Assistant Town Attorney I, II, III

Description

The Town Attorney's Office supports the Town of Queen Creek's mission by providing sound legal counsel and ensuring that Town operations, policies, and decisions are legally defensible and aligned with the Town's values of Responsive, Innovative, Transparent, Respectful and Friendly.

The Assistant Town Attorney position will be filled at either the I, II, or III level. As you complete your application, please be sure to include all applicable information (related work history, etc.) so you can be considered for the appropriate level.

Offering salary may be made above the minimum of the posted salary range up through the midpoint, depending upon qualifications, experience, education, certifications, training, and internal equity considerations.

This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature and not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The specific tasks/duties may vary based on position assignment and as determined by the Town of Queen Creek.

Examples of Duties

Assistant Town Attorney I ($104,003 - $150,804 Annually)

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level professional attorney classification within the Town’s civil legal series. Assistant Town Attorney I is distinguished from Assistant Town Attorney II (the journey-level) in that incumbents handle less complex legal assignments, receive more direction and oversight, and do not typically represent the Town independently in high-impact litigation or negotiations.

The classification is distinguished from Assistant Town Attorney III, which handles highly complex work independently, serves as a subject matter expert, and may provide lead direction to other attorneys.

• Conducts legal research and prepares legal opinions, memoranda, staff reports, and other written analysis on issues affecting Town policy, operations, and litigation.
• Assists in drafting, reviewing, and recommending revisions to ordinances, resolutions, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, development agreements, policies, and other legal documents.
• Provides routine legal advice, coordination and policy interpretation to Town staff under supervision; escalates complex or sensitive matters as appropriate.
• Fosters collaboration and teamwork across departments and ensures clear and consistent communication of legal guidance.
• Supports litigation and administrative hearings, including code enforcement proceedings, by preparing filings, evidence summaries, discovery responses, presenting oral arguments and witnesses at hearings, and briefs.
• Represents the Town in court and other legal proceedings and matters as required and assigned by the Town Attorney or designee
• Defends the Town against all criminal and civil suits, actions or cause of action where the Town is a party.
• Assists in ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws including open meeting, election, and public records statutes and other regulatory compliance involving Town operations.
• May attend Town Council, advisory board, or commission meetings to observe or provide limited legal support.
• Maintains confidentiality and adheres to established legal and ethical standards.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a journey-to-senior level professional attorney classification responsible for providing a wide range of municipal legal services. It is distinguished from the Deputy Town Attorney, which has greater administrative responsibility, serves as second-in-command, and acts for the Town Attorney in their absence. The Assistant Town Attorney II is expected to handle complex legal assignments independently but works under the direction of the Town Attorney or designee for department-wide priorities and coordination.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

• Provides legal advice and counsel to the Town Council, Town Manager, and Town departments on matters including contracts, land use and zoning, water and utility law, real estate transactions, liability, municipal authority, and public records.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates ordinances, resolutions, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, development agreements, leases, and other legal documents.
• Represents the Town in court and other legal proceedings and matters as required and assigned by the Town Attorney or designee
• Researches and prepares legal opinions, memoranda, and other documents on issues affecting Town policy, operations and litigation.
• Defends the Town against all criminal and civil suits, actions or cause of action where the Town is a party.
• Fosters collaboration and teamwork across departments and ensures clear and consistent communication of legal guidance.
• Provides training to Town staff, boards, commission, and police department personnel on legal and procedural matters.
• Attends Town Council meetings, boards, commissions, and public hearings to provide legal support as assigned.
• Advises on risk management, liability, real estate acquisition and disposition and municipal compliance matters.
• Provides guidance and direction to paralegal or support staff when assigned; may mentor less experienced attorneys.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and Federal laws affecting municipal operations and monitors legislative and case law development that may impact the Town.
• Maintains confidentiality and upholds professional and ethical standards of the legal profession.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced/senior attorney classification, distinguished from Assistant Town Attorney II by incumbents handling the most complex, high-impact legal matters with minimal oversight, serving as primary legal counsel for specialized or technical municipal functions, providing lead direction or mentoring to other attorneys, and representing the Town in major litigation, negotiations, and high-level policy matters.

This position is distinguished from the Deputy Town Attorney, which serves as second-in-command and has broader administrative and management responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the Town’s needs.

• Provides high-level legal advice and counsel to the Town Council, Town Manager, leadership team, and departments on complex legal, regulatory, governance, operational, and risk-management matters.
• Leads the drafting, negotiation, and review of complex contracts, development agreements, real estate transactions, intergovernmental agreements and policies.
• Represents the Town in significant litigation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings; may act as lead trial counsel on matters assigned by the Town Attorney or designee.
• Defends the Town against all criminal and civil suits, actions or cause of action where the Town is a party.
• Develops strategies and legal interpretations on specialized topics such as major development, utilities, water rights,
• Researches and prepares legal opinions, memoranda, and other documents on issues affecting Town policy, operations and litigation.
• procurement, risk management, land use, or municipal finance.
• Acts as a subject matter expert and advisor on statewide and regional legal issues affecting the Town.
• Provides training to Town staff boards, commission, and police department personnel on legal and procedural matters.
• Fosters collaboration and teamwork across departments and ensures clear and consistent communication of legal guidance
• Provides lead direction, guidance, and mentoring to Assistant Town Attorneys I and II and legal staff as assigned.
• Briefs and coordinates with outside counsel for council meeting issues, litigation and special assignments, as needed.
• Attends and advises at Town Council meetings, boards, commissions, and committees; may serve as primary legal advisor for key bodies.
• Oversees and coordinates the work of outside counsel when assigned.
• Ensures Town compliance with all applicable laws and provides proactive risk management recommendations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Assistant Town Attorney I
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; two (2) years of professional legal experience in the general practice of law, including experience in municipal or public sector law; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
(Recent law graduates with relevant internships or clerkships may be considered.)
Special Requirements:
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona and be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
To be eligible, Incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

Assistant Town Attorney II
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; minimum three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience in the general practice of law, with municipal law or government law preferred; or the equivalent combination of directly related education and experience.
Special Requirements:
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona and be a member in good standing in the State Bar of Arizona.
To be eligible, Incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

Assistant Town Attorney III
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (at job entry)
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience in the general practice of law that includes at least three (3) years of supervisory or managerial experience, including substantial experience in municipal or government law, or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience.
Special Requirements:
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona and be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
To be eligible, Incumbents cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

The following is a list of employment benefits offered by the Town of Queen Creek to full-time employees. The list is for informational purposes only. It does not create or connote any contractual rights or obligations. Additional details will be provided upon hire and are available in the Town of Queen Creek Employee Handbook.

Major Benefits for Full-Time Employees
(Employees choose the benefits that best meet their needs.)

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pre-tax unreimbursed medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Arizona State Retirement System membership
• Short-term and Long-term disability insurance for the employee
• Town-paid basic life insurance
• Optional employee-paid employee and dependent supplemental life insurance
• Commuter life insurance for business travel and travel to and from work
• Deferred compensation plan (457) with employer match
• Retirement Health Savings Account
• Optional enrollment in Identity Protection Program
• Paid holidays, plus one floating holiday annually
• Vacation leave hours annually
• Four weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Optional income replacement insurance
• Worker's compensation insurance
• Employee assistance program; offers confidential individual/family, marriage, legal and financial counseling
• Training opportunities and continuing education opportunities, including tuition reimbursement for pre-approved programs
• Direct deposit of paychecks
• Wellness Programs with incentives