Assistant Corporation Counsel - Transaction & Economic Development

Full Job Description

LAW DEPARTMENT

ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL

TRANSACTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

We represent Detroit in all civil actions

Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body.

The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employees, in their official capacity.

The Department has dozens of attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel clients; defend all legal actions against the City; prosecute violations of State Law and/or City Ordinances on behalf of the people of the City of Detroit; and assist in drafting City ordinances and other legal instruments, including all transactional and contractual documents which would legally bind the city.

Department attorneys, under general supervision, perform difficult and specialized professional legal work in preparation for litigation of complex and/or major lawsuits for assigned departments whose functions and activities are such as to present specialized legal problems; and/or performs difficult and specialized transactional work necessary for the advising and counsel of clients.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (may perform other duties as assigned)

• Draft, review and negotiate contracts for goods and services, grants, pre-bid documents and other agreements for the provision of goods and serves for the City’s Executive and Legislative branches.
• Preparation and negotiation of agreements and other documentation for the acquisition, conveyance, and development of real property.
• Provide advice and counsel regarding management and maintenance of the City’s real estate portfolio.
• Advice on zoning, land use, environmental, regulatory, and administrative law matters
• Preparation of legal opinions and other legal analyses.
• Serve as counsel to various City boards and commissions.
• Perform special projects at the direction of superiors.

Qualifications

Qualifications (required):

• Juris Doctorate degree from an approved American Bar Institution
• Minimum of (2) two years of relevant experience preferred

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Special Requirements:

• License to practice law in the State of Michigan.
• Membership in the State Bar of Michigan

Equivalency:

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Additional Information

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0-15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points

LRD: 12/18/2024

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the techniques of legal research, particularly as applied to municipal corporation law.
• Knowledge of legal subjects and of State of Federal statutes as are applicable to municipal corporation law.
• Knowledge of municipal codes and ordinances.
• Skill in legal research.
• Skill in developing legal arguments and application of legal principles to difficult legal problems.
• Skill in legal writing and drafting.
• Skill in effective problem-solving techniques.
• Skill in organization and planning and managing multiple priorities.
• Skill in interpersonal communication.
• Ability to display independent judgment, maturity and be proactive in handling legal matters.
• Ability to display judicial temperament and poise.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class.

Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position.

The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.