Associate-Attorney

Position Summary

The Associate is responsible for providing legal counsel and support to New Braunfels Utilities (NBU). NBU, as an agency of the City of New Braunfels, is subject to a wide-range of local, state, and federal rules and regulations. The Associate must be knowledgeable in municipal law, procurement law, public finance, real estate, construction law, regulatory compliance, and city ordinances. The Associate should possess business and life experience for frame of reference in handling a variety of problems with legal implications. The Associate is expected to give practical advice and recommendations to NBU management and staff.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains the highest level of professional ethics.
• Assists the Senior Associate Attorney in managing the legal department.
• Provides legal counsel and support to NBU, engages and assists in supervising the litigation process, and conducts legal research.
• Ensures that NBU operates within the appropriate legal governance framework, and takes responsibility for the identification and management of legal risks across all areas.
• Views issues and concerns through NBU's perspective and focuses on the right outcome for NBU at all times; determines core issues and identifies multiple possible solutions or resources needed to reach optimum solution for NBU; thinks first from principles rather than being solely guided by pre-established documents, procedures, processes, or historical practices.
• Understands and respects NBU's standards, policies, City ordinances, and local, state, and federal regulations; reviews and/or provides legal direction for NBU policies.
• Reads and reviews statutes, legal opinions, ordinances, and other documents to maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal legislation and jurisprudence affecting municipal utility operations, programs, and activities.
• Investigates claims based upon applicable laws in a timely manner.
• Assists with contract and business negotiations; drafts agreements that minimize risks and maximize NBU's legal rights.
• Assists in handling ethics inquiries, conducting ethics investigations, developing department materials, and conducting training.
• Assists with legislative matters, including tracking proposed federal and state bills, analyzing proposed legislation, and collaborating with NBU's legislative team.
• Assists with overseeing all aspects of litigation, including directing outside counsel, coordinating responses to discovery requests, and contributing to NBU's litigation tracking system.
• Provides proactive advice in connection with areas such as purchasing, finance, contracts, real estate, labor and employment issues, litigation, government regulations, and technology agreements and licensing; anticipates issues and estimates risks strategically.
• Coordinates and collaborates with outside counsel on legal matters requiring specialized legal expertise, ensuring that delivery, quality, and budgetary standards are maintained.
• Demonstrates legal and ethical stature, maturity, sound judgment, competence, and confidence to operate with credibility at the Board and management levels.
• Possesses strong organizational, administrative, and time-management skills and excellent follow-up to ensure adherence to deadlines and efficient task completion.
• Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Maintains objectivity while driving appropriate outcomes, manages multiple stakeholder requests, and promotes high business and legal standards.
• Develops and utilizes peer group networks and external legal partners, ensures that all such relationships are effective, cost efficient, and fosters constructive outcomes on behalf of NBU.
• Examines legal information to determine the advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits.
• Reviews agendas for public meetings to ensure compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act for public and executive session meetings.
• Attends board meetings to stay informed about NBU.
• Attends significant committee meetings, evening meetings, conferences, workshops, and other professional meetings which may require overnight travel.
• Uses safe work practices at all times and in all situations.
• Oversees the drafting and formalization of NBU resolutions.
• Answers questions and provides training regarding the Public Information Act.
• Prepares and submits requests for open records letter rulings and Attorney General opinions as needed.

SUPERVISORY

• Assists Senior Associate Attorney with supervising two legal assistants

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Positive energy, enthusiasm, flexibility, and confidence.
• Possesses a strong sense of teamwork; ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
• Prioritizes and organizes work effectively to meet deadlines and rapidly changing priorities.
• Understands municipal codes and applicable state laws and federal statutes; draws distinctions of municipal requirements and application in all situations.
• Exercises attention to detail and exhibits a strong work ethic.
• Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Possesses knowledge of legal references and limitations.
• Demonstrates proficiency with technology.
• Highly developed skills including issue identification, analysis, and resolution through supervision, coordination, and use of internal and external staff and counsel.
• Self-directed with ability to quickly assimilate role, responsibilities, and organization culture.
• Commitment and adherence to the mission of NBU.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain regular attendance; leave schedule should be managed so as not to interfere with ability to accomplish tasks, including special projects and assignments with deadlines or negatively affect direct reports' ability to do their jobs when applicable
• Adhere to NBU safety guidelines and practices at all times and in all situations
• Maintain a clean and safe work area, office, field site and vehicle as applicable
• Maintain strict confidentiality of business, employee, and customer information in written and oral communications and safeguard sensitive documents
• Develop and maintain effective customer service skills for communications with co-workers, customers, and the public in general
• Adhere to NBU policies and procedures
• Exemplifies NBU Core Values of Stewardship, Team, Integrity, Culture, and Safety
• Participate in and support initiatives to reach annual priorities, key performance measures, and levels of service

Formal Education and Work Experience Requirements

Degree/Diploma Obtained: Bachelors and Juris Doctor

Work Experience Time Frame: Five Years or More

Field of Study: Law

Other: Must submit a legal writing sample

Certification and Licensures Requirements

Juris Doctor from ABA approved law school

Other Minimum Qualifications

Excellent written and oral communication skills No adverse disciplinary history

Experience in municipal law or public utilities is helpful Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas Valid Texas Driver's License