Date: August 2021
Department: LMCIT Litigation
Accountable to: Litigation Management Attorney
FLSA Status: Exempt

Our Mission
The League of Minnesota Cities promotes excellence in local government through effective advocacy, expert analysis, and trusted guidance for all Minnesota cities.

Position Summary

To assist both the LMCIT in-house staff attorneys and outside assigned counsel in defending claims and lawsuits brought against member cities by researching legal issues and drafting motions and memorandum for litigation.

Essential Job Duties

• Researches and prepares memoranda relating to particular claims against LMCIT.
• Researches and prepares educational memoranda relating to common types of municipal liability claims.
• Assists defense counsel in trial and trial preparation.
• Enters, keeps current and maintains LMCIT research files.

Examples of Performance Criteria
• Finds relevant case law in a timely manner.
• Thoroughly and effectively applies relevant facts to law (legal analysis).
• Meets deadlines in light of competing priorities.

• Demonstrates ability to prepare clear and concise reports and legal memoranda. Work product requires minimal revisions.
• Meets or exceeds results/timelines and other department performance measures.
• Promotes diversity and inclusion objectives, including race equity objectives, defined by the League and continually examines own performance to eliminate implicit bias in carrying out duties and interacting with the public, coworkers, and members.

Core Qualifications
• Completion of at least one year of law school and current enrollment in law school.
• Coursework in legal research.
• Work or volunteer experience with government at various levels, particularly municipal government. (Coursework in state and local government law may be substituted.)
• Work or school experience conducting computerized legal research.

Desirable Qualifications
• Course work in general municipal or government tort law, employment law, land use and civil rights (Section 1983 litigation) desired.
• Academic standing in top 1/3 of class and/or member of law review or legal journal.
• Become certified as a Student Attorney by the Minnesota Supreme Court to allow for participation in Litigation process.

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided/Supervision of Others
Works somewhat independently within assigned projects, with supervision by the Litigation Management Attorney and guidance provided by assigned defense attorneys on assigned projects. When certified as a student attorney, works under the supervision of assigned counsel.
No formal supervision of others.

In-Person and Interactive Skills
Requires teamwork and relationship building with staff in other League departments which will include a substantial number of in-person meetings.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Moderate to high level of public contact, requiring tact, courtesy and professionalism.