Job Details

Description

The City of Roanoke, Virginia is seeking a well-rounded, innovative, strategic and responsive professional to provide general legal counsel to a full-service municipality. The City Attorney is the legal counsel to the City Council, the City Manager and other city officials, the School Board, the Superintendent and other school officials including the Greater Roanoke Transit Company, a mass transit system wholly owned by the city. The City Attorney oversees a team of 8-9 to include 2 Deputy City Attorneys, 3-4 Assistant City Attorneys and 3 Administrative Assistants. The City Attorney's Office prepares and reviews all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents. As the City Attorney, major areas of responsibility include litigation, contracts, real estate, land use, environmental, economic development, taxation, collections, employment, civil rights and administrative law. Successful candidates should possess excellent communications skills and be able to effectively manage a legal office and deal with public officials along with the general public. Ten years progressively responsible experience and/or training in the practice of law; preferably municipal law and administrative experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Virginia local government experience preferred. Employment requires licensure by the Virginia State Bar. Salary competitive, DOQ, plus excellent benefits package. EOE.

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To apply online, please visit the City of Roanoke's job board at www.roanokeva.gov/jobs and submit an online application by 11:59 PM on Friday, November 14, 2025. Resumes may be attached; law school transcripts will be verified; only applicants selected for interviews will be requested to provide writing samples at time of interview. For additional questions, please contact Christopher Parker, Director of Human Resources.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

This is an exempt position.

Examples of Duties

SUMMARY

Performs professional work rendering legal services to the City and school board; serves as chief legal advisor, attorney, and counsel for the City and the school board of the City, as well as all officers, and departments in matters relating to their official duties. Responsibilities entail accountability based on measurable cost-effective results for the substance, efficiency, productivity and quality of activities performed within divisions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned

Manages, supervises and reviews the work of attorneys and legal support staff, as well as managing the office budget, support contracts, etc.

Provides legal services to a directorate and to major boards and commissions, personally advising the heads of such groups on legal matters.

Also provides legal counsel to other City and School staff as requested.

Attends City Council meetings.

Attends School Board meetings.

Attends meetings of boards and commissions of the City and renders on-the-spot legal advice.

Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, releases, franchises and other complicated legal documents on behalf of the City.

Prepares drafts of bills for introduction in the Virginia General Assembly.

Prosecutes suits, actions and proceedings for and on behalf of the City.

Processes and defend legal claims against the City.

Prepares cases for trial, interviewing witnesses, examining law and evidence.

Attend school board meetings and provide oversight to legal team on truancy cases.

Represents the City in complex trial and appellate litigation.

Researches, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions and briefs.

Analyzes legislation including proposed state and federal legislation affecting the City.

Reviews the legality and/or sufficiency of contracts, bonds, bids, leases, insurance and claims.

Serves the City's interests in various contract negotiations.

Conducts title searches, certifies titles and handles real estate closings.

Renders legal advice on complex matters on a daily basis to officers, departments and agencies of the City and Schools.

Performs other duties that may be required by ordinance, resolution, or City Council.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages a staff of 5-6 Attorneys and 3 Administrative Legal Assistants in the day-to-day operations of a multi-practice law office, including the determinations for the appropriate outsourcing of legal work. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Law degree; ten years progressively responsible experience and/or training in the practice of law; preferably municipal law and administrative experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Employment requires licensure by the Virginia State Bar and must have the ability to maintain membership as a condition of continued employment.

Supplemental Information

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints orally or in writing. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics. Ability to handle complex trial and appellate litigation and demonstrated skill in legal drafting.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Eligibility to practice law in the State of Virginia. Must possess a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.