City Attorney Jobs
City attorney jobs are open across municipal governments, counties, and public agencies, at every level from staff attorney to city attorney general, with specializations in municipal law, land use, and labor and employment. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Respond to inquiries from City staff, other agencies, and the public in general; determine nature of complaint, resolve complaint requiring interpretation of policies and procedures and research of background information, and/or refer as appropriate.
- Screen incoming mail for content and take appropriate action; review with supervisor as needed.
- Serve as project assistant to the department director; maintain the director or division head's calendar of activities; schedule appointments and resolve conflicts; coordinate all travel arrangements.
- Schedule, arrange, and coordinate department activities, meetings, conferences, and various events; coordinate activities with other City departments, the public and outside agencies.
- Plan, organize and prioritize administrative tasks relating to the assigned office; compose and edit a variety of documents including comprehensive reports, general correspondence, minutes of meetings and agendas; may take minutes at meetings or represent the expressed interests of the department director in their absence in meetings.
- Formulate administrative budget and review with the director or division head with justification in coordination with Budget Analyst; assist in the preparation of departmental budget and monitor expenditures; requisition supplies and materials as required.
- Operate a variety of office equipment including copiers, facsimile machines and computers; input and retrieve data and text; organize and maintain filing.
- Provide guidance and direction to clerical staff assigned to the various units of the department; may select, train, motivate, and evaluate departmental personnel, provide or coordinate staff training, work with employees to correct deficiencies, implement discipline procedures.
- Review, research and summarize a variety of fiscal, administrative and departmental information; process accounts receivables and payables.
- May administer payroll for the department; monitor leave balances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Please Note: Candidates selected for hire will be required to submit proof of education prior to a firm job offer being made. Therefore, to avoid delays in the hiring process, it is strongly recommended that you attach a copy of your official graduation certificate(s) from higher level institution(s) at the time of your application submission.
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible experience in office support work.
Training:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized secretarial or office management training.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Required:
None.
Commissioned by the State of North Carolina as a Notary Public.
From the time of closing, the selection process is anticipated to last approximately 4 - 6 weeks. The process will consist of a panel interview and skills testing including, but not limited to, Keyboarding, Intermediate Word and Excel, Outlook and Proofreading with the selected candidate being subject to a pre-employment drug screen, background check and driving history check.
The City of Fayetteville Employee Healthcare Benefit Plan provides comprehensive and affordable health and dental coverage while maintaining reasonable costs to employees. Coverage is available for all regular status employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. The premium is deducted on a pre-tax basis, with the City paying a portion of the premium. Qualifying employees are eligible for benefits on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of service.
Employer Paid Leave
Vacation Leave:
Regular employees begin accruing vacation leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on years of service
and the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work.
Sick Leave:
Regular employees begin accruing sick leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on the number of hours
scheduled to work; regular full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month. Sick leave hours accumulate without
limits and may be used toward creditable service upon retirement from the NC Local Governmental Retirement System.
Holidays:
The City of Fayetteville observes 12 paid holidays per calendar year. When Christmas day is on a Wednesday, an
additional holiday is provided making for 13 paid holidays.
Bereavement:
Regular employees are eligible for bereavement leave. The City will authorize 24 hours per calendar year to mourn or
attend a funeral or memorial service of a family member.
Retirement:
The City of Fayetteville assists employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the NC
Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular employees
scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member
of this system, employees are required to contribute 6% of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis.
Deferred Compensation Plans:
To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These
programs enable regular full-time, and part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week, an opportunity to save a
portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefits. These programs are the NC 401(k)
plan and NC 457 plan; both administered by Empower. The City currently contributes 4% of base salary to an eligible
employee’s NC 401(k) account.
Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits:
Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction:
- > Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) – Healthcare and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (pre-tax)
- > Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- > Optional Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Death Benefit:
The first year an employee contributes to the retirement system, the City provides a death benefit of $3,000 once the
employee is benefits eligible. After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided
by the NC Retirement System that is equal to the highest 12 months’ salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no
less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit.
Pay Periods / Deduction for Benefits / Direct Deposit:
City employees are paid bi-weekly (every other Friday). Benefit deductions are taken for 24 pay periods of the year. As an added convenience and safety measure, the City requires all new employees to sign up for direct deposit.
Employee Assistance Program:
The EAP is available at no cost to all employees and their household members. The EAP provides confidential guidance
on legal, financial and personal issues affecting your health, relationships and job.
A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Respond to inquiries from City staff, other agencies, and the public in general; determine nature of complaint, resolve complaint requiring interpretation of policies and procedures and research of background information, and/or refer as appropriate.
- Screen incoming mail for content and take appropriate action; review with supervisor as needed.
- Serve as project assistant to the department director; maintain the director or division head's calendar of activities; schedule appointments and resolve conflicts; coordinate all travel arrangements.
- Schedule, arrange, and coordinate department activities, meetings, conferences, and various events; coordinate activities with other City departments, the public and outside agencies.
- Plan, organize and prioritize administrative tasks relating to the assigned office; compose and edit a variety of documents including comprehensive reports, general correspondence, minutes of meetings and agendas; may take minutes at meetings or represent the expressed interests of the department director in their absence in meetings.
- Formulate administrative budget and review with the director or division head with justification in coordination with Budget Analyst; assist in the preparation of departmental budget and monitor expenditures; requisition supplies and materials as required.
- Operate a variety of office equipment including copiers, facsimile machines and computers; input and retrieve data and text; organize and maintain filing.
- Provide guidance and direction to clerical staff assigned to the various units of the department; may select, train, motivate, and evaluate departmental personnel, provide or coordinate staff training, work with employees to correct deficiencies, implement discipline procedures.
- Review, research and summarize a variety of fiscal, administrative and departmental information; process accounts receivables and payables.
- May administer payroll for the department; monitor leave balances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Please Note: Candidates selected for hire will be required to submit proof of education prior to a firm job offer being made. Therefore, to avoid delays in the hiring process, it is strongly recommended that you attach a copy of your official graduation certificate(s) from higher level institution(s) at the time of your application submission.
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible experience in office support work.
Training:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized secretarial or office management training.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Required:
None.
Commissioned by the State of North Carolina as a Notary Public.
From the time of closing, the selection process is anticipated to last approximately 4 - 6 weeks. The process will consist of a panel interview and skills testing including, but not limited to, Keyboarding, Intermediate Word and Excel, Outlook and Proofreading with the selected candidate being subject to a pre-employment drug screen, background check and driving history check.
The City of Fayetteville Employee Healthcare Benefit Plan provides comprehensive and affordable health and dental coverage while maintaining reasonable costs to employees. Coverage is available for all regular status employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. The premium is deducted on a pre-tax basis, with the City paying a portion of the premium. Qualifying employees are eligible for benefits on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of service.
Employer Paid Leave
Vacation Leave:
Regular employees begin accruing vacation leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on years of service
and the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work.
Sick Leave:
Regular employees begin accruing sick leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on the number of hours
scheduled to work; regular full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month. Sick leave hours accumulate without
limits and may be used toward creditable service upon retirement from the NC Local Governmental Retirement System.
Holidays:
The City of Fayetteville observes 12 paid holidays per calendar year. When Christmas day is on a Wednesday, an
additional holiday is provided making for 13 paid holidays.
Bereavement:
Regular employees are eligible for bereavement leave. The City will authorize 24 hours per calendar year to mourn or
attend a funeral or memorial service of a family member.
Retirement:
The City of Fayetteville assists employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the NC
Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular employees
scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member
of this system, employees are required to contribute 6% of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis.
Deferred Compensation Plans:
To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These
programs enable regular full-time, and part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week, an opportunity to save a
portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefits. These programs are the NC 401(k)
plan and NC 457 plan; both administered by Empower. The City currently contributes 4% of base salary to an eligible
employee’s NC 401(k) account.
Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits:
Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction:
- > Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) – Healthcare and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (pre-tax)
- > Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- > Optional Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Death Benefit:
The first year an employee contributes to the retirement system, the City provides a death benefit of $3,000 once the
employee is benefits eligible. After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided
by the NC Retirement System that is equal to the highest 12 months’ salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no
less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit.
Pay Periods / Deduction for Benefits / Direct Deposit:
City employees are paid bi-weekly (every other Friday). Benefit deductions are taken for 24 pay periods of the year. As an added convenience and safety measure, the City requires all new employees to sign up for direct deposit.
Employee Assistance Program:
The EAP is available at no cost to all employees and their household members. The EAP provides confidential guidance
on legal, financial and personal issues affecting your health, relationships and job.
City Attorney Jobs by Experience Level
See All 104+ City Attorney Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find City Attorney JobsCity Attorney Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector
- Law & Legal Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in city attorney jobs.
- Active state bar membership in the jurisdiction of employment
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Experience advising government agencies or municipal clients
- Knowledge of municipal law, zoning, and land use regulations
- Litigation experience in state or federal court proceedings
- Familiarity with public records, open meetings, and administrative law
Tips for Your City Attorney Job Search
Tailor your resume to municipal practice
City attorney roles prioritize public-sector legal experience over private-firm credentials. Highlight any work advising government bodies, drafting ordinances, or representing municipalities in litigation, even if it came from a prior in-house or public defender role.
Get bar admission in target states first
Most city attorney postings require active bar admission in the state where the municipality sits, not just any state. Confirm your standing before applying, and note any pending reciprocity or waiver applications directly in your cover letter.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists city attorney openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Demonstrate your ordinance drafting chops
Hiring panels for city attorney positions frequently test drafting ability. Include two or three anonymized writing samples in your application: a code amendment, a council resolution, or a formal legal opinion addressed to a city department or board.
Prepare for panel interviews with elected officials
City attorney interviews often include council members or commissioners who are not lawyers. Practice explaining complex legal risks in plain language, and anticipate questions about how you would handle public records requests or open-meetings compliance.
Negotiate scope of authority, not just compensation
Before accepting an offer, clarify whether the city attorney reports to the mayor, the council, or both, and what outside counsel approval looks like. Ambiguous reporting lines and budget authority are common friction points that are far easier to address before you start.
City Attorney Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most city attorneys?
City and County of San Francisco, Stinson Leonard Street, and Los Angeles City Attorney are hiring the most city attorneys right now, with openings concentrated in California, Texas, and Missouri, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is highest in fast-growing municipalities managing infrastructure expansion and land use disputes.
How many city attorney jobs are remote?
About 77% of city attorney openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the in-person nature of most public-sector legal roles. Sub-specialties such as policy drafting, contract review, and advisory work are most likely to offer partial remote flexibility, while litigation and council attendance remain predominantly on-site.
How do you become a city attorney?
Earn a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, then pass the bar exam in the state where you plan to work. Build experience in public-sector law, municipal litigation, or government contracting, ideally through a staff attorney or assistant city attorney role. Demonstrating competence in ordinance drafting and interagency negotiation strengthens candidacy for a top city attorney position.
Can you get hired as a city attorney with little experience?
Entry-level candidates typically break into municipal law as assistant or deputy city attorneys rather than going directly into the city attorney role. Clerkships with local government courts, internships with a city law office, or prior work in administrative law all help. Smaller municipalities often hire less-experienced attorneys who demonstrate strong research and drafting skills and a genuine interest in public service.
What does the city attorney interview process look like?
Most city attorney searches involve an initial screening by the human resources or city manager's office, followed by a panel interview that includes elected officials or department heads. Finalists are often asked to complete a written exercise, such as analyzing a legal issue facing the city or drafting a mock opinion. Background checks and reference calls with prior government supervisors are standard before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to city attorney jobs?
You can find and apply to city attorney jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from municipalities and public agencies across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and practice area, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 104+ City Attorney Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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