City Attorney

City Attorney Position

The City Attorney is the chief legal counsel for the City of Bothell and serves as the primary legal advisor to the City. Reporting to the City Manager, the City Attorney provides leadership, direction, and guidance for legal issues and provides counsel to the City Manager, City Council, staff, committees, and commissions. Furthermore, the City Attorney provides legal advice to guide City policies, decisions, and activities, and ensures that the City receives the highest-quality legal representation.

As the City transitions from outside counsel representation to in-house, the City Attorney will be an integral part of the City's executive leadership team, wearing an organization-wide hat and providing a citywide lens on complex policy matters. The City Attorney collaborates with key staff across all departments to provide legal advice and ensure projects are completed promptly and responsibly. This position analyzes legal trends, interprets concerns, and presents alternatives to the City Manager, City Council, and various City departments regarding major issues facing the City. The City Attorney develops solutions and identifies legal strategies to meet City goals and objectives and collaborates to resolve legal questions that arise during the development and implementation of City projects and programs.

The City Attorney leads the Legal Department and is responsible for hiring, directing, managing, and evaluating the Department's staff and assessing potential additional resource needs. The City Attorney provides policy direction and technical advice to ensure the proper and effective handling of legal issues and works to resolve and mediate sensitive, significant, and controversial issues. The City Attorney is a strategic systems thinker who will quickly understand and embody the values of Bothell and easily see the big picture and long-term vision for the City. They maintain an understanding of the issues affecting the Bothell community and leverage that knowledge to provide sound legal advice. With unquestioned integrity and ethics, the City Attorney is considered a thought partner and works in the best interest of the City at all times.

With a City first mentality, the City Attorney embraces collaboration and effortlessly partners with City leadership to identify solutions and provide legal advice and guidance in support of organizational goals. The successful candidate effectively engages in processes that enhance organizational productivity and creatively solves problems that align with Bothell's vision and values. The City Attorney demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to contributing to a culture that fosters belonging. Considered an active listener, the City Attorney is an effective communicator who promotes clear and concise communication to reduce ambiguity.

A minimum of seven years in the practice of municipal law, ideally with a successful track record as a City Attorney, Deputy/Assistant City Attorney, or experience in a private law firm advising municipal governments with a full range of municipal services. Direct leadership experience managing attorneys and paraprofessional legal personnel is essential. A broad, diverse municipal government background, with legal expertise in more than one area, is required. Specific knowledge of contracts, criminal justice, employment, land use, and procurement law is ideal. Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, rules, and ordinances applicable to City activities and functions, including municipal liability, data security, public meetings, public records, and public financing, is required.

A Juris Doctor from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or an equivalent combination of education and professional legal experience is required. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Washington and be in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or licensed in a state with the ability to be admitted to the Washington State Bar by motion.

The salary range for the City Attorney is $178,876 – $227,423 and will depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The City provides an excellent benefits package.

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position is open until filled, with a first review of applications beginning July 13, 2026.