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City of Bellevue: Attorney II

JOB SUMMARY

Provide professional legal services, advice, and representation to City government. Primary functions include representing the City in litigation, providing legal advice to the City Council, City Manager, Boards and Commissions and all City departments, developing solutions to complex legal problems, preparing and enforcing City legislation, and formulating responses to citizen inquiries regarding City legal matters. Work is complex and diverse, and requires an understanding of municipal, administrative, criminal, contract, labor, insurance and all other aspects of law. Activities, decisions and recommendations may have significant influence on certain City operations. Substantial specialization in assignments may occur, in such areas as financial law, personnel, public safety, etc.

These two positions perform essentially the same type of work, but an Attorney I works under supervision on varied assignments of increasing complexity which match the incumbent's ability. As such, incumbents in this class perform work which in general, supports the assignments of the Attorney II. After some training the Attorney I would be assigned simple litigation functions such as collections and code enforcement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the intention of this section to describe the general duties attributed to an incumbent in this classification regardless of an individual's assignment to the civil or criminal division. Please be aware that any one position does not perform all of these tasks as some tasks may have more relevance in one division and are not necessarily applicable in the other division.

• Initiates litigation and represents the City before trial and appellate courts and before administrative agencies on all matters, and evaluates and makes recommendations regarding disposition of litigation and claims.
• Prepares legal documents, contracts, ordinances and resolutions.
• Prepares legal opinions, litigation briefs, memoranda and pleadings.
• Researches, analyzes and disseminates legal decisions to departments in appropriate areas such as civil/criminal decisions, code enforcement, administrative and employment law, and police issues.
• Negotiates contracts and other agreements with other governmental bodies and state and county agencies.
• Provides advice on legal problems as they arise within the City and develops solutions to such problems.
• Engages in the practice of preventive law by interpretation, projection and application of legal trends and provides advice thereon to Council, Manager and departments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Works under the moderate to general supervision of the Supervising Attorney.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree followed by admission to the Washington State Bar.

Some years of experience in practice of municipal law or closely related areas of law.

Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of state statutes relating to criminal and misdemeanor law; knowledge of courtroom procedures; working knowledge of modern policies and practices of municipal law and public administration; knowledge of personal computers including word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Skill in preparing briefs and other legal documents.

Experience in oral advocacy.

Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents; ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the court system, and the general public.

Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize and schedule the work of self and others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 10 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.