Closing Date: 27th October, 2025

Description:

Position Overview:
The Assistant City Attorney acts as a legal advisor to all levels of City government. This position provides expertise on tax assessment litigation and also analyzes complex legal issues, evaluates alternative approaches to problems, and implements sound solutions. The Assistant City Attorney also prepares legal opinions, pleadings, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, staff reports, and similar documents; represents the City in civil and administrative proceedings and transactional matters; and responds to inquiries from City officials, City staff, community organizations, state and local agencies, and the general public.

The pay range for this position is $104,208 - $133.182.40 annually, with the starting salary depending on experience and qualifications. This is complemented by an excellent benefits package, a robust wellness program, an on-site fitness center, a free workplace clinic, paid parental leave, generous paid holidays and vacation, a pension plan, volunteer time off, a flexible workplace environment, and the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals who have a passion for public service. (Click the Benefits tab to find out more!)

Essential Functions:
The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Manages the City's tax assessment litigation by representing the city's interests in disputes over local taxes. This includes resolving tax controversies, defending against challenges, and pursuing delinquent taxes. It is estimated that tax assessment litigation will be 60% of this position's primary focus. This position will start as working alongside outside counsel on these matters and gradually work toward becoming lead counsel.
Advises City staff and City Officials on various areas of policy and municipal law.
Serves as City's parliamentarian in the absence of the City Attorney.
Represents the City independently in a wide scope of litigation matters pertaining to the City.
Represents the City of Wauwatosa to prosecute ordinance violations in municipal court.
Advocates on behalf of the City in a wide variety of settings, including negotiations, property maintenance cases, dispute resolutions, mediations, trials, hearings, and administrative processes, to resolve disputes or legal actions.
Assists the City Attorney in managing outside counsel and legal services contracts.
Briefs, makes presentations, and/or prepares reports to City officials and City staff.
Educates on and assists in open records and open meetings compliance.
Negotiates, drafts, and reviews contracts, real estate documents, and agreements.
Reviews contracts and insurance information submitted to and by City departments.
Drafts legislation, code provisions, regulations, ordinances, amendments, resolutions, and guidelines or policies.
Attends public meetings of City Council, boards, and commissions and advises and addresses members in closed sessions or public presentations. These responsibilities will primarily fall to the City Attorney and will be assigned as needed to this position.
Represents the City in a variety of matters before judicial or quasi-judicial bodies or commissions, including the preparation of pleadings, conducting discovery, and preparing for and proceeding to hearing or trial.
Responds timely and appropriately to inquiries from the general public and media about public information and municipal regulations and procedures.
Compiles data, statistics, or other information related to legal work for reports.
Maintains current knowledge of legal issues and precedents, attends and participates in professional group meetings, participates in professional development activities, reads publications relevant to ongoing work.
Performs other related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Minimum Requirements:
Education and Experience Requirements:

Law degree from an accredited college or university.
Three to five years of independent litigation experience required, in areas related to municipal and government matters strongly preferred.
Experience in tax assessment litigation strongly preferred.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:
Licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Qualifications
In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.

Considerable knowledge of municipal law and government processes; statutes and laws of Wisconsin and judicial interpretation and precedent; municipal laws and ordinances.
Strong knowledge in tax assessment litigation strongly preferred.
Ability to prepare complex briefs, opinions, and pleadings.
Superior oral and written communication skills.
Exceptional judgement and discretion.
Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal documents, financial reports, and other documentation.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community with appropriate legal response.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
Knowledge of governmental policies, processes, and procedures preferred.

In evaluating candidates for this position, The City of Wauwatosa may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

Additional Information:
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, twist and reach. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is also regularly required to talk and hear, in person, in meetings and by telephone. They will need to interact with city management, employees, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to safely lift and carry up to 10 pounds occasionally.

Work Environment:
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. An employee in this class generally works in a standard office environment with exposure to individuals who may be agitated, angry or highly emotional.

The employee must have the ability to work at different City locations on occasion.