Interim City Attorney (Hybrid)

Sherwood is one of the fastest-growing cities in Oregon, with a population of nearly 20,500. With this growth comes thriving businesses, modern amenities, and a ranking as the state's 30th largest city — all with the small-town charm and friendliness that defines Sherwood. The 4.1-square-mile community is located on the southern edge of the Portland metropolitan area. The City of Sherwood operates under a council-manager form of government. The Council comprises the Mayor and six City Councilors.

Working under the general direction of the mayor and City Council, the City Attorney serves as Sherwood's chief legal counsel, advancing and protecting the City's and its citizens' interests in all matters. The City of Sherwood is seeking a consummate professional to serve as their Interim City Attorney while our Full Time City Attorney is deployed. We are looking for a problem solver and “people person” who embraces a collaborative team environment and open communication style.

Examples of Duties:
Primary Duties:

• Provide legal assistance and serve as advisor to elected officials, City Manager, and staff. Serve effectively as the legal counsel and provide strategic leadership to the City in legal matters. Assist and advise other departments in matters of law, legal liability, ordinances and policy.
• Advise Mayor and Council on legal constraints and on available choices for politics and practices. Advise on resolution of contested issues at entity level to avoid litigation. Draft and negotiate contracts and agreements with public and private entities as directed by the Mayor and Council. Advise on confidential entity-level policy matters and implementation of policy direction.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports for information and action for the Mayor and City Council, City Manager, staff, and City Boards and Commissions; research and provide legal opinions.
• Draft, review, and interpret City ordinances and codes. Draft agreements, contracts, and other legal documents for the City. Review and negotiate City contracts. Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local law.
• Attend and participate in recurring and specialized meetings and workshops including City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, workshops, task forces, internal staff meetings, and community meetings, as necessary to assist in development of legislative and administrative policies within the framework of the law.
• Represent the City to the public, before the media, in legal or administrative proceedings, to other organizations or entities, and in other situations as required. Make presentations and provides comment and testimony. Advance and protect the interests of the City and its citizens in all matters.
• Research and interpret the application of laws, court decisions and other legal authorities for the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs.
• Represent the City in litigation and appeals in prosecuting claims and defending lawsuits. Monitor and assist with cases handled by outside counsel.
• Confer with colleagues with specialty areas of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings; and serve as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City officials on specialized legal issues.
• Assign, supervise and evaluate work of assigned employees.
• Prepare annual department budget.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with City staff, other organizations and the general public.
• Follow all safety rules and procedures for work areas.

Auxiliary Job Functions:
Maintains proficiency in municipal law through training, professional journals, and technology-based resources. Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.

Typical Qualifications:

• Candidates for this position must be admitted to the Oregon State Bar and have at least 3 years of experience in the practice of municipal law or local government with emphasis and expertise in one or more specialty areas such as land use, first amendment, public meetings and records, public contracts, and Oregon growth boundary policy.
• Mandatory requirements include experience as legal counsel for a public agency, progressively responsible experience in management and supervision, or any satisfactory combination of experience and training demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the above duties.
• Candidates should be available to attend evening meetings as necessary.
• Candidates should have knowledge of all areas of municipal law, court processes and procedures, and be able to perform legal research in complex areas, work independently, and prioritize work to meet the needs of the City. They must also have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Local government experience as in-house legal counsel in Oregon is preferred.