Assistant City Attorney Supervisor (Litigation)

Summary:  

This position is part of the City Attorney’s Office and responsible for providing comprehensive legal services and representation to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and staff of all City Departments. This position is specifically responsible for supervising the litigation team of two attorneys and a paralegal, handling a litigation caseload, and managing outside counsel as needed in support of the City’s Risk Management Division of the Finance Department. The position is physically located at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center. The salary, job title and classification will ultimately be determined by the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. 

The new Litigation Supervisor position is the Litigation Team lead and responsible for providing comprehensive legal services and representation to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and City Departments and staff at all levels. Under the direction of the City Attorney, the attorney in this position handles complex, high-profile and sensitive cases and performs and manages legal work with minimal supervision. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Supervises, assigns, trains, directs, mentors and evaluates day-to-day activities of team attorneys and paralegal.
• Performs the most difficult and complex litigation work that may involve both general, complex or specialized issues; researches and prepares legal opinions for City elected and appointed officials, the City Council, boards, commissions, and departments and staff.
• Litigates, monitors and manages status of pending litigation throughout the City to include cases assigned to outside counsel.
• Represents and defends the City in pending litigation, administrative board hearings and appeals in federal and state courts.
• Prepares pleadings, statements, motions and memoranda, briefs; draft and negotiate settlements and other legal documents; efficiently and effectively manage discovery, including depositions.
• Appears and zealously defends the City in all levels of court as required, including at hearings, mediations, arbitrations and trials.
• Conduct legal research, draft, review, write and effectively communicate with clients when rendering legal opinions.
• Conducts direct settlement negotiations with opposing attorneys and present settlements to City Council for approval.
• Stays current on all relevant law, document management tools and litigation and trial-related technology.
• Partners with other attorneys in trial preparation and during trial.
• Identifies and research issues within the complex operational, business, policy, and legal framework of the City.
• Actively analyzes matters, provide accurate, timely and sound legal advice and opinions to other attorneys, elected and appointed officials, and city staff.
• Ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal laws specific to municipalities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Extensive litigation experience including handling several judge and jury trials in state and federal courts.
• Strong leadership, management, and collaboration skills.
• Considerable knowledge of constitutional, federal, state, and local laws affecting municipal government.
• Experience litigating before administrative and quasi-judicial boards and commissions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, analyze issues from a legal, policy, and practical perspective, and provide clear and sound advice and counsel.
• Ability to master new material quickly, manage a diverse legal portfolio, and handle a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to think creatively to solve complex legal problems.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• In-depth knowledge of federal of state judicial procedures, rules of evidence and local rules
• Ability to prepare and try complex civil cases.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, the public, elected and appointed officials, opposing counsel, outside counsel and stakeholders.