ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY IV

 CLASS DESCRIPTION

General Responsibilities:

This is highly responsible professional legal work in the City Attorney's Office. Work at this level is characterized by responsibility for complex civil litigation and general law practice, typically involving ongoing responsibility for either a designated legal program area (such as equal employment opportunity law, real estate law, contract law, personal injury law, etc) or demonstrated by a consistent pattern of comparable level involvement in a variety of legal programs. Further, employees participate in a broad range of general legal work as required. This work is performed with a high degree of independence, under the general supervision of the City Attorney. Work may involve the leadership of lower level attorneys on a project basis.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide legal support and consultation within assigned functional area. Exercise considerable judgement and discretion in the identification of legal issues and/or respond to legal questions/issues on behalf of the City Attorney's office. Maintain an active awareness of relevant case law and its application to the City.

Provide ongoing (and Ad Hoc) legal support to major City boards, commissions and agencies as assigned (e.g., Planning Commission, Zoning board of Appeals, Equal Opportunities Commission, etc). Advise City departments on legal obligations and litigation, to include specific claims and liabilities. Respond to citizen inquiries.

Be responsible for planning and conducting civil litigation on the City's behalf. Represent the City before judicial or quasi-judicial bodies involving complex issues and significant liabilities to the City.

Draft ordinances, resolutions, contracts, conveyances, reports and opinions, and other legal documents as required. Participate in the full spectrum of City Attorney's office functions as required. Provide leadership and consultation to lower level attorneys on a project basis.

Perform all other legal work which would normally be performed by lower level attorneys as required.

Perform related work as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of legal principles and their application within municipal corporations. Thorough knowledge of statutes and laws of Wisconsin and judicial interpretation and precedent. Considerable knowledge of municipal laws and ordinances. Ability to prepare complex briefs, opinions and pleadings. Ability to carry out independent research on legal issues. Ability to present legal matters logically, clearly, and concisely in accepted form. Thorough knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures and rules of evidence. Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion. Ability to plan, assign and review the work of lower level attorneys. Ability to assume responsibility for and implement legal programs. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to representative the City's interest in complex negotiations.

Training and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited law school and six years of municipal law practice, two of which should be comparable to the experience gained as an Assistance City Attorney II with the City of Madison. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in the possession of the knowledges, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of these positions will also be considered.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Admission to the bar in the State of Wisconsin.