Senior City Attorney at Salt Lake City in City Hall

Senior City Attorney

Location: City Hall

Position Title:

Senior City Attorney

Job Description:

Under the general administrative direction of the City Attorney, incumbent performs highly responsible and complex legal work in the City Attorney's Office. Works independently and applies professional judgment in providing legal advice and support, including the preparation and presentation of cases. Requires complex problem solving and skillful legal strategy in dealing with complex and politically charged issues. May instruct and direct subordinate professional and clerical employees. Work is performed in accordance with general policies and in close collaboration with the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorneys.

About the Position:

This attorney position is housed in the Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office and is anticipated to serve various City departments as legal counsel on matters relating to land use, planning, development, real estate, as well as other assigned matters. The City Attorney’s Office is comprised of approximately 20 civil attorneys, with the position of Senior City Attorney being situated under the direction of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney. Generally, the Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office serves as legal counsel to the City Council and City Administration, which includes the Mayor’s Office and various City Departments (for example, Community and Neighborhoods, Public Utilities, the Police Department, etc.).

This position requires a high degree of collaboration and cooperation as the position involves representing departments as a two-person attorney team. Related work requires evening meeting attendance 1-2 times per month generally between 5 – 8:30 pm.

Candidates should have experience implementing the Municipal Land Use Development and Management Act, experience in land use law and real estate law, and knowledge of the Impact Fees Act, laws impacting public entities, including the Open and Public Meetings, Act, Government Records Access and Management Act, Governmental Immunity Act, and others.

Position Salary Range: $126,655 to $219,195.00 annually depending on qualifications.

This position is eligible for full city benefits, including:

• Health insurance
• Dental, vision, and life insurance
• Paid vacation and personal leave
• Six weeks of paid parental leave from day 1 of employment
• Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)
• A robust Employee Assistance Plan
• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually
• Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services Learn more about our benefits here: https://www.slc.gov/hr/benefits-and-wellness/.

IMPORTANT: Early application submittal is highly encouraged. This position close on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (MST).

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and memoranda for study and consideration by the City Attorney and/or other city officials.
• Represent the City in civil administrative, state, and federal proceedings.
• Prepare and review legal opinions and advise City officials, department heads, boards, commissions, and employees on legal matters. Represents the City through the Mayor and City Council, as well as department heads and other employees.
• May be assigned to any legal work in the City Attorney’s Office. Responsible for highly complex legal work. May instruct and direct subordinate professional and clerical employees. Majority of assignments are usually specialized and involve specific assignments and responsibilities for advising a particular department or in a specialized area of legal expertise.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from a recognized college of law with a JD or LL.B degree and one of the following: (1) a minimum of six years of full-time paid employment in the practice of law (which may include working as a full-time, paid judicial clerk); or, (2) a minimum of five years full-time paid employment in the practice of law (which may include working as a full-time, paid judicial clerk) with at least three of those years working for a municipality; or, (3) a minimum of six years full-time paid employment working for a municipality or governmental entity advising on and/or implementing policy, ordinances, or legislation, with demonstrated use of the JD degree in the role(s).
• Must be a member in good standing of the Utah State Bar or have the ability to become a member within a reasonable amount of time, depending on the circumstances and as determined by the City Attorney.
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence, and proceedings; and to effectively present such material orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated skill in organizing, analyzing, and retaining familiarity with large numbers of complex court cases and/or transactional matters. Demonstrated ability to rapidly assimilate facts, respond impromptu, examine witnesses effectively, argue persuasively, all under hostile and stressful circumstances. Ability to effectively present such material orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to acquire and retain familiarity with sophisticated and rapidly changing principles of law and apply legal principles to complex factual situations.
• Knowledge of principles of civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the City Attorney’s Office, other City employees, and the public.
• Ability to develop legal trainings for other City employees through writing and presentation methods.

Preferred Qualification:

• Extensive knowledge of law affecting municipal corporations.
• Experience representing municipalities and/or public utilities.
• Significant experience with transactional real estate document preparation including easements, plats, and development agreements.
• Working Conditions:
• Comfortable working environments, handling light weights, intermittent sitting, standing, and walking.
• Frequent exposure to stressful situations as a result of human behavior, workload, and consequences of decisions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check in accordance with City policy and applicable law. Criminal offenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and do not automatically disqualify a candidate from City employment.

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

DEPARTMENT

Attorney's Office

Full Time/Part Time:

Full time

Scheduled Hours:

40