Deputy City Attorney

Description:

A Government Entity is hiring a Deputy City Attorney! This opportunity is for you if you want to grow your legal career!

The City Attorney's Office is a public sector law office that represents the municipal government and its employees in a variety of legal arenas including municipal, state, federal, and appellate courts. Additionally, the City Attorney's Office regularly practices in criminal, civil, and administrative law.

With us, you will get the opportunity to diversify your areas of practice in an atmosphere that promotes collaboration and creativity! Your success matters to our team! The City Attorney's Office offers you the chance to build and expand your legal career.

Along with your base salary, you will be eligible to receive the following:

• Relocation reimbursement to move to Hobbs, New Mexico (up to $3,500.00);
• Monthly vehicle allowance;
• Monthly phone stipend;
• Annual retention incentive payment;
• Annual New Mexico Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits provided by employer;
• Annual licensing fees/costs provided by employer;
• Annual dues and subscriptions for professional memberships provided by employer;
• Annual salary increases (if approved by the governing body);
• Annual bilingual incentive payment (if applicable);
• 13 paid holidays;
• 12 hours Paid Time Off accrued monthly (144 hours annually = 18 days Paid Time Off annually)
• Paid short-term and long-term disability;
• PERA retirement with employer contribution;
• Excellent insurance benefits package;
• 4 ½ workdays each week (weekend begins each Friday at noon!).

If You Are Not Currently Licensed in New Mexico, Do Not Worry, if Selected You Will Have Up to Twelve (12) Months to Become Licensed in New Mexico.

To apply visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hobbsnm

• For more information about the City of Hobbs visit: https://www.hobbsnm.org
• For more information about Hobbs, New Mexico visit: https://choosehobbsnm.com

Essential Duties:

• Advises the City Attorney regularly on operational and legal issues involving the City. Assumes operational functions of the City Attorney in his/her absence.
• Renders legal opinions on various issues, either verbally or in writing, to the Mayor, City Commission, City Manager or department heads, at the direction of the City Attorney.
• Coordinates the management of legal issues with staff, contract law firms, and independent counsel.
• Represents the City in litigation, negotiations, settlements, mediations, and arbitrations.
• Regularly practices in federal and state courts, including appellate courts.
• Supervises the prosecution of cases filed in the Hobbs Municipal Court, or appealed to District Court, to include all violations of the City Charter, City ordinances and New Mexico statutes which are within the jurisdiction of the Hobbs Municipal Court. Coaches, trains, counsels, and instructs staff and Municipal Prosecutor in order to meet established goals and objectives.
• Assumes prosecution of criminal matters whenever the Municipal Prosecutor, by reason of interest or other reason, is disqualified from prosecuting any matter.
• Represents the various City departments in public hearings held before the City Commission or any other administrative body.
• Provides periodic training on evolving legal issues to the various departments.
• Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, franchises, etc. either directly or through subordinate staff.
• Assists City staff to ensure compliance with various state and local laws.
• Reviews information to keep informed of proposed state and federal legislation affecting the City.
• Reviews legislation, rule changes, and appellate cases affecting municipalities.
• Supervises the activities of the Assistant City Attorney(s) and other assigned staff.
• Advises and supports staff in duties and project responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited school of law required. Four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney or two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney in a City Attorney's Office/municipal law office required. Prior experience defending government entity/employees in federal and state court preferred. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

• Knowledge of various aspects of criminal and civil litigation including preparation, pleading, discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeal.
• Knowledge of court procedures and applicable court rules, knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of legal issues germane to municipalities in the State of New Mexico.
• Knowledge of state and federal constitutional provisions and the application of the same to municipalities and their processes.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, resources, and techniques.
• Ability to assume executive level responsibility and ability to make appropriate decisions within delegated authority.
• Ability to utilize techniques and practices for effective, efficient, and cost effective management of allocated resources.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet multiple deadlines to ensure attainment of set goals for the department and the City.
• Ability to manage litigation caseload to timely achieve favorable results for the client while adhering to all deadlines and requirements set by the court or tribunal.
• Ability to firmly and impartially supervise, coach, lead, and direct the activities of staff.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing and ability to negotiate in an effective manner to achieve the desired result.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, customers, clients and the public.

Licensing and Certifications

• Valid state issued drivers license.
• Current admission to the State Bar of New Mexico.
• Current admission to the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.
• Ability to gain admission to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit within six months of hire.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:
Physical Demands:
The physical demands 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.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

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