The Position

The City of Charlottesville is seeking an experienced, trusted legal advisor to serve as its next City Attorney. The next City Attorney will serve a community that strives to solve community issues with creativity and innovation and needs a strategic legal advisor who can help guide this in a lawful and thoughtful manner. The City Attorney reports to the City Manager, and advises the City Council, City leadership, and boards and commission. The City Attorney leads a talented staff and will be able to build on that talent by hiring a Chief Deputy Attorney to complement the existing team.

The position provides functional supervision for legal action involving the City, the interpretation and application of laws and ordinances affecting the City, and the preparation of legal documents and legal opinions for the City of Charlottesville. The City Attorney attends all City Council meetings, provides legal advice and appropriate information when necessary, and serves as staff on a variety of board, commission, and other professional meetings. The City Attorney supervises the drafting of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, releases, franchises, and other legal documents on behalf of the City. Additionally, the City Attorney serves as a legislative liaison with state and federal governments, prepares drafts of bills for the Virginia General Assembly, and analyzes legislation affecting the City.

Furthermore, the City Attorney oversees and coordinates investigations and audits related to City legal programs and matters, provides daily legal advice to City officers, departments, and agencies, and defends City employees in actions brought against them for conduct while in the line of duty. The City Attorney reports to the City Manager and has high interaction with the Council. The City Attorney assumes management responsibility for assigned services and activities, plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for direct reports, assigns work activities, projects, and programs, and reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures. Additionally, the City Attorney hires, supervises, coaches, mentors, and trains assigned City staff, providing career development and appropriate performance management and corrective action as necessary. They prepare and monitor the departmental budget and oversee and authorize expenditures. The office structure and responsibilities are designed to ensure efficient and effective service delivery, with a focus on improving processes and systems across departments.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $195,000-$225,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at jobs.crelate.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning January 6, 2025.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include graduation from an accredited law school of recognized standing with a juris doctorate and a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law with management and supervisory experience. Applicants must also be a member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar or be eligible to practice law in Virginia upon appointment.

Preferred qualifications include five (5) or more years of active legal experience in the practice of municipal law, including providing clear legal advice in land use, contracts, employment, legislative, public records and meeting, and public finance. A successful track record as a City or County Attorney, Deputy/Assistant Attorney, or experience in a private law firm advising City/County clients is preferred.

Residency is not required. Attendance at City Council and other evening meetings and working in the office is required. This is not a remote-work position.

About City of Charlottesville

Raftelis provides executive search, facilitation and strategic planning, and organizational assessment and optimization to local governments and nonprofit organizations nationwide.

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