City Attorney

Applications for the City Attorney position will be accepted on a continuous basis. The first review of applications will take place on June 25, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early for best consideration. The City of Sumner is looking for an experienced, strategic, and community-minded attorney to serve as our next City Attorney. This is far more than a traditional legal role, you'll be a key member of the City’s leadership team, helping shape policies, guide major decisions, protect public interests, and navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with a growing and vibrant community. We're looking for someone who can confidently move between the council chambers and the courtroom, provide practical legal advice to elected officials and staff, draft clear and effective ordinances, negotiate complex agreements, and help chart the City's future with a thoughtful legal perspective. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor, collaborative problem-solver, skilled communicator, and strategic thinker who enjoys public service and isn't afraid to tackle a little bit of everything. If you thrive in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same, value building strong relationships, and want to make a meaningful impact on a community that is proud of its past and excited about its future, we'd love to meet you. This is a full-time Fair Labor Standards Act exempt position. Attendance at evening meetings is required, and the employee is subject to after-hours emergency contact. This position serves under an individual employment agreement and is not subject to Civil Service rules or protections. General Purpose The City Attorney serves as the chief legal officer of the City and is responsible for planning, directing, and managing the provision of comprehensive legal services to the City. The City Attorney advises and represents the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, departments, boards, commissions, and other City officials and employees on a broad range of municipal legal matters. Responsibilities include providing legal counsel regarding municipal governance, policy development, regulatory compliance, public records and open government requirements, labor and employment matters, contracts, land use and development, risk management, real property transactions, and other matters affecting the City's operations and interests. Under the general supervisory direction of the City Administrator, the City Attorney assumes responsibility for carrying out departmental operations in accordance with federal, state, and city laws and general city policy. Initiative and judgment are used in providing expert advice and policy recommendations to the City Administrator, City Council and Mayor. Work is reviewed through periodic reports on the status of programs and operations. The incumbent directs supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff, directly and indirectly. Examples of Duties Listed below are examples of typical duties: Manage the department operations, including setting overall direction, goals and objectives, and priorities for the department; Supervise staff (including City Clerk, Attorneys, Public Records staff and support staff) and delegate responsibility and appropriate authority to staff; monitor daily work activities to ensure the timely and accurate completion of functional responsibilities; Ensure appropriate training and development of department staff; Attend all regular and special City Council sessions; providing legal advice as required. As required, attend and participate in meetings and conferences with other City commissions, committees, providing legal advice as required. Prepare, interpret and enforce the ordinances and regulations of the City; Prepare and/or review, interpret and enforce any contract or inter-local agreement to which the City is a party; Review proposed and enacted State and federal legislation for impact upon the City; recommend appropriate responses where necessary to protect the City's legal interests; analyze legal trends and developments impacting the City and recommend appropriate City responses of actions. Represent the City in court and before various administrative bodies; Prepare and ensure fiscal responsibility of the department budget; control and monitor expenses within the budget; Participate in, and provide leadership to City-wide long-range, strategic planning activities in coordination with the City Administrator; Participate in the City's short and long range planning to assure proper consideration of legal issues; identify optional positions for the City on legal matters; Negotiate real property acquisitions; Prepare and conduct verbal and written employee performance evaluations; recognize superior job performance; administer corrective and/or disciplinary actions for undesirable performance consistent with established City policy; receive and investigate complaints, taking action as necessary; Evaluate and award legal contracts to outside counsel; assign, direct and coordinate outside counsel work to assure compliance with specifications, timelines, budget and legal requirements. Coordinate Department functions with other City departments to ensure unified progress towards City objectives. Perform other duties as assigned. Education and Experience Graduation from law school with a Juris Doctorate degree, licensed to practice law in the State of Washington; and five (5) years of experience in the field of law with at least three (3) years municipal experience in criminal and/or civil matters, land use, labor law, transportation, general municipal law and administrative law; or a combination of education, experience, and training that indicates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position listed above. Special Requirements Licensed to practice law in the State of Washington and a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association. Knowledge Comprehensive municipal law, including torts, contracts, land use, utilities, labor law, public records, criminal law, constitutional law, government and administrative law, and municipal finance; Current literature, trends and developments in the field of municipal law; Courtroom procedures and techniques; Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Skills Exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City personnel, outside agencies, and the general public; Guide, direct, and motivate employees; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and Effectively delegate duties and responsibilities. Abilities Present legal arguments and opinions effectively and persuasively both in writing and verbally; Advise the City Council and staff on legal matters in a clear and concise manner; Conduct research on legal matters related to the administration of the City; Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, law and regulations relating to management activities; Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to various situations; Resolve conflicts and gain cooperation among conflicting groups; Complete work and projects in a thorough and timely manner; Effectively train, supervise, and evaluate department personnel (directly or indirectly); Apply judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies; Operate a personal computer with associated software and peripherals; Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and possess active listening skills; Maintain confidentiality of information; Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work; Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance. Understand the City's political environment and sensitivities; Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional, accurate and customer orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including business owners, government officials, general public and other staff. This would include in-person, written and oral communications; Contribute to achieving the City's Mission. Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation will not be tolerated. Complaints are addressed through the City’s formal processes. #J-18808-Ljbffr