City Attorney in Herriman, Utah at City of Herriman

A priority review of applications will take place on Friday August 14th, and selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Herriman City is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as its next City Attorney and a key member of the executive leadership team. This position serves as the City's Chief Legal Officer, oversees the Legal and Human Resources Departments, and partners with elected officials and City leadership to address the legal, operational, and strategic issues that shape the organization and community.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Serve as the City’s Chief Legal Officer, providing legal counsel and representation for the City, its redevelopment agencies, and other local districts. Oversee all municipal legal matters, including directing the prosecution of criminal cases within the jurisdiction of the Herriman City Justice Court. Provide leadership and strategic direction for the City’s Legal and Human Resources departments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Receives direction from the City Manager.

ANTICIPATED HIRING SALARY RANGE $170,000 - $190,000 DOE

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

· Serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team, providing strategic legal counsel on organizational priorities, policy initiatives, and operational decisions.

· Serves as the chief legal advisor to the City, redevelopment agencies, and other affiliated local districts, providing legal counsel and representation in all civil matters, including litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.

· Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and provides legal guidance on contracts, development agreements, bonds, financial agreements, interlocal agreements, and other legally significant documents.

· Drafts, reviews, and provides legal analysis of ordinances, resolutions, policies, and administrative regulations; recommend and prepare updates to the municipal code as necessary.

· Represents the City in the negotiation and preparation of development agreements and other complex real estate and economic development transactions.

· Advises the City Manager, City Council, elected officials, department directors, and staff on all aspects of municipal law, including governance, land use, employment, procurement, utilities, public records, ethics, and regulatory compliance.

· Identifies, evaluates, and advises City leadership regarding legal risks associated with proposed legislation, administrative actions, policies, and operational decisions, and recommend strategies to mitigate legal exposure.

· Directs and supervises the prosecution of criminal offenses within the City's jurisdiction, including case screening, discovery, plea negotiations, trial preparation, and court proceedings.

· Manages claims and litigation involving the City, including defending and prosecuting legal actions to protect the City's interests, coordinating litigation strategy, and retaining and managing outside legal counsel when appropriate.

· Reviews City operations, policies, procedures, and business practices to identify potential legal liabilities and recommend risk management and compliance improvements.

· Provides legal oversight for City utility matters, including contracts, easements, property acquisition, water rights, rate disputes, regulatory compliance, and related claims.

· Provides legal counsel to the City Recorder regarding records management and compliance with the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), including responses to records requests and appeals before the State Records Committee or district court.

· Assists in resolving complex or sensitive resident complaints, disputes, and legal matters that present potential liability or legal risk to the City.

· Reviews and responds to subpoenas, public records issues, and other legal process served upon the City or its employees.

· Attends and provide legal counsel during meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, boards, commissions, committees, and other meetings as assigned.

· Monitors changes in federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court decisions affecting municipal government, and advise City leadership regarding operational and policy impacts.

· Performs other related duties as assigned. Duties and responsibilities may be modified, expanded, reassigned, or reorganized at the direction of the City Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

· Graduated from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.

Experience:

· Five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience, including at least two (2) years practicing municipal law for or on behalf of a local government entity.

OR

· An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

Certifications/Licenses:

· Active license to practice law in the State of Utah.

· Member in good standing with the Utah State Bar.

Additional Requirements:

· Must be at least 18 years of age.

· Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening, criminal background investigation, and driving record review.

· Must be able to obtain and maintain Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) clearance.

· Must maintain all required continuing legal education (CLE) requirements and licensure necessary to practice law in the State of Utah.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience serving as legal counsel for a municipality or other public-sector entity.

· Experience in municipal litigation, land use and development, public utilities, employment law, public finance, procurement, or public records law.

· Ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

· Federal and Utah laws, administrative regulations, and court decisions applicable to municipal government.

· Municipal governance, public administration, land use, development, procurement, employment law, public finance, utilities, public records, and open meetings requirements.

· Legal research methods, litigation procedures, legal writing, contract preparation, and statutory interpretation.

· Risk management principles and governmental liability.

· Modern office technology, legal software, and Microsoft Office applications.

Skill in:

· Providing practical legal advice and sound judgment on complex legal issues.

· Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, ordinances, resolutions, policies, legal opinions, and other legal documents.

· Conducting legal research, analyzing statutes and case law, and applying legal principles to factual situations.

· Managing litigation, negotiations, and dispute resolution.

· Communicating complex legal concepts clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

· Building collaborative relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, employees, outside counsel, governmental agencies, and the public.

Ability to:

· Exercise sound legal judgment while balancing legal risk with operational and policy objectives.

· Analyze complex legal issues and develop practical, legally defensible solutions.

· Manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and sensitive matters while maintaining confidentiality.

· Work independently with minimal supervision while effectively collaborating across departments.

· Present legal issues and recommendations in a clear, concise, and professional manner.

· Interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court decisions.

· Maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, City leadership, employees, outside agencies, and members of the public.

· Working knowledge of administrative procedures and of legal processes associated with the maintenance of public records and documents.

· Ability to exercise independent judgment and to act resourcefully under varying conditions.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, elected officials, and other agencies of the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

· Work is performed primarily in a professional office environment with standard climate controls.

· The position requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, speaking, hearing, and using a computer and other office equipment.

· Frequent use of hands and fingers for keyboarding and document preparation is required.

· The position requires significant analytical thinking, concentration, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

· Occasional attendance at evening meetings, public hearings, court proceedings, or other meetings outside normal business hours may be required.

· Occasional travel to courts, governmental offices, conferences, or other work locations may be required.

· May occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

· Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employee's normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

Associated with this position will be confidential and proprietary information of Herriman City. Employee acknowledges that this information will not be shared with others outside the discharge of duties. Confidential and proprietary information shall mean information not generally known to the public.

The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not to be considered an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, requirements or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Herriman City reserves the right to add or change duties at any time and provides for a twelve (12) month probation or evaluation employment period. Changes in employment status during this evaluation period are not subject to cause.

NOTICES

In accordance with Utah Code 71A-2, we provide Veterans’ Preference in the hiring process. Applicants requesting preference must email their DD-214 or other official military service documentation to hr@herriman.gov. Human Resources will review the submitted documentation and note the applicant’s Veterans’ Preference status for consideration during the recruitment process. The organization appreciates the service of all veterans and encourages eligible applicants to apply.

Civil Rights Coordinator: Please feel free to reach out to our Civil Rights Coordinator at any time. HR Manager 801.727.0906.