Assistant City Attorney

Minimum starting salary is $121,455. A higher salary may be offered depending on the selected applicant's relevant experience.

General Description
The Assistant City Attorney provides legal counsel and representation to the City and/or the Murfreesboro City Schools. The position requires an individual who is a skilled professional capable of exercising independent judgment and who possesses excellent legal research, writing, and oral communication skills. The individual must have high personal and professional ethical standards and have the personal disposition and character necessary to work effectively with individuals from all levels of the organization (including elected and appointed officials), within the legal community, in judicial forums, and with members of the public. The Assistant City Attorney reports to the City Attorney and works under the general supervision of the City Attorney and/or Deputy City Attorney.

Essential Functions:

Must be able to communicate with others in spoken and written English to ensure the safe and efficient operations of the business.

Provides legal representation and advice to the City and Murfreesboro City Schools (collectively, “City”), through their officials, employees, boards, and commissions, privately and at public meetings, on a variety of complex legal topics.

Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, policies, administrative directives, general orders, and forms to ensure compliance with applicable laws, often developing these documents collaboratively with other City employees.

Prepares and reviews contracts and other legal documents in connection with procurements and a wide variety of real estate and other transactions and when requested assists with negotiation of these transactions.

Responds to legal inquiries by City officials and staff often requiring legal and factual research and preparation of written opinions. Researches and analyzes complex legal issues and prepares legal advice relative to a broad variety of areas of the law including municipal law, employment, regulatory compliance, constitutional, public safety, real estate, zoning, land use, contract, collections, tax, bankruptcy, tort, education, and workers’ compensation. 

Performs one or more of the following, as assigned by the City Attorney: 

Represents the City in federal, state, and City courts, handling all aspects of litigation brought by or against the City, including pleadings, discovery, motions, trial, and appeal.            

Represents the City in federal, state, and local administrative hearings.

Handles real estate transactions, including the preparation of contracts, leases, easements, deeds, trust deeds, instruments of title, liens, releases, and other documents; conducting title examinations; coordinating the services of surveyors, appraisers, and engineers; and negotiating the terms of transactions with property owners, tenants, and attorneys.

Provides legal counsel to the Murfreesboro City Schools.

Additional Duties:
Supervises the work of Legal Assistants.

Coordinates or supervises the work of outside counsel.

May be required to perform the duties and handle the responsibilities of City Attorney in City Attorney’s absence.

Performs other work as assigned.

Physical Demands:
Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and at least four (4) years of experience handling civil legal matters. Prior experience in one or more of the following areas is strongly preferred: (1) land use and real estate law; (2) procurement and purchasing; and/or (3) municipal law.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Must be licensed to practice law in Tennessee or be eligible for admission to practice in Tennessee within six (6) months of employment.
Special Certifications and Licenses:
Must have a valid driver’s license.
 

The City of Murfreesboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer.