Closing Date: 3rd October, 2025
Description:
An OverviewThe Office of the City Attorney, legal counsel to the City of Alexandria, is accepting applications for a permanent full-time position of Assistant City Attorney II. This position handles professional legal work involving legal advice and representation in selected areas of municipal operations. An Assistant City Attorney is responsible to act as counsel for several City departments and offices. An incumbent in this class provides client's advice on a regular basis; conducts research; reviews and prepares agreements, contracts, and other legal documents; prepares ordinances and opinions; and assists in litigation arising in these areas. An Assistant City Attorney II works under the close supervision of a Deputy City Attorney and the City Attorney.
The Opportunity:
The incumbent will work with assigned City departments including, but not limited to, the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, the Department of Code Administration, Office of Real Estate Assessments, and the Office of the Registrar. The tasks assigned to this position may include reviewing, drafting, and negotiating leases, drafting memorandums of understanding, other legal documents; performing legal research and preparing legal opinions; responding to department and resident inquiries, and rendering legal advice to assigned departments. The position may attend meetings of public bodies and advise them on legal issues; prepare ordinances and resolutions for consideration by the City Council; and conduct training for client departments.
About the Department
The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice to the City Council, Boards and Commissions, the City Manager and City Departments. We are responsible for drafting ordinances, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal papers. We represent the City in civil court to defend the City in actions taken against it and to initiate cases to enforce the City's laws and actions. Our office is also responsible for handling requests for public records, in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and for serving as an adjudicator for parking ticket disputes.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
To qualify for this position, all candidates must possess a Juris Doctor degree; be eligible to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the ability to become so authorized within 6 months of appointment; and for the Assistant City Attorney II position have a minimum of 2 years of experience in the practice of law.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have experience with real estate transactions, including drafting and negotiating leases, and other legal documents; excellent legal writing and research skills; and experience drafting opinions, ordinances and resolutions. The individual should have exceptional interpersonal skills and experience dealing with inquiries from members of the public and staff. At least 3 years of experience in the practice of law.
Notes:
This position will require the successful completion of a background investigation, to include a criminal records check.
