Under the direction of the City Solicitor, the Assistant City Solicitor is responsible for completing legal matters affecting the City's day-to-day operations. The Assistant City Solicitor will draft legislation, work with, and advise the administrative staff of the City and work with and advise Department heads and leaders of the city to better support the City's operations, the duties and responsibilities for this position are divided into the following divisions: Compliance, Enforcement, and General Counsel. The Assistant City Solicitor may also provide support to the City Clerk's Office as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

OPERATIONAL TASK

• Monitor legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions related to municipal law and activities, evaluate the impact on City operations and recommend appropriate action where applicable.
• Research, draft, and provide written and oral legal advice and counsel on issues related to municipal law and activities at the request of the City Solicitor.
• Serve as a liaison between the Legal Department and other City departments where applicable.
• Serve on and attend meetings of various City boards, commissions, and committees as required to give advice on proper meeting procedure and relevant
• Draft pleadings, legal memoranda, and other documents to be filed in pending cases in conjunction with the City Solicitor.
• Represent the City in state and federal courts in civil actions and administrative proceedings as required.
• Open, maintain, and close legal matters in a timely
• Arrange for filing, recording, and service of legal
• Independently answer routine matters and/or refer to appropriate City

GENERAL COUNSEL

• Provide legal advice to City staff regarding compliance with Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act.
• Assist the City Clerk in responding to complex open records
• Draft general contracts on behalf of the City and review proposed vendor
• Oversee the City's claims handling program and liability policy claims
• Advise City staff regarding matters of federal and state employment law and personnel matters.
• Coordinate with the Procurement Manager to ensure compliance with the Model Procurement Code, federal procurement requirements, and City procurement
• Assist other departments in formulating policies meeting legal requirements and protecting the city’s interests.

ENFORCEMENT

• Ensure ordinances and policies are being properly enforced and consistently applied by reviewing existing policies, implementing additional policies, and creating standard forms, procedures, and other documents.
• Provide support and advice to Finance Department with respect to collections, including the legality of various collections Pursue collections actions as appropriate.
• Prepare transactional real estate documents including deeds, liens, mortgages, and releases.

COMPLIANCE

• Engage in general litigation and trial work as This includes investigation of claims against the city for determination of liability and supervising claims made by the city against others.
• Represent the City in state and federal courts on claims made against the city for personal injury, violation of civil rights. Housing and real estate matters, among others. Draft pleadings and memoranda to be filed in court. Manage discovery in civil cases. Otherwise engage in all aspects of litigation and trial work as needed by the city or supervise others who are doing so.

• Periodic review of existing legislation to determine if revision is necessary in accordance with applicable law.
• Draft and review proposed Economic Development
• Monitor internal procedures and policies and make recommendations on improvements to same.
• Review and process all bankruptcy notices sent to the City in its capacity as creditor, and file proof of claims, as necessary.
• Provide support to the City

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Assistant City Solicitors may supervise part-time law clerks or legal interns on specific projects or assignments as needed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctor degree required. Three (3) years of experience as an attorney or in a related legal profession desired.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky or able to secure license. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license or could obtain one prior to employment.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPISH DUTIES

• General knowledge of the principles and procedures of local, state, federal, and administrative laws and regulations related to municipal government.
• Project management experience and the ability to multitask and prioritize
• Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of municipal
• Sources of legal reference applicable to municipal
• Perform legal research, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, negotiate, and make sound recommendations that are in the best interest of the City.
• Prepare clear, concise, and complete legal documentation, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to
• Work with limited supervision and maintain
• Represent the City effectively in meetings with
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including members of the public, City staff, public officials, and appointed members to boards, commissions, and committees.
• Maintain a customer service orientation, be courteous and diplomatic in the exchange of information, and present a positive image of the City to its public.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the assigned duties safely and effectively.
• Develop strong working relationships with cross functional teams to understand and deliver on project goals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to draft reports and correspondence to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to members of public, City staff, public officials, and appointed members to boards, commissions, and committees.

MATHMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals; and ability to interpret basic    descriptive statistical reports.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am

- 4:30 pm. Evening, weekend, or hours adjustments may be required as job duties demand.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.