DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY II

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides a broad range of professional legal services to the City, to City departments and other
municipal organizations, including the School Board, and to staff. Generally regarded as a provider of
the most complex legal services, for attorneys having at least seven years’ experience as a practicing
attorney in a municipal law office.

WORK BEHAVIORS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Counsel Relationships:

Acts as general counsel to specific major City departments and other municipal organizations,
including the School Board.

Litigation:

Litigation of substantial numbers of moderately complex cases and some of the most complex
cases, in federal and state trial courts, occasionally in federal and state appellate courts, and
before administrative tribunals. Exercises considerable discretion and independent professional
judgment with respect to means and methods.

Regularly required to prepare pleadings and occasionally required to prepare briefs or
memoranda for submission to the courts.

Demonstration of expertise in civil procedure and the rules of evidence.

Subject Matter Expertise:

Demonstration of expertise in specific subject matter areas critical to the practice of law in a
municipal law office. Work typically requires application of sophisticated legal principles and
occasionally requires management of highly sensitive issues.

Regular legal research into further specific applications of basic legal principles.

Demonstration of strong writing skills.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA

CITY OF OPPORTUNITY

Human Resources Department

700 Town Center Drive, Suite

200 Newport News, VA 23606

Phone: (757) 926-1800

Fax: (757) 926-1825

JOB DESCRIPTION

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY

CITY ATTORNEY

In Addition:

Occasionally provides training, guidance and technical assistance to more junior attorneys.

Occasionally monitors legal services provided by and administers agreements with outside
counsel.

Occasionally participates in the activities of professional organizations.

Demonstration of strong organizational and time management skills required for successful
resolution of conflicting demands for legal services.

Improvement of knowledge of current developments in relevant areas of the law through
continuing legal education. Satisfaction of annual mandatory continuing legal education
requirements imposed by the Virginia State Bar.

Work is performed with occasional supervision after an orientation period, generally with a
more senior attorney specifically assigned to provide training, guidance and technical assistance
as requested. Many tasks are performed without supervision.

May assume responsibilities normally assigned to other job ranks depending on demands of the
Office. Special projects as assigned by the City Attorney.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD:

Must be a team player who functions successfully in a collaborative work environment and
communicates effectively with other members of the City Attorney’s Office.

Must have the ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, City department
staff, citizens and counsel for third parties in an environment that frequently requires managing
conflicting work demands and meeting tight deadlines.

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community
and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also
expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.



REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of a wide range of legal principles; general knowledge of legal principles
applicable to local governments in Virginia.

Thorough knowledge of methods of legal research, including LexisNexis and Westlaw, and of methods
of investigating background and evidentiary facts, including use of internet resources.

Analytical and organizational skills appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed.

Writing skills appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed.

Verbal communication skills appropriate to the nature of the work to be performed.

Understanding of and use of word processing software and Windows-based computer and software
systems.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of two years in classification as an Senior Assistant City Attorney, or equivalent experience
in other employment as a practicing attorney.



SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Admitted to the practice of law as an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar.

Valid driver’s license and an acceptable background check.




NOTE: This is a statement of representative responsibilities, work behaviors and requirements for the
job. Not all responsibilities and work behaviors are stated. Not all positions covered by the job
description will perform all responsibilities. Employees may be assigned similar or related work and
any other work necessary to accomplish assigned responsibilities. Education and experience are stated
in terms generally required to provide the entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for the
position. This is an exempt position.