City Attorney

About the Role

The City Attorney is the chief legal counsel for the City of Bothell and serves as the primary legal advisor to the City. Reporting to the City Manager, the City Attorney provides leadership, direction, and guidance on legal issues, and ensures the City receives high-quality legal representation. As Bothell transitions from outside counsel to in-house, the City Attorney will be a member of the executive leadership team, providing a citywide lens on complex policy matters and collaborating with staff across departments to advance City goals.

What You'll Do

• Lead the Legal Department: hire, direct, manage, and evaluate staff; assess resource needs.
• Provide policy direction and technical legal advice to the City Manager, City Council, staff, committees, and commissions; support City policies and decisions.
• Analyze legal trends, evaluate concerns, present alternatives, and develop solutions and legal strategies to meet City goals.
• Collaborate with departments across the City to resolve legal questions arising during development and implementation of projects and programs.
• Ensure effective handling of legal issues, ensure compliance with laws, and mediate sensitive or controversial matters.
• Maintain integrity and ethics, promote a culture of collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and communicate clearly to reduce ambiguity.
• Lead the transition from outside counsel to in-house representation, ensuring high-quality legal services citywide and alignment with Bothell’s values and long-term vision.

What We're Looking For

• Minimum seven years in the practice of municipal law; leadership experience managing attorneys and paraprofessional staff.
• Broad municipal government background with expertise in multiple areas; knowledge of contracts, criminal justice, employment, land use, and procurement law.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, rules, and ordinances related to municipal activities (e.g., municipal liability, data security, public meetings, public records, public financing).
• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited school; licensed to practice in Washington and in good standing with the WA State Bar or eligible to be admitted by motion.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills; active listener with the ability to partner with City leadership to achieve goals.

Nice to Have

• Experience as a City Attorney or Deputy/Assistant City Attorney, or private practice advising municipal governments.
• Experience guiding organizations through a transition to in-house legal services; policy and project management experience is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $178,876 – $227,423; benefits package described by the City.