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Assistant City Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Assistant City Attorney I to Senior Assistant City Attorney II Section: Neighborhood Services Reporting Location: 900 BAGBY Workdays & Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM* *Subject to Change ...

Position Details Position Information Posting Number 2026540 Position Title Assistant City Attorney Position # 7875 FLSA Exempt Classification Type Professional Department Legal Services Job Type ...

Department: City Attorney Pay Grade: A22 FLSA Status: Exempt JOB SUMMARY The Assistant City Attorney (Prosecutor) will primarily prosecute criminal matters in the City's Municipal Court. The ...

Department: City Attorney Pay Grade: A22 FLSA Status: Exempt JOB SUMMARY The Assistant City Attorney (Prosecutor) will primarily prosecute criminal matters in the City's Municipal Court. The ...

Assistant City Attorney I

El Paso, TX · On-site

$86K - $119K/yr

This is a new advertisement for Assistant City Attorney I. You must reapply if you are still interested in the position. Please note: Applicants with foreign diplomas, transcripts, and degrees must ...

... City of Tyler. The attorney will also assist with Public Information Act requests, research open records cases, and draft requests for open records rulings to the Attorney General. Essential ...

Assistant City Attorney

Tyler, TX · On-site

$73K - $110K/yr

... City of Tyler. The attorney will also assist with Public Information Act requests, research open records cases, and draft requests for open records rulings to the Attorney General. Essential ...

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Assistant City Attorney information

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$55.5K

$115.7K

$187K

How much do assistant city attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant city attorney in the United States is $115,722.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,500.00 and $137,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Assistant City Attorneys?

Assistant City Attorneys are legal professionals who work for a city’s legal department, providing legal advice and representation to the city, its officials, and departments. Their responsibilities often include drafting and reviewing ordinances, representing the city in civil and criminal cases, and advising on municipal law matters. They help ensure that city operations comply with local, state, and federal laws, and may also prosecute violations of city codes. Assistant City Attorneys play a crucial role in supporting city governance and protecting the city's legal interests.

What are some typical challenges faced by an Assistant City Attorney in municipal legal work?

Assistant City Attorneys often handle a diverse caseload that can include drafting ordinances, advising city departments, and representing the city in litigation. A common challenge is balancing immediate legal issues—such as responding to urgent public records requests or last-minute council agenda items—with long-term projects like policy development. Additionally, they must navigate complex relationships among elected officials, city staff, and the public, requiring strong communication and diplomatic skills. Adapting quickly to evolving legal standards and staying informed about changes in municipal law is also essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Assistant City Attorney vs City Attorney?

AspectAssistant City AttorneyCity Attorney
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar licenseJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar license, often more experience
Work EnvironmentSupports city legal team, handles specific legal mattersLeads legal department, oversees all legal functions for the city
Employer & IndustryMunicipal government, public sectorMunicipal government, public sector
Common Search/ComparisonAssistant City Attorney vs City Attorney

The Assistant City Attorney typically supports the City Attorney by handling specific legal tasks and cases within the municipal government. The City Attorney serves as the head of the city's legal department, providing overall legal guidance and leadership. While both roles require similar legal credentials, the City Attorney usually has more experience and responsibilities, overseeing the entire legal operations of the city.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant City Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant City Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong knowledge of municipal law, litigation, and legal research. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as proficiency in case management systems, is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and ethical judgment are crucial soft skills for this position. These competencies ensure effective legal counsel, risk mitigation, and strong representation of the city’s interests in legal matters.
More about Assistant City Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Assistant City Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Assistant City Attorney job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Assistant City Attorney jobs? The top employers for Assistant City Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Assistant City Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant City Attorney jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Assistant City Attorney jobs? For Assistant City Attorney jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Assistant City Attorney I/II/Assistant City Prosecutor

City of Port Arthur Texas

Port Arthur, TX

$55.09 - $68.55/hr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

SALARY:               $47.6153 - $59.3312, Exempt (DOE&Q) (Entry)
                              $55.0895 - $68.5514, Exempt (DOE&Q) (Level II)
OPENING DATE: 03/07/2025
CLOSING DATE: Open until Filled
JOB SUMMARY:
DEFINITION
To provide a wide range of professional legal services to the City Council, City Department, and various boards and commissions; to prosecute cases in Municipal Court; to draft and review City ordinances and resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents; to provide legal advice to the Police Department and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the City Attorney.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Assistant City Attorney I: This is the entry level class in the Assistant City Attorney series. Incumbents in this class are assigned the more routine legal and prosecutorial work requiring a minimum of previous municipal legal experience. Positions assigned to the higher Assistant City Attorney II class which become vacant could reasonable be filled at the Assistant City Attorney I level.
Assistant City Attorney II: Positions in the class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant City Attorney I level, or when filled from the outside, require prior municipal Jaw experience, including litigation. Appointment to this class requires that the employee be performing substantially the full range of duties for the class and fulfill the qualification standards. Work in the class is distinguished from that of greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Positions allocated to this class exercise a high degree of responsibility for litigation and other external legal representation and for advice to police officials.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXCERCISED
Assistant City Attorney I
Receives general direction from the City Attorney.
 Assistant City Attorney II
Receives direction from the City Attorney.
Exercise direct and indirect supervision over clerical/administrative staff. May exercise lead supervision as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Perform legal research and prepare written and oral opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City Departments, and various boards and commissions.
Confer with and render assistance to department heads in establishing departmental policies by applying legal points and procedures; recommend changes in policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
Prepare, draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents and instruments, and offer opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration by an outside agent or agency.
Prosecutes all complaints for violations of Port Arthur’s municipal code, traffic laws and various Class C Misdemeanors in Municipal or appropriate Court.
Investigate claims and complaints against the City and take or recommend appropriate action.
Assist in or prepare cases for hearings, trials, and other judicial proceedings and represent the City in such proceedings.
Represent the City Attorney at various City Council and board and commission meetings, venues, etc., and in court as directed by the City Attorney.
Assist in, the supervision, training, and evaluation of clerical staff in the City Attorney's Office.
Responds to public inquiries about code matters and other legal issues.
Serve as Acting City Attorney as required.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capabilities to:
            �-� Exercise sound judgement and rational thinking under stressful circumstances.
             �-� Evaluate various options and alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable course
   of action.
�-�Prepare complex actions, policies and recommendations.
�-�Effectively supervise personnel.
�-�Operate effectively in an economically and culturally diverse environment.
Maintain physical condition, which will allow the capability to perform the following:
                                    �-�Running, walking, crawling for various periods of time as necessary.
                                    �-�Climbing stairs and ladders as necessary.
                                    �-�Moving loads of approximately 25-50 lbs. as necessary.
                                    �-�Ability to sit, stand, and move inside buildings as necessary to perform duties.
                                    �-�Ability to transfer self from building to building as necessary to perform duties.
Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception for:
                                    �-�Making observations
                                    �-�Reading and writing
                                    �-�Operating necessary and assigned equipment.
                                    �-�Communicating with others.
Perform related duties assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant City Attorney I
Knowledge of:
Legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law and procedures.
Methods of legal research.
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Ordinances, statutes and court decisions relating to municipal corporations. Organizations and operating procedures of a City Attorney's Office.
Ability to:
Serve as Prosecutor in Municipal Court. Analyze a wide variety of legal issues.
Conduct research on legal problems and prepare a wide variety of legal opinions. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Analyze or prepare a wide variety of legal documents. Prepare and present cases.
Perform legal work requiring the use of independent judgment. Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way would be:
Experience:
Three years of responsible professional experience in general      law.
Training:
        Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Licenses or Certificate:
        Membership in the State Bar of Texas.
        Possession of, or ability to obtain, license for U.S. District Court practice.
Assistant City Attorney II In addition to the qualifications for Assistant City Attorney I:
Knowledge of:
Tort law and liability insurance litigation.
Statutes and court decisions relating to search and seizure and other police activities. Statues and court decisions relating to civil rights and public labor law.
Ability to:
Represent the City in a wide variety of judicial and administrative proceedings.
Provide sound legal advice to police officers regarding procedures, evidence handling, ongoing investigations and related matters.
Experience and training guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way would be:
Experience:
Five years increasingly responsible professional experience in municipal or other Governmental law including trial experience.
Training:
Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate from accredited law school.  
License or Certificate
Membership in the State Bar of Texas.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a U.S. District Court license.
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR
Attn:  Hiring Manager
P.O. Box 1089
 Port Arthur, Texas 77641-1089
 (EEO/AA/V/F/RC/H)
The City of Port Arthur is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer