Position Description

Supervise and direct a team of attorneys and sometimes support staff in the Civil Division Client Services unit of the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office.   This position is directly responsible for providing legal counsel to the City’s elected and appointed officials, departments, boards and commissions in civil legal matters, as well as supporting supervisees’ efforts and taking responsibility for ensuring legal services are responsive to City needs and are of the highest quality.
 
This position also acts as the City’s Ethics Officer.

Work Location 
This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise A Civil Attorney Team.
• Assign projects and other work to attorneys and support staff members in a manner ensuring city legal needs are covered. Oversee, review and evaluate the work performance of team members, identify performance concerns, and consult, when necessary, with the Deputy City Attorney Civil on such matters.
• Provide expert legal advice and guidance, including training, to Assistant City Attorneys and clients on, client services, and projects, including preparing for and handling various phases of legal matters and projects as needed.
    
• Manage the Team, based on the department and division’s business plans; organize and prioritize the team’s resources to ensure that all legal services are handled efficiently, effectively,  and is of high quality and in the best interest of the City.
• Lead the team’s strategic business planning efforts and collaborate on division-wide business planning efforts.
• Work with City departments to identify legal issues and suggest solutions, including modifications to current ordinances, policies and practices.
• Develop the team’s over-all strategy using and applying innovative problem solving skills and business judgment to resolve issues, minimize risk and achieve client goals.
• Monitor and control costs, productivity, quality and other results of legal services and support efforts.
    
• Provide and supervise team members in providing legal services of a complex nature for the City, its officials and employees in a wide array of matters including governmental authority; elections; contracts; licensing; data practices; environmental concerns; government finance; ethics;, etc.:
• Take responsibility for minimizing City liability exposure and ensure legal services are of the highest quality and meet the City’s needs.
• Develop the team’s overall service strategy using lessons learned from past assignments and projects and use of attorney staff.
• Monitor and control costs, productivity, quality and other results of Teams efforts.
    
• Provide operational support as part of the City Attorney’s Management Team.
• Participate in policy-making and policy implementation identifying areas of concern and recommending appropriate responses, including developing statistics on various department and division initiatives in support of policy making.
• Assist in department strategic business planning and in the identification, development and implementation of initiatives and departmental policies.
• Attend meetings of boards, committees, and commissions on behalf of the Deputy City Attorney Civil and the City Attorney as requested.
• Provide regular advice to the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney on areas of substantive law and on division operations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  
Office environment.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Jurist Doctorate Degree and Minnesota attorney licensure through the successful completion of the bar examination and current active bar membership.
 
Minimum Experience
Ten years of experience as a civil litigator, legal advisor, or public attorney.
 
Licenses/Certificates
Minnesota attorney licensure.
*This position is Appointed.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.  Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
 
Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Background Check (Police)
The City has determined that a thorough Minneapolis Police Department criminal background check is necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.

Union Representation
This position is appointed (CAP).
 
Eligible List Statement
The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration.  This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire two months after it has been established.

Interview Selection
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list.  If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate’s education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Significant demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and municipal law.
• Extensive knowledge of legal principles and practices, legal research, and planning and presentation of complex legal assignments and projects.
• Knowledge and understanding of best practices in providing civil advice, , and the ability to instruct others in such practices.
• Excellent negotiation and leadership skills for complex civil projects and processes.
• Good planning and organizational skills; and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Skills to relate well with diverse groups of people inside and outside the City, and to build constructive and effective working relationships.
• Ability to lead teams, motivate others, and manage and measure work by clearly setting objectives.
• A strong ability to manage people, including superior interpersonal skills, an ability to engage in dispute resolution, an ability to effectively teach legal and operational concepts, and an ability to problem solve without supervision.
• Ability to research complex  legal issues and clearly and persuasively communicate legal analysis; the ability to work under pressure within tight deadlines; and the ability to use computers and work-related software.
• Demonstrated blend of strong management and leadership ability including an ability to foster a supportive, collaborative, creative and innovative environment that focuses on the provision of high-quality legal advice and consultation and the development of staff capacity.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose—serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.