Closing Date: 15th April, 2024

Description:

General Purpose:
General Summary:
A Government Entity has flourished into one of the fastest growing economies in the region with amenities and services offering topnotch quality of life for its residents, businesses and visitors.

The City Attorney shall be an individual attorney or law firm that shall perform the duties of the City Attorney under such terms, conditions, and compensation as may be established by the Council.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Supervision Received and Exercised:
The City Attorney reports to the City Council.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Typical Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Serve as legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, and other officials of the City.
  • Supervise the legal affairs of the City.
  • Draft and/or supervise the drafting of ordinances and resolutions for the City Council, provide explanations and answer questions as needed.
  • Attend Council Meetings and render legal advice when necessary.
  • Serve as a legislative liaison for the City with state and federal governments.
  • Draft and/or supervisor the drafting of contracts, deeds leases, releases, franchises and other legal documents on behalf of the City.
  • Represent the City in legal matters, bring suits necessary to be instituted by the City and defend the City in suits brought against it, and handle appellate litigation.
  • Decide major legal questions in litigation, claims, leases and contracts, land titles and related legal matters.
  • Prepare the departmental budget and oversee expenditures.
  • Prepare and supervise the preparation of legal opinions upon request from Councilmembers and administration.
  • Defend City employees in actions brought against them for conduct while in the line of duty.
  • Supervise and administer land transactions.
  • Makes decisions and recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of all staff of the Office of the City Attorney; performs evaluations, authorizes time off as described in the City Employee Policies and Procedures.
  • Perform other related tasks as required.

The City Attorney's Office shall be responsible for the following:
  • The City Attorney's Office shall prosecute and defend the City on all civil complaints, suits or controversies in which the City is a party, including the Code Enforcement Board in certiorari proceedings. Specifically, the City Attorney's Office is responsible for prosecuting and defending the City in civil action when no counsel is provided by liability insurance or when the City's exposure exceeds its insurance coverage. The City Attorney's Office may also represent an employee or elected official who is individually named in a suit as a result of the execution of official duties with the City. When the City's insurance coverage is activated on a given matter, the City Attorney's Office shall cooperate as necessary with the legal counsel designated by the City's liability insurance carrier to ensure that the matter is dealt with in an expedient and professional manner.
  • Serve as the attorney of record, or be responsible for the oversight of the attorney of record, in all civil suits, actions and legal proceedings wherein the City Council, departments, boards, City officials or employees are parties by virtue of their official positions or actions, unless such suits, actions or legal proceedings are assigned by the City to special counsel;
  • Remain current on federal, state and Florida local government law and legislative issues that may pertain to the operation of the City and provide direction, as appropriate, to the Mayor, City Council and staff.
  • Draft or review drafts of ordinances, charter amendments, resolutions, contracts, correspondence, and related documents;
  • Provide for the defense of all civil suits, actions and legal proceedings brought against the City unless such suits, actions or legal proceedings are assigned by the City or the City's insurer to special counsel;
  • Serve as legal adviser to the Mayor, City Council, Department Directors, and City staff;
  • Render written legal opinions on matters relating to city government and the interpretation, construction and meaning of the charter, statutes, ordinances, resolutions and contracts affecting or pertaining to city government;
  • Prepare or review and approve as to form and legal sufficiency, all City ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contract documents and other legal instruments affecting or pertaining to the City or in which the City is a party;
  • Attend and be present during all Council regular meetings, workshops and special meetings of the City Council. The number of council, special and/or cancelled meetings may vary each month and may be scheduled as required. The City Attorney's Office shall represent the Mayor and Council at each of these meetings, provide appropriate legal advice and/or written opinions, as necessary, and provide parliamentary guidance concerning the conduct of each of the meetings of the Council. When requested by the City Council, the City Attorney's Office must attend meetings of special committees of the City Council and meetings of City boards;
  • Perform all duties and functions imposed by general or special laws upon City Attorneys;
  • Monitor the performance of any duties assigned to special counsel;
  • Assist in the drafting and review of the City's Comprehensive Plan and any amendments thereof;
  • Keep the City Council and City staff informed of new laws or judicial opinions that could affect the City in any way;
  • As requested, the City Attorney's Office shall advise on insurance matters in coordination with the City's Risk Manager. The City Attorney's Office may also represent an employee or elected official who is individually named in a suit as a result of the execution of official duties with the City. When the City's insurance coverage is activated on a given matter, the City Attorney's Office shall cooperate as necessary with the legal counsel designated by the City's liability insurance carrier to ensure that the matter is dealt with in an expedient and professional manner;
  • As requested, the City Attorney's Office will provide city staff with assistance and counsel relating to the acquisition or sale of real property and in the review or preparation of deeds, easements and title matters;
  • As requested, the City Attorney's Office will provide the Doral Police Department with legal counsel and coordination on certain Confiscated Property Fund matters, Nuisance Abatement matters, and other matters primarily under the jurisdiction of the Doral Police Department;
  • The City Attorney's Office will perform other legal research and provide legal advice as requested by the Mayor, City Council, or City staff;
  • Participate in labor and other negotiations when requested;
  • When requested, interview witnesses, take testimony, review reports, and conduct legal research
  • The selected attorney shall maintain auditable records to account for all receipts and expenditures. Submit monthly reports of activities performed, including but not limited to status and updates on active files.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • The City Attorney shall have been admitted to practice in the State of Florida for no less than ten (10) years at the time of appointment, and have no less than five (5) years of experience in the practice of law for local government.
  • The City Attorney must be a member of good standing in the Florida Bar.