Full or Part Time Attorney at Law

Job Summary Under the direction of the City Attorney, plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive legal services for the City; provide counsel to the City Council, staff, committees, and commissions; may hire, train, assign, supervise, discipline, and evaluate the work of assigned professional and support legal staff; provide legal advice to guide City policies, decisions, and activities; represent the City and supervise and direct representation of the City at various court levels and tribunals in criminal and civil litigation, as well as in administrative hearings; draft and interpret City ordinances, resolutions, policies, and contracts. Serve as Acting City Attorney as required.

General Counsel: 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; participate in meetings and conferences with other City boards, commissions, committees, administrative officers, and staff personnel; provide legal advice as required. Attend and participate in county, regional, and state‑wide legal task forces, committees, associations, and organizations.

Legal Documents: Direct or participate in the drafting and review of letters, ordinances, contracts, resolutions, policies, real estate documents, and other legal documents enacted by the City to assure proper wording, limit the City's liability, assure the City's intent is carried out, compliance with applicable laws is adhered, and protect the City's interest; draft opinion letters as required or requested.

Legal Updates and Training: Track legal and policy issues of importance to the City; review legal journals and utilize networks to establish contacts and sources of information relevant to the City; recommend appropriate responses where necessary to protect the City's legal interests; analyze legal trends and developments impacting the City; Monitor recommendations from the City's insurance pool and provide internal training as necessary.

Litigation Management: Assure effective representation of the City in litigation, ranging from coordinating insurance defense representing the City in Superior Court in civil and appellate matters. Similarly manage routine administrative hearings and litigation such as Abatement Hearings, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO), Code Enforcement and matters coming before the Hearing Examiner. Serve as counsel to assigned departments and as primary counsel to the Planning and Public Works Department.

Policies, Codes, and Ordinances: Participate in decisions related to general City policies and operations; provide legal advice to guide City policies, decisions, and activities; draft and interpret City ordinances and resolutions to include code enforcement, land use, community development; collaborate with other departments to develop and refine provisions of the Uniform Building Code and related codes; Staff Supervision: May hire, train, assign, supervise, discipline, and evaluate the work of professional and support legal staff; Review documents prepared by legal staff to assure proper legal principles and procedures are followed and to assure that legal advice to City clients is accurate, responsive, and sensitive to political and policy considerations.

Education, Experience, And Other Requirements A law degree with admission to practice law in the State of Washington and five (5) years comprehensive legal experience, including increasingly responsible legal management and administrative duties. Land use and planning, as well as governmental law experience preferred.

Public Records Act compliance preferred.

Knowledge Of Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training.

Theory, structure, and practice of municipal law, particularly as it applies to the Council‑Manager form of government.

Civil and criminal litigation and appellate techniques.

Code enforcement, land use, community development, and public works codes and ordinances.

Research methods and report writing techniques.

City organization, operations, policies, and objectives.

Complex legal record keeping techniques and requirements.

Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.

Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability To Plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive legal services for the City.

Hire, train, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of assigned professional and support legal staff.

Provide sound and effective legal advice to guide City policies, decisions, and activities.

Represent the City at various court levels and tribunals in civil litigation.

Draft and interpret City ordinances and resolutions.

Prepare and review complex legal documents and instruments.

Practice law, identifying legal opportunities to accomplish the City's objectives.

Communicate complex legal issues verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences in a clear, comprehensive, effective, and professional manner.

Read, interpret, explain, and apply legal and technical language.

Develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, business leaders, advisory boards, the news media, and the general public. WORK ENVIRONMENT Works primarily indoors in a climate-controlled office environment with low noise levels.

Frequent fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching/handling/fingering/grasping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc. Frequent standing in combination with walking (short distances) throughout work shift in office areas. Occasional pushing/pulling force up to 10 pounds opening doors, drawers, and moving materials. Requires mental acuity to ensure thorough mental analysis of situations in a fast-paced environment. Ability to operate a motor vehicle for transportation to off-site meetings and events.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY The City of Lakewood is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages, supports, and celebrates respect, empowerment, diversity, and inclusion for all. Benefits Summary REGULAR STATUS, GENERAL FULL‑TIME EMPLOYEES

Please refer to City policies and plan booklets for details.

SALARY INCREASES Upon successful completion of an annual performance evaluation and annually thereafter, an employee may receive a salary increase based on merit or performance. HOLIDAYS New Year's Day

Veterans' Day

Christmas day

Employees accrue one floating holiday on their anniversary date, which must be used within the following 12 month period. Holiday pay is pro-rated for employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week.

COMBINATION LEAVE Combination leave is a benefit granted to employees to continue normal compensation during approved absences. MEDICAL LEAVE Medical leave is a benefit granted to employees to continue normal compensation during absences caused by illness, injury, etc. Medical leave is accrued at 64 hours per year (pro-rated for employees working less than 40 hours per week). MILITARY LEAVE Employees who are members of any federal military reserve unit or the Washington National Guard will receive up to twenty‑one working days of paid leave during each year beginning October 1 and ending September 30, while engaged in active training duty or active duty. JURY DUTY LEAVE Employees will be paid their regular compensation while serving on jury duty provided they forfeit the juror's daily stipend to the City.

RETIREMENT PLAN Employees and the City make contributions to the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3 (with exception to the Assistant Police Chief and Police Chief Position which contribute to LEOFF). Under Social Security's Government Pension Offset, any Social Security spouse's or widow's or widower's benefits you may be entitled to will be reduced based on any pension you receive from the City's retirement plan.

SOCIAL SECURITY REPLACEMENT In lieu of Social Security, the City provides an alternative plan through the ICMA Retirement Corporation. The employee's investment choices range from conservative (low risk) to aggressive (high risk) opportunities. Employees are immediately 100% vested in the plan. Under Social Security's Windfall Elimination Provision, any Social Security retirement or disability benefits you may be entitled to will be reduced based on any pension you receive from this replacement plan.

This is an optional investment program offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation or Washington Department of Retirement Systems. VOLUNTARY FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT The Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125) is an optional tax savings program which is offered to employees annually. The effective date of health insurance is the first day of the month following hire.

MEDICAL INSURANCE Three medical plans are offered to employees and dependents through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC): the Regence High Deductible Health Plan (with a health savings account), the Regence HealthFirst Plan ($250 deductible), and the Kaiser Permanente Plan ($200 deductible). Employees may be eligible to opt out of medical insurance coverage to receive a $3,000 annualized contribution (pro‑rated for part‑time employees) to their deferred compensation account, flexible spending account (IRS Section 125), and/or pay.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, confidential resource available to employees, dependents and household members. The EAP provides professional counseling assistance in addressing a variety of concerns ranging from substance abuse to relationship issues. DENTAL INSURANCE Washington Dental Service (WDS) Plan E insurance is provided through AWC. A separate orthodontia plan provides a one time orthodontia benefit of $1,000 for eligible children.

The City pays the entire premium cost for full‑time employees and their dependents. Premiums for part‑time employees and their dependents are pro‑rated based on the employee's FTE status.

LIFE & LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE The City provides the following insurance coverage for employees through Standard Insurance (a copy of each plan certificate will be provided during orientation). The insurance is effective the first of the month following hire, unless an employee is hired on the first day of the month, in which case the coverage is effective immediately.

SURVIVOR INCOME LIFE INSURANCE A monthly survivor income benefit is paid to an employee's eligible spouse and children upon the employee's death. Prior to any reduction for Social Security survivor's benefits, a benefit amount equal to 30% of the employee's insured earnings is paid to the spouse or children, and 60% is paid if both spouse and children survive.

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE/ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT A benefit equal to the employee's annual salary rounded up to the next thousand to a maximum of $170,000.

LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD) Effective after 90 days of continuous disability. VOLUNTARY SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE Employees may elect to apply for $30,000 to $300,000 in supplemental term life insurance coverage. Additional Voluntary Insurance Plans Additional insurance plans are available to employees through AFLAC, such as accident/disability, cancer, STD, dental and hospital intensive care.

Describe your experience balancing litigation responsibilities with transactional and advisory work for a municipality or public agency. How do you prioritize competing demands while ensuring timely and effective legal support?

This position requires managing a fast‑paced litigation caseload, including administrative hearings and related proceedings. Please describe your experience handling multiple matters simultaneously, meeting court or hearing deadlines, and adapting to shifting priorities.

This role requires strong collaboration with administrative staff, department personnel, and legal colleagues. Please describe your approach to building positive working relationships, supporting staff development, and fostering a professional and cooperative work environment.

Are you licensed to practice law in Washington State?

A complete application requires the submission of both a Resume and a Cover Letter.