Description:

Nature of Work:
The Assistant City Attorney II provides professional legal services on behalf of the City while working under the direction of the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney. Duties include preparing and maintaining civil and criminal files and advising or issuing legal opinions to City officials and departments. An Assistant City Attorney II will manage select civil-related cases, projects, and defined civil topics at the discretion and direction of the City Attorney.

This position reports directly to the Deputy City Attorney – Civil Division.

Review of applications will begin on March 11, 2024.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Duties and Responsibilities:
*Serve as a legal advisor for the City

Advise law enforcement officers concerning criminal law enforcement issues.
Update, inform, and train law enforcement officers concerning new laws and investigation procedures.
Research and prepare legal opinions.
Provide legal advice to City departments, boards, commissions, employees and officials, which may influence program content of departments and ways by which the City deploys its resources.
Respond to inquiries from the public which includes but is not limited to explaining ordinances, municipal procedures, state and federal laws and regulations, or other legal issues affecting the City.
Represent the City Attorney at meetings of City boards, commissions, and/or the City Council to advise on legal matters.

*Represent the City in court or other proceedings requiring legal representation

Serve as trial attorney at all stages of criminal and civil proceedings to include preparation, pretrial, and trial cases brought before District and Appellate Courts as well as other administrative agencies.
Conduct criminal and civil litigation on behalf of the City to include but not limited to land use law, code enforcement, DWI forfeitures, expungements, and data practices.
Assemble evidentiary matters, conduct legal research, negotiate settlements and discern other professional actions relative to matters involved in litigation.
Conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the City.
Undertake plea negotiations in criminal cases when deemed appropriate.
Consult established guidelines to judge suitable plea alternatives in view of evidence and the nature of pending charges.
Identify opportunities to collaborate among entities within the judicial system to establish or modify policy and procedure in response to changing laws and regulations.

*Prepare and modify of the City's legal documents.

Draft and/or review proposed contracts to which the City is a party.
Write and/or revise ordinances, resolutions, regulations, deeds, leases, agreements, and other related legal documents for the City as assigned by the City Attorney.
Assist appointed independent hearing officers in matters pursuant to local ordinance, such as dangerous dog proceedings.

Essential Functions:
Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited law school under the Rules of Minnesota Supreme Court with a Juris Doctor Law Degree and two years of previous law practice experience in criminal or civil law. A license or ability to be immediately licensed to practice law within the State of Minnesota.

Special Requirement:
Must maintain a program of continuing legal education with emphasis on municipal law.