City Attorney at City of Colorado Springs – Colorado Springs, Colorado

* We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received.*

City Attorney

The City of Colorado Springs is seeking an experienced and highly qualified attorney to serve as its next City Attorney. This executive-level role leads the City Attorney’s Office and serves as the chief legal advisor to City Council, the Mayor, City departments and enterprises, boards and commissions, and City employees.

The City Attorney’s Office advises the Mayor, City Council, their appointees, and City enterprises, including Colorado Springs Utilities - as well as City boards, commissions, committees, and staff in the conduct of City business. The Office represents the City in all court cases where the City has an interest and prosecutes all cases docketed in Municipal Court. The City Attorney oversees four divisions: Corporate, Litigation & Employment, Prosecution, and Utilities.

Learn more about the City Attorney's Office: City Attorney's Office | City of Colorado Springs

About the City of Colorado Springs

Nestled at the base of majestic Pikes Peak - America’s Mountain, Colorado Springs is home to more than 506,000 residents and spans 195 square miles of breathtaking landscapes. With 243 days of sunshine annually, the City offers an exceptional quality of life, combining natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and economic opportunity.

Colorado Springs features over 150 parks and 375 miles of trails, a thriving downtown and diverse neighborhoods, and a strong military, academic, and nonprofit presence. It is home to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Museum and has a growing reputation as a hub for aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity industries.

The City operates under a Council-Mayor form of government, led by a popularly elected Mayor and nine-member City Council.

Learn more about the City's Strategic Plan and our Mayor here: Mayor's Office

The Position

As City Attorney, you will lead the City’s legal strategy and services, ensuring that the organization operates within the law while advancing its strategic goals. You will provide high-level legal counsel to elected officials, City leadership, departments, enterprises, boards, commissions, and employees on a wide range of complex issues.

You will oversee all litigation and legal matters involving the City, including legal research, contract review, ordinance and resolution development, and other core advisory functions. The City Attorney represents the City in court proceedings, administrative hearings, negotiations, and other legal forums as needed, and ensures that legal services are delivered in a timely, effective, and efficient manner across the organization.

This role includes leadership and management of a talented team of division attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff. You will be responsible for staffing, performance management, work assignments, and the use and oversight of outside counsel. You will also partner closely with City leadership to shape policy, support compliance, and anticipate and address legal risks.

Learn more about this job by reviewing the class specification on the City Attorney Class Specifications

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned municipal or government law practitioner with a strong record of leadership and service. They are an exceptional communicator who can clearly explain complex legal issues to diverse audiences, a strategic thinker who anticipates challenges and develops practical legal solutions, and a collaborative leader committed to trust, transparency, and high ethical standards. This individual thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic public-sector environment and is energized by the opportunity to support a growing and vibrant city.

• JD (Juris Doctor) or LLB (Bachelor's of Law) from an ABA (American Bar Association) accredited law school.
• Ten years of demonstrated legal experience.
• Three years of legal supervisory experience and/or three years of experience mentoring other attorneys.
• Admission to the Colorado Bar as an attorney in good standing.

• Experience with a Colorado governmental entity.
• Experience advising a city council or other legislative/advisory board.
• Experience with the Colorado Open Records Act and Colorado Open Meetings Law.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and revising legal documents, including, but not limited to, formal legal opinions, legislation, and agreements.
• Experience managing or supervising the work of other attorneys, paralegals, and project managers.

A complete application consists of a résumé, cover letter, and a writing sample.

The writing sample must have been drafted within the past five (5) years, be no more than five (5) pages in length, and may not be a pleading. Writing samples containing privileged or confidential attorney-client communications are not permitted unless the applicant has obtained a valid waiver of privilege.

The background check process for this position includes being fingerprinted. Fingerprints will be used to check the FBI's criminal history records.

Please contact Kristen Clinton at Kristen.Clinton@coloradosprings.gov for any questions about this position.