City Attorney - Mackenzie Eason & Associates
Waco, TX
About the Job
The City of Waco has retained Mackenzie Eason & Associates to help recruit a City Attorney following the recent departure of the former City Attorney. The City of Waco seeks an experienced and dynamic legal professional to serve as the City Attorney and Chief Legal Advisor. This role is pivotal in providing comprehensive legal services to the Waco City Council, City Boards and Commissions, City Management, and employees. The City Attorney will lead a legal department of 10 staff members, ensuring that all legal matters are handled professionally and efficiently.
The candidate will act as chief legal advisor, lead the City’s legal department, advise the City Manager’s Office and the City Council on all legal matters and risks, and provide legal representation, advice, and services to colleagues throughout the organization. This position is one of the four positions appointed by the Waco City Council and serves a four-year term under the City Charter rules.
At the City of Waco, we are committed to a lifetime of learning and growth as part of our goal to provide the highest quality service to our residents and visitors. As you can see from the tenure of many of our leaders, Waco is a place where management professionals come to build a career with continued opportunities for professional growth. Our vision is to make Waco a home where everyone belongs and thrives while moving forward together. Each member of this
organization has a vital role in helping us work.
City Manager- Bradley Ford
The Opportunity
The City of Waco offers an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned legal professional to step into the role of City Attorney and Chief Legal Advisor. This position is not just about managing legal affairs; it's about being a strategic partner in shaping the future of a rapidly growing city. As Waco continues to experience significant economic development, the City Attorney will play a crucial role in guiding the City Council and City Manager's team through complex legal landscapes, ensuring that decisions are informed, risks are assessed, and opportunities are maximized.
The City Attorney we seek brings a forward-thinking philosophy to the table—one that emphasizes making well-considered recommendations while transparently outlining the options and associated risks for each scenario. This approach is vital in a dynamic environment where the City Council must make decisions that balance innovation with prudence. Your ability to provide clear, actionable legal guidance will empower city leaders to move confidently toward their goals, knowing they have a trusted advisor who has thoroughly evaluated the legal implications of their actions.
As an integral member of the City Manager's team and a key advisor to the City Council, you will be at the forefront of initiatives that drive Waco's economic growth. Your expertise will support a humming economic development team, ensuring that the city's ventures are legally sound and strategically advantageous. This collaborative role requires not only legal acumen but also the ability to build strong relationships across various departments and with external stakeholders.
Leading a dedicated legal department of 10 professionals, you will oversee a team that includes a Deputy City Attorney, a Senior Assistant City Attorney, five Assistant City Attorneys, a Paralegal, and two Legal Secretaries. The department operates with attorneys assigned to specific city departments, providing comprehensive legal services tailored to each area's needs—except for employment law matters, which are centralized under one attorney. Additionally, certain attorneys specialize in open records requests, municipal court prosecution, and litigation support, ensuring focused expertise in these critical areas. The City Attorney will also oversee and manage outside counsel hired to support the City Attorneys Office, Council, or the City.
What sets this opportunity apart are the unique services provided by the legal department. Unlike many municipal legal teams, Waco's City Attorney's Office extends its expertise to the Cameron Park Zoo—a city-run establishment—and the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, a function typically managed at the county level. This breadth of responsibility offers a diverse and enriching professional experience, allowing you to engage with a wide array of legal issues beyond the conventional scope of municipal law.
In joining the City of Waco, you become part of a community that values innovation, collaboration, and proactive leadership. The role of City Attorney is more than a job; it's a chance to make a lasting impact on a city poised for continued success. If you are a legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, appreciates the importance of strategic foresight, and is eager to contribute to a vibrant community, we invite you to consider this remarkable opportunity.
Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a seasoned attorney who embodies a range of traits and experiences essential for success in this role. Adaptable and nimble, they quickly adjust to the fast-paced environment of Waco, where initiatives evolve rapidly from concept to implementation. With an innovative mindset, they bring fresh perspectives and creative solutions to support the city's dynamic growth and development.
As a wise counsel, the ideal candidate provides thoughtful and strategic legal advice to the City, enabling informed decision-making while safeguarding the city's interests. They are skilled at identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring legal compliance, and effectively "covering all bases" for the city; however, they think strategically and are creative in being able to get to a “yes” mindset. Demonstrating a strong leadership presence, they lead by example, supporting and guiding the legal team while carrying out their responsibilities with professionalism.
Cultural fit is crucial; the ideal candidate aligns with the values and culture of the City Council and City Manager's team, fostering positive relationships. They possess transactional expertise, experienced in handling transactions that support a vibrant economic development team. Personable and approachable, they are likable and relatable, able to build rapport with a wide range of individuals and be a welcome presence in any setting.
Possessing a good sense of humor, they enhance team dynamics and stakeholder interactions. As a clear communicator, they explain legal risks and options in plain language, ensuring understanding across all levels. With a strategic viewpoint, they look beyond immediate issues to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, providing strategic legal guidance.
The selected candidate will have a deep understanding of city operations, state and federal laws affecting Texas municipalities, legal precedents, court decisions impacting municipal government, and city protocols for prosecution, negotiation, and litigation. They will also be skilled in legal research and evidence gathering. A firm grasp of the duties and limitations of a City Attorney and principles of public sector administrative management is crucial, as are strong analytical skills and the ability to appropriately interpret laws and regulations in developing effective legal strategies.
We realize your time is valuable, so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:
Education and Experience
The City of Waco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing fair and equal treatment of all applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
The candidate will act as chief legal advisor, lead the City’s legal department, advise the City Manager’s Office and the City Council on all legal matters and risks, and provide legal representation, advice, and services to colleagues throughout the organization. This position is one of the four positions appointed by the Waco City Council and serves a four-year term under the City Charter rules.
At the City of Waco, we are committed to a lifetime of learning and growth as part of our goal to provide the highest quality service to our residents and visitors. As you can see from the tenure of many of our leaders, Waco is a place where management professionals come to build a career with continued opportunities for professional growth. Our vision is to make Waco a home where everyone belongs and thrives while moving forward together. Each member of this
organization has a vital role in helping us work.
City Manager- Bradley Ford
The Opportunity
The City of Waco offers an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned legal professional to step into the role of City Attorney and Chief Legal Advisor. This position is not just about managing legal affairs; it's about being a strategic partner in shaping the future of a rapidly growing city. As Waco continues to experience significant economic development, the City Attorney will play a crucial role in guiding the City Council and City Manager's team through complex legal landscapes, ensuring that decisions are informed, risks are assessed, and opportunities are maximized.
The City Attorney we seek brings a forward-thinking philosophy to the table—one that emphasizes making well-considered recommendations while transparently outlining the options and associated risks for each scenario. This approach is vital in a dynamic environment where the City Council must make decisions that balance innovation with prudence. Your ability to provide clear, actionable legal guidance will empower city leaders to move confidently toward their goals, knowing they have a trusted advisor who has thoroughly evaluated the legal implications of their actions.
As an integral member of the City Manager's team and a key advisor to the City Council, you will be at the forefront of initiatives that drive Waco's economic growth. Your expertise will support a humming economic development team, ensuring that the city's ventures are legally sound and strategically advantageous. This collaborative role requires not only legal acumen but also the ability to build strong relationships across various departments and with external stakeholders.
Leading a dedicated legal department of 10 professionals, you will oversee a team that includes a Deputy City Attorney, a Senior Assistant City Attorney, five Assistant City Attorneys, a Paralegal, and two Legal Secretaries. The department operates with attorneys assigned to specific city departments, providing comprehensive legal services tailored to each area's needs—except for employment law matters, which are centralized under one attorney. Additionally, certain attorneys specialize in open records requests, municipal court prosecution, and litigation support, ensuring focused expertise in these critical areas. The City Attorney will also oversee and manage outside counsel hired to support the City Attorneys Office, Council, or the City.
What sets this opportunity apart are the unique services provided by the legal department. Unlike many municipal legal teams, Waco's City Attorney's Office extends its expertise to the Cameron Park Zoo—a city-run establishment—and the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, a function typically managed at the county level. This breadth of responsibility offers a diverse and enriching professional experience, allowing you to engage with a wide array of legal issues beyond the conventional scope of municipal law.
In joining the City of Waco, you become part of a community that values innovation, collaboration, and proactive leadership. The role of City Attorney is more than a job; it's a chance to make a lasting impact on a city poised for continued success. If you are a legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, appreciates the importance of strategic foresight, and is eager to contribute to a vibrant community, we invite you to consider this remarkable opportunity.
Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Lead the Legal Department: Oversee a team comprising a Deputy City Attorney, Senior Assistant City Attorney, five Assistant City Attorneys, a Paralegal, and two Legal Secretaries.
- Strategic Planning: Plan, direct, review, and evaluate the staff and functions of the City Attorney’s Office (CAO), including civil and criminal legal work, contracts, risk management, and legal documentation.
- Departmental Assignments: Assign attorneys to specific city departments, ensuring comprehensive legal services are provided, except for employment law issues handled by a designated attorney.
- Legal Advocacy: Represent or supervise representation of the City in all legal matters, including civil and criminal cases before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, state and federal agencies, and during mediations and arbitrations.
- Municipal Prosecution: Act as a prosecutor in Municipal Court for violations of City ordinances and Class C misdemeanors.
- Litigation Support: Provide or oversee litigation support for the City in various legal proceedings.
- Drafting and Reviewing Documents: Review and draft resolutions, ordinances, contracts, agreements, deeds, and other legal documents involving the City.
- Risk Management: Advise on risk management strategies and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Open Records and Employment Law: Oversee responses to open records requests and provide guidance on employment law issues through the designated attorney.
- Council and Management Support: Provide timely legal assistance and advice to the City Council, Boards, Commissions, City Management, and employees.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Plain Language Communication: Clearly communicate legal risks and recommendations in understandable terms.
- Legal Expertise: Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to municipal government.
- Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze complex legal issues and provide sound legal advice.
- Communication Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present legal concepts clearly.
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate legal issues and implications, providing forward-thinking solutions.
- Innovative Approach: Willingness to bring innovative ideas to address legal challenges.
- Recognizing, assessing, and analyzing potential liability and complex legal issues and keeping the City Council, City management and staff informed.
- Formulating strategies and effective solutions for legal issues, minimizing risk, and safeguarding the City’s operations.
- Managing civil and criminal proceedings as well as the work of department employees and contracted legal professionals.
- Developing, rendering, and reviewing verbal and written opinions, legal positions, and ordinances for the City.
- Negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts.
- Developing and evaluating budget requests, monitoring expenditures, adjusting as necessary, and reporting budget information.
- Managing department staff, prioritizing projects, evaluating performance and resolving workload and technical issues while ensuring that quality standards are met, and appropriate services are provided to support the work of all City departments.
- Performing legal research and monitoring changes in state and federal regulations, standards, and legislation governing municipalities.
- Responding after hours, including holidays and weekends, as needed, during departmental or citywide emergencies.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a seasoned attorney who embodies a range of traits and experiences essential for success in this role. Adaptable and nimble, they quickly adjust to the fast-paced environment of Waco, where initiatives evolve rapidly from concept to implementation. With an innovative mindset, they bring fresh perspectives and creative solutions to support the city's dynamic growth and development.
As a wise counsel, the ideal candidate provides thoughtful and strategic legal advice to the City, enabling informed decision-making while safeguarding the city's interests. They are skilled at identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring legal compliance, and effectively "covering all bases" for the city; however, they think strategically and are creative in being able to get to a “yes” mindset. Demonstrating a strong leadership presence, they lead by example, supporting and guiding the legal team while carrying out their responsibilities with professionalism.
Cultural fit is crucial; the ideal candidate aligns with the values and culture of the City Council and City Manager's team, fostering positive relationships. They possess transactional expertise, experienced in handling transactions that support a vibrant economic development team. Personable and approachable, they are likable and relatable, able to build rapport with a wide range of individuals and be a welcome presence in any setting.
Possessing a good sense of humor, they enhance team dynamics and stakeholder interactions. As a clear communicator, they explain legal risks and options in plain language, ensuring understanding across all levels. With a strategic viewpoint, they look beyond immediate issues to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, providing strategic legal guidance.
The selected candidate will have a deep understanding of city operations, state and federal laws affecting Texas municipalities, legal precedents, court decisions impacting municipal government, and city protocols for prosecution, negotiation, and litigation. They will also be skilled in legal research and evidence gathering. A firm grasp of the duties and limitations of a City Attorney and principles of public sector administrative management is crucial, as are strong analytical skills and the ability to appropriately interpret laws and regulations in developing effective legal strategies.
We realize your time is valuable, so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:
Education and Experience
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree: This position requires a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school
- Bar Admission: Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and in good standing.
- Experience: must have practiced law in Texas for at least five (5) years immediately preceding their appointment, and five (5) years of experience in a public sector or municipal government legal practice, including courtroom experience is preferred.
- Licensure: must become licensed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas upon hire.
- Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a legal team.
- Residency: upon appointment, the selected candidate must be a resident of the City of Waco.
The City of Waco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing fair and equal treatment of all applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
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