DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY

** This position is exempt from the provisions applicable to civil service and serves at the pleasure of the City Attorney. **

About Milwaukee

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed historic charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Manage a division of attorneys of the Office of the City Attorney so that quality legal services are provided to City of Milwaukee departments and officials.

Leadership and Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise the work of the staff attorneys and support staff in providing legal advice.
• Supervise those in his/her division in the preparation of legal opinions, negotiations, and legal proceedings that impact the City.
• Supervise staff attorneys on their provision of legal advice to City Departments, the Office of the Mayor, the Common Council, and Administrative Boards in all areas of municipal law.
• Supervise staff regarding correspondence, legal communications, and other necessary documents.
• Review and approve documents, contracts, and legal proceedings in which the City has an interest.
• Handle major litigation with staff attorneys.

Policy Administration

• Prepare and review resolutions to the Common Council.
• Advise the City Attorney on major legal matters and office operations.
• Communicate with elected officials.
• Work on the directives and vision of the City Attorney.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Please be advised that new employees are required to have received either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their employment start date or have an approved religious or medical accommodation prior to their employment start date. You can find further information relative to the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy here.

1. Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
2. License to practice law in Wisconsin, Eastern and Western District of Wisconsin, is required at the time of appointment.
3. Five years of experience practicing law that includes at least two years of legal leadership experience.

• Experience with Section 1983 litigation.
• Supervisory experience.
• Municipal government legal experience.

Leadership

• Ability to be an effective mentor and leader with a track record of setting a positive example of competence, professionalism, work ethic, and trust.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively administer a municipal legal department through effective hiring, management, training, and coaching.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all associates are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural competence and be able to promote the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Technical

• Knowledge of modern policies and practices of municipal law and public administration and considerable knowledge of managerial principles, techniques, and practices.
• Knowledge of the broad spectrum of laws and procedures relating to municipal affairs, such as the Open Public Meetings Act, public records, ethics and conflict of interest, as well as governmental contracting, labor, employment, land use, real property, litigation, and municipal liability.
• Skill in providing legal advice to clients such as city councils, chief administrative officers, department heads, boards, and commissions; ability to provide strategic advice to assist clients in achieving the City’s objectives.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Superior written communication skills to be able to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents as well as compose policies, narratives, reports, articles, and correspondence.
• Political acumen to be able to understand and function effectively within the City’s political environment.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly, logically, and persuasively and adapt communication styles to varied audiences both large and small.
• Interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.

Critical Thinking and Planning

• Organizational skills to be able to oversee workflow processes.
• Strategic planning skills to be able to establish and achieve objectives.
• Analytical skills, ability to exercise sound, independent judgment within general guidelines, decision-making skills, and ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion.
• Ability to approach problem-solving with creativity and tenacity to find innovative solutions to challenges.

Professionalism

• Ability to provide responsible stewardship of City resources and to represent the City of Milwaukee professionally and ethically.
• Ability to manage competing and changing priorities under pressure and produce high quality work product.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding all aspects of the role.

The current annual salary range (Pay Range 1OX) is $112,903-$158,060 and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $116,290-$162,802. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

· Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments.

o Please send the following via email to scrowe@milwaukee.gov by 11:59 PM on Friday, November 18, 2022.

1. cover letter,

2. resume, and

3. legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages).

· Please indicate “Deputy City Attorney” in the subject line.

· Inquiries regarding the selection process may be directed to Sharon Crowe by calling 414.286.8822 or via email at scrowe@milwaukee.gov.

The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after Friday, November 18, 2022. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.