The City of Hampton, VA is seeking a legal powerhouse to serve as the trusted legal advisor for the City and its diverse array of departments, committees, and authorities.
THE CITY OF HAMPTON
Located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton is graced with miles of shoreline and breathtaking water views. The City is in the heart of the Hampton Roads region and the geographical center of the U.S. East Coast.
Hampton has the charm of a small town with metropolitan appeal. The City has been named one of the most technology-advanced cities in the nation by the Center for Digital Government and one of the top 20 hot spots for young professionals to live and work in by Next Generation Consulting. Hampton has a vibrant arts community, distinctive festivals, signature events and cultural attractions. Hampton's impressive school division is a regional leader in National Board-Certified teachers, and the school division’s parent approval rating is nearly 10% above the national average.
Hampton has been recognized by Money magazine as one of the best places to live and is home to Hampton University. The Historically Black University is the 2023 Gold Winner in the “Best Private University” category by Coastal Virginia Magazine.
As a full-service City, Hampton provides a broad range of municipal services to its nearly 140,000 residents, including public safety, education, public works, refuse-collection, recreation, building inspection, public health, social services, planning, and community development. The governing body of the City is an elected City Council composed of a mayor and six council members, who are elected to four-year terms in general elections held every two years.
THE CITY ATTORNEY
The City Attorney’s Office protects city interests by providing quality legal advice and counsel to the City Council, the City Manager, City departments and various City boards, commissions and affiliate entities. The City Council appoints the City Attorney who acts as the Chief Legal Officer of the government and serves as the chief legal adviser and attorney for the City Manager, Assistant City Managers, Department Heads, City Council, and other key stakeholders. The City Attorney is designated as essential personnel during emergencies, providing crucial support to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Specifically, the City Attorney:
- Provides legal guidance and representation to committees, boards, and authorities, including the Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission, Review of Real Estate Assessment Board, Hampton Federal Area Development Authority (FADA), the Treasurer, and Commissioner of the Revenue.
- Fosters a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability within the City Attorney's Office and across the organization.
- Guides and inspires a team of 15 dedicated full-time employees while steering the strategic allocation of a $1.5 million budget.
Specific examples of the City Attorney’s work include:
- Leading and mentoring a talented team of legal professionals, technical and clerical personnel and overseeing their delivery of expert counsel, guidance and customer service to the City Manager's office, City Council, and subordinate entities, including commissions, departments, boards, and authorities.
- Assigning tasks, reviewing progress, and ensuring the quality and timeliness of all legal work.
- Spearheading personnel management, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions, to foster a high-performing team.
- Proactively engaging with the City Council agenda, actively participating in work sessions and public meetings to offer legal insights on various matters such as property tax, assessments, public safety, governance, liability, and economic development initiatives.
- Ensuring thorough legal analysis is conducted for each matter, providing accurate information to decision-makers.
- Validating the legal integrity of resolutions, ordinances, and other documents prior to presentation to City Council, thereby mitigating legal risks.
- Advocating for the City's interests by representing it in a diverse range of legal proceedings across Circuit, District, Virginia Supreme, and Federal Courts, as needed.
- Conducting comprehensive research, gathering evidence, and ensuring procedural readiness for court appearances. Additionally, guiding and supporting fellow attorneys in navigating complex cases, conducting pre-court reviews as necessary.
- Collaborating closely with the City Manager and key stakeholders to address legal challenges efficiently and effectively, resolving issues at the lowest organizational level whenever possible.
- Overseeing external litigation matters handled by outside legal counsel, ensuring alignment with the City's strategic initiatives and legal standards.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
The qualified applicant for the City Attorney position with the City of Hampton will be a graduate of an American Bar Association approved law school and an active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar. The qualified applicant will also have six to nine years of progressive managerial experience in practicing law, with at least five years in a supervisory capacity. Prior experience in municipal law is preferred.
Highly-qualified applicants will possess the following knowledge, skills, and commitments:
- Thorough knowledge of municipal law, as well as a comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal laws and court decisions impacting municipalities.
- Proficiency in conducting legal research, preparing clear and concise legal documents and briefs, and adeptness in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex legal agreements, contracts, and settlements.
- Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and policies accurately and make decisions accordingly.
- Demonstrated capability to plan and supervise the work of other attorneys effectively.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and mediation skills.
- Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks efficiently.
- Commitment to embracing diversity and fostering and maintaining productive working relationships with City officials, community leaders, professional groups, as well as local and state entities.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The selected candidate must:
- Establish residency within the city limits of Hampton within twelve (12) months of assuming the position and maintain this residency for the duration of time in the position.
- Possess a valid driver’s license and have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton’s criteria.
- Successfully pass a background check prior to any offer of employment or promotion.
TO APPLY
The City of Hampton is partnering with PoliHire to recruit the next City Attorney. If you are interested in this opportunity, please either apply below, or submit a cover letter and resume to hampton_cityattorney@polihire.com. Please include only your name (Last, First) in the subject line when submitting these materials.