Closing Date: 22nd June, 2026

Description:

Nature of Work:
The purpose of this job is to provide advanced professional legal services on issues and projects of importance to the City. Depending on assigned area(s), this job may involve litigation, municipal affairs, and/or ordinance enforcement. Position will have increased autonomy, depth of knowledge, and gaining of special areas of expertise from that of Assistant City Attorney II. Position will also provide support and guidance to Assistant City Attorneys I and II in everyday duties and responsibilities.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. The Department of Law is divided into three Divisions representing three primary areas of service to the City: Municipal Affairs, Civil Litigation, and Ordinance Enforcement. Although attorneys may be assigned work in more than one service area, not all attorneys will perform all of these duties.

This Position Is in The Litigation Division:

Acts as trial and appellate counsel handling litigation duties for matters of routine to moderate complexity on behalf of the City, the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Commission, all departments, employees, and boards and commissions within the City of Grand Rapids in state and federal court, and before state and local administrative and judicial bodies
Investigates and processes personal injury and property claims through the City's internal administrative process
Answers complex tax petitions and manages litigation through pleadings, hearings, and motions, and processes tax exemption requests and disputes involving payments in lieu of taxes
Manages and assists outside counsel in prosecuting and defending lawsuits on behalf of the City, the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Commission, all departments, employees, and boards and commissions within the City of Grand Rapids in state and federal court

Please click here to view the complete job description (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/grandrapids/classspecs/83448?keywords=assistant%20city%20att&pagetype=classSpecifications)

Minimum Training and Experience:
Required Education and Experience:

Juris Doctorate
-And--
At least six (6) years of experience as a licensed attorney
-Or--
Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities

Required licenses or certifications:

Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, or licensed in another state, with the ability to become licensed within a reasonable time
Other Necessary Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
Legal terminology and court rules and procedures
Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping
Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research, including use of electronic research methods
Various State and Federal law, common law and State and Federal regulations
Applicable court procedure and rules of evidence
Local government structure and operation, city policies and procedures, and the City's relationships to other public jurisdictions

Skill in:

Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with executive, elected, and other high-level officials
Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
Preparing and presenting complex legal matters
Verbal and written communication
Investigation and research
Negotiation and dispute resolution
Risk assessment and management
Development of organization-wide strategic planning and policy

Ability to: