Staff Attorney

Provides internal legal counsel and guidance to Town staff on matters involving all aspects of municipal law, including applicable federal and state laws; performs complex professional and legal work, including creating, reviewing, and evaluating contracts, agreements, ordinances, and other documents; advises on potential actions of the organization and Town, and completes other related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the Town Manager, in coordination with the Town staff, Town Attorney, or other outside counsel as needed.  

Essential Job Functions 

• Researches, reviews, modifies, prepares, and approves draft documents including contracts, agreements, MOU’s, letters, deeds, and other legal documents and instruments. 
• Researches and provides oral and written legal advice on a broad range of legal issues affecting the Town; recommends changes in policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements. 
• Studies, interprets, analyzes, and applies laws, case law, ordinances, and regulations in advising and preparing opinions and documents. 
• Reviews and researches legal questions; evaluates potential impact on Town operations; and communicates the same to relevant stakeholders. 
• Receives, organizes, tracks, and responds to requests from Town staff on legal matters of the organization and Town. 
• Manages all aspects of real estate research and acquisitions, including strategic and capital project acquisitions; monitors real estate offerings and transactions, negotiates purchases, prepares purchase contracts, obtains title opinions, and executes closings. 
• Reviews and recommends appropriate action on proposed donations and roadway dedications. 
• Assists with and provides support to staff regarding economic development activities. 
• Serves as the primary staff contact with the Town Attorney; and coordinates tasks with them. 
• Reviews new and proposed state and federal legislation, administrative regulations, and published case law affecting Town interests and advises staff of the potential impacts on Town operations. 
• Drafts proposed resolutions and ordinances for adoption by Council and provides opinions about the validity and enforceability of other proposed Town legislation. 
• Participates in the development and interpretation of departmental policies and procedures. 
• Engages in litigation-related matters including drafting, discovery, court attendance, mediation, investigation, hearings, trials, and similar activities in coordination with the Town Attorney and retained outside counsel, at the direction of the Town Manager.  
• Collaborates with the Executive Leadership members and the Town Attorney on items involving matters of significance for the Town; and advises on risk management and risk avoidance matters. 
• Prepares for and attends Board and Committee meetings and meetings with Town staff and representatives of outside agencies and parties; and makes presentations. 
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; reviews legal periodicals; and stays current on legal issues and case law. 
• Represents the Town in consultation with outside agencies, law firms, and individuals regarding Town business. 
• Promotes and demonstrates organizational culture, core values, and leadership philosophies consistent with, or complementary to, Town administration. 
• Serves as a member of the Town’s Strategic Leadership Team. 
• Adheres to policies and procedures established by the Town and organization. 
• Performs work during emergency situations as necessary, upon request, or as assigned by the Town Manager. 
• Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Town Manager. 

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited university. 
• Licensed to practice law and member in good standing with the State Bar of North Carolina. 
• Moderate experience in a municipal agency or private law firm preferred. 
• Moderate experience in contractual and real estate law desired. 
• Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to apply servant leadership principles and the organization’s core values in the performance of duties. 
• General knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to public agencies. 
• Thorough knowledge of modern legal principles, practices, and procedures of contract, labor, and administrative law. 
• General knowledge of organization, duties, powers, and authority of the Town. 
• Thorough knowledge of methods and techniques of legal research. 
• General knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal operations. 
• General knowledge of statutory and case law applicable to municipal organizations. 
• General knowledge of governmental organization and administration. 
• Ability to analyze legal problems and apply legal principles and practices. 
• Ability to prepare and present legal materials in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to conduct legal research. 
• Ability to draft contracts, agreements, and other documents as needed. 
• Ability to develop and articulate independent thought in a variety of settings, and to think critically, strategically, and futuristically. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, supervisors, employees, and the general public. 

Physical and Cognitive Demands Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). Work requires the ability to maintain a high level of cognitive function and concentration to perform detailed analysis and execute critical thinking. 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The Town is interested in hiring qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.