Closing Date: 18th October, 2026

Description:

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

General Information:
Are you a seasoned municipal attorney who can advise elected officials with clarity, translate complex law into plain language, and lead a talented legal team? If so, apply to be the City of Ames's next City Attorney!

Please view full position brochure here: https://tinyurl.com/433hzwf4

Apply Here: https://www.governmentresource.com/recruitment/ames-ia-city-attorney/

We're looking for an exceptional legal leader who is:

A trusted, forward-facing advisor to the City Council, department directors, and the public
A strong land use and local government generalist who balances risk with sound, practical counsel
A confident litigator and problem solver who reads, interprets, and applies the law — then explains it in plain terms

Ames is a vibrant, progressive community of roughly 68,000 residents in the heart of central Iowa. Home to Iowa State University and located in Story County about 35 miles north of the state capital of Des Moines. Ames operates under a council-manager form of government. The Mayor and City Council set policy, while a professional City Manager oversees day-to-day operations.

The City Attorney's Office provides full-service legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, city staff, and the City's boards and commissions, and when available to the city-owned Mary Greeley Medical Center. The City Attorney reports to the Mayor and City Council.

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded local government attorney with strong land use expertise and the judgment to balance risk with practical, business-minded counsel.

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to DOQ.

For more information on this position, contact:
Michael D. Mallinoff, Esq. | Senior Vice President, Executive Recruitment

Strategic Government Resources

mdmallinoff@GovernmentResource.com

443-336-5772

Examples of Essential Job Functions:
The City Attorney's Office provides full-service legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, city staff, and the City's boards and commissions, and — when available — to the city-owned Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Reporting to the Mayor and City Council, the new City Attorney will:

Serve as chief legal advisor and attend City Council meetings, advising on the legality of operations, policies, and procedures
Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, legal opinions, and other documents
Represent the City in litigation and prosecute and defend suits in state and federal court
Lead, mentor, and manage the legal team and help administer the department's budget
Advise on land use, municipal utilities, property tax appeals, and construction matters

Qualifications:
Required qualifications include:

Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree
Admission to practice in Iowa state courts, or the ability to obtain admission within six months of appointment
Five (5) years of experience in general legal practice, including at least one year in litigation, negotiation, and contract law
Some experience in municipal or government law
Must pass a credit and background check

Preferred Qualifications include:

At least three (3) years in management and supervisory capacity over legal staff and/or a department
At least one (1) year of experience in real estate law or construction contracts
Demonstrated experience in land use, municipal utilities, and/or property tax matters