Chief Litigation Counsel

Closing Date: 20th March, 2026

Description:

Job Summary:
Lead and manage the City's litigation portfolio and provide strategic legal guidance on complex legal matters affecting municipal operations. This senior legal position is responsible for overseeing all civil litigation involving the City, including claims, lawsuits, administrative proceedings, and risk-related matters. The Chief Litigation Counsel represents the City in court and before administrative bodies, directs outside counsel when engaged, and works closely with City leadership and departments to assess legal risk, develop litigation strategies, and protect the City's interests.

The Chief Litigation Counsel is a member of the City Attorney's Office, and reports to and is under authority of the City Attorney. This employee provides assistance to the City Attorney by devoting personal attention to all litigation matters which affect the City. Due to the wide scope of activities to which attention must be given, there is great need for independent judgement, and a very high degree of responsibility is required.

The Requirements:
Education/Experience:
Required:
Graduation from an accredited law school (L.L.B. or J.D. Degree) and membership in good standing in the Florida Bar. Member in good standing of the trial bar of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. At least five (5) years of experience practicing in the area of civil litigation, with particular emphasis upon actual civil trial experience.

Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Membership in good standing in the Florida Bar
• Member in good standing of the trial bar of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
• Valid Driver's License: With proof of automobile insurance
• Background Check: Must have an acceptable background record
• Driving Abstract: Must have an acceptable driving record

The Examination
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Independently handles both trial level and appellate litigation and related court matters as directed.
• Supervises Assistant City Attorneys assigned to litigation as directed by the City Attorney.
• Reads and reviews selected publications to keep current on changes in laws which affect the City.
• Researches legal issues as directed by the City Attorney.
• Drafts legal opinions for Department Heads and City Commissioners.
• Provides advice to various departments within the City so as to prevent or limit future litigation, and to further the City's interests once litigation has commenced, as directed by the City Attorney.
• Handles and/or supervises outside counsel in the handling of labor arbitrations.
• Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.
• Establishes and maintains effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.
• Handles court appearances in all courts in the State of Florida at both the state and federal levels.
• Performs related work as required for this position description only.

Additional Information:
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal, state, county, and municipal laws and regulations.
• Ability to research and analyze day-to-day issues.
• Ability to logically research and present alternate solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials and employees, City Commissioners and outside legal counsel.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing as well as the ability to make presentations before elected bodies and commissions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.

Physical Demands:
The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May require fingering: picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment that requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

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