Deputy City Attorney I

Deputy City Attorney I Print Subscribe Class Title Deputy City Attorney I Class Code 5751 Salary $96,012.80 - $125,736.00 Annually + Definition + Benefits Classification Description Summary Under direction performs a full range of professional level legal work involved in providing legal advice and representation to the City in legal disputes, issues, or litigation; drafts various ordinances and resolutions; and provides responsible and complex administrative support to the assigned Chief Deputy City Attorney or City Attorney.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Deputy City Attorney I (Civil & Criminal)--This is the entry level class in the Deputy City Attorney series.

This class is distinguished from the Deputy City Attorney II by the amount of experience attained in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

Advancement to the "II" level is based on demonstrated proficiency and experience gained in the performance of assigned functions, and is at the discretion of the assigned Chief Deputy City Attorney and City Attorney.

Essential Functions The following duties are typical for this classification.

Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Research, draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements including inter-local agreements, land transactions, employment, planning, sewer, business licenses, grant proposals, and redevelopment agreements and contracts.

Draft, review, evaluate, revise, and recommend City ordinances, policies, and procedures; explain and promote City policies and issues to employees, elected officials, and the general public.

Perform legal research and provide legal opinions to educate various departments, boards, commissions, agencies, and established committees regarding specific laws, contracts, and agreements.

Review, evaluate, negotiate, and consult on all claims, court complaints, cross claims, and third party accusations filed against the City; determine legal impact of specific cases on City operations.

Prepare, file, research, and represent the City in all administrative agency, state, and federal appellate actions.

Review, analyze, answer, oppose, initiate, research, and file pleadings in court actions; perform discovery including interrogatories, depositions, investigations, evidence preparation, and preparation of reports; respond to motions filed by defendants and/or attorneys.

Serve as City's counsel in court appearances, mediation, arbitration, negotiation, and conferences with opposing counsel; prepare cases for trial; prepare legal strategy for trial, discovery, negotiations, resolutions, mediation, arbitration, and court appearances; negotiate resolutions or conduct trial at various courts including Reno Municipal Court, Second Judicial District Court, Court of Appeals, District Court, and other courts; answer briefs for appeals of court decisions.

Prepare trial dockets; screen misdemeanor cases to ensure all evidence is obtained and witnesses notified/subpoenaed; interview victims and witnesses; consult with victim advocates; review and analyze the case and conduct legal research as needed; delegate additional research functions and collect additional evidence.

Conduct traffic arraignments and in-custody arraignments.

Review cases submitted by the Reno Police Department misdemeanor unit for possible issuance of warrant or summons.

Advise and facilitate communication and exchange of information between client agencies and agencies outside of the City.

Coordinate, negotiate, and interact with various local, state, federal, and other agencies.

Advise and participate in the development and conduct of assigned client agency regulation and enforcement programs.

Attend and participate in a variety of meetings; offer legal advice and respond to questions from department staff and board members.

Participate on a variety of boards and commissions.

Provide training to City employees and professional groups; prepare written materials, lectures, and supporting visual aids.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of municipal law; incorporate new developments as appropriate.

Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of: Legal principles, practices, and procedures of civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law.

Duties, powers, and limitations of a city government.

Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.

Methods and techniques of legal research.

Methods of research, case analysis, and report preparation.

Standard legal references and their content.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to: Learn legal precedents and court decisions affecting local government.

Learn statutes and codes applicable to civil proceedings.

Learn to properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.

Learn to present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly and logically.

Learn to effectively apply legal knowledge and principles in court.

Research and compile data on a variety of legal cases.

Determine the legal impact of specific laws on City operations.

Provide legal advice, legislative support, and consultation to City departments, boards, and commissions.

Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; plan, prioritize, and execute timelines without supervision.

Meet critical deadlines while working with frequent interruptions.

Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality regarding critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.

Prepare clear and concise legal documents and briefs.

Conduct research on legal problems.

Interact with the media.

Work in a team based environment to achieve common goals.

Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously.

Meet the physical requirements to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines -Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Education/Training: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.

Experience: One year of experience in city or government law is desirable.

License or Certificate: Possession of a license to practice law in the State of Nevada.

Supplemental Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting and occasionally in a courtroom environment; travel to different locations; extensive public contact.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Other Requirements Mid-Management B32 Last Update: 5/2022 JD 11/2018 Please use this Health and Welfare Benefit Link ( to learn more about the City of Reno's great employee benefit plans and wellness programs.

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