Assistant Corporation Counsel

Introduction

Come join our energetic and diverse litigation practice at The Office of the Corporation Counsel for the City of New Haven! Opportunities abound when you take on a broad array of legal work in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies; and advise City departments, and local boards and commissions.

Practice areas are varied and may include civil rights, land use and property law, personal injury, employment law, tax, appellate litigation, public information law and more. Attendance at evening meetings may be required.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is an attorney position under the direction of The Office of the Corporation Counsel. This position involves providing legal advice and counsel to various City departments, Boards and Commissions relating to their official duties in all aspects of municipal law. The attorney is expected to exercise independent, professional judgement in the performance of work.

Assistant Corporation Counsel is accountable to the Corporation Counsel or Deputy Corporation Counsel, who will periodically observe, review and evaluate work performance.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Applies principles and procedures of civil law, municipal law, constitutional, land use, employment, and real property law to a wide variety of legal issues affecting the operation of a municipality.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to various City departments, Boards and Commissions relating to their official duties in all aspects of municipal law.
• Performs legal research as necessary.
• Prepares written opinions for various City departments, Boards and Commissions upon request for adoption by the Corporation Counsel.
• Negotiates, prepares, reviews and approves as to form Board and Commission Resolutions, Contracts, Real Estate Agreements and other legal documents and instruments authorized by City Charter or Code of Ordinances.
• Represents the City of New Haven, its officers and employees, and Boards and Commissions in civil claims and lawsuits before state and federal courts. Drafts all related pleadings, briefs, appeals and memoranda for filing with the appropriate forum.
• Represents the City of New Haven, its officers and employees, and Boards and Commissions in Administrative Hearings.
• Performs other related work as required.

NOTE: The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job and shall not be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited school of law;
• Membership in good standing to the bars of the State and Federal courts;
• Minimum of two years of experience practicing as an attorney.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of principles and procedures of civil law especially as they relate to municipal government; and the ability to apply this knowledge to varied legal issues.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research.
• Knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures, and the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of constitutional provisions, laws, regulations and ordinances affecting municipal operations.
• Knowledge of municipal government structures, and operations of Boards and Commissions, and their relationship to other public jurisdictions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and employees of the City, and the general public.
• Ability to analyze, assess and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in cases.
• Ability to manage deadlines and multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Skill in court presentations and other hearings.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Membership in good standing to the bars of the Connecticut State and Federal courts.
• Federal practice experience preferred.
• Must have experience in using Microsoft Office, software programs or equivalent.
• Applicant must attach resume and writing sample to submission.

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a General Fund, "Tested" position.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 1303-464, Council 4, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.

Bargaining agreements available to review HERE.

General Funded hires into this class (after July 1, 2008) are covered by Social Security and shall contribute 7.5% of their base salary into and shall participate in the defined contribution plan for Executive Management & Confidential Employees; effective July 1, 2022, the City''s contribution shall be equal to 5% of the employee''s base salary.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening in accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process, and in some cases, this information may be used to determine the eligibility list. A hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.

Conclusion

To apply for this opportunity:

• Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.

• You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.

• MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application!

• Review or modify your application for that position

• Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation

• Click "Send to City of New Haven"

• You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION"

• You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission

• If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov

Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.