors; makes presentations to City Council, boards, commissions, and the general public.
• Advises City officials of changes to state or federal laws affecting City operations. Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for City employees and elected officials.
• Attends all meetings of the City Council, Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners, Board of Solid Waste, Planning and Zoning Commission or any other meeting created by state statute or as designated by the City Administrator.
• Advises the City Council of legal conditions and current and future trends and issues legal opinions. Prepares and submits to the City Council such information as may be required by that body or as designated by the City Manager.
• Reviews and approves ordinances, resolutions and contracts as to legal form; and provides legal advice as to substance.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, renewals, deeds, leases, franchises, easements, liens, releases, etc.; and reviews documents prepared by other agencies or entities. Assists Department Directors to comply with laws, rules and ordinances.
• Represents the City in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
• Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of cases. Files briefs with court.
• Gathers evidence in civil, criminal, and other proceedings to formulate defenses or to initiate legal action.
• Conducts research, and prepares court case witnesses, exhibits and other details in preparation for trials.
• Performs general management duties for the City Manager as assigned.
• Other related duties as may be assigned.

Typical Qualifications