City Attorney

City Attorney The successful candidate will be a collaborative, creative problem solver who embraces the One Leawood philosophy. The office provides legal advice and guidance to the Governing Body, the City Administrator, City departments, committees, boards, and commissions. The Legal Department also drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents; assists with legislative matters; issues advisory opinions; and processes claims involving the City, its officers, and employees. The Ideal Candidate Will: Lead with Character - Lead with integrity, humility, and professionalism. - Build trust through transparency, communication, and accountability. - Champion the City's values and contribute to a "One Leawood" culture. Develop People - Foster a positive, supportive, and high-performing workplace culture. - Develop future leaders and invest in employee growth. - Support succession planning and employee engagement initiatives. Build Partnerships - Collaborate effectively and pragmatically across departments, elected officials, and with regional partners. - Communicate effectively and build consensus among diverse groups. Lead Strategically - Deliver exceptional service. - Balance operational excellence with long-term strategic planning. - Embrace innovation in data, technology, and continuous improvement principles to enhance service delivery. Success requires more than identifying legal risk. The successful candidate must understand the City's objectives, identify workable options and solutions, clearly communicate legal considerations, and help decision-makers make appropriate decisions. This is an opportunity to become a trusted legal advisor and a member of the City's executive leadership team while helping one of Kansas' premier communities navigate the increasingly complex legal landscape of local government. The successful candidate will apply sophisticated analysis of Kansas municipal law to advise policymakers and staff to achieve pragmatic solutions to complex issues confronted by municipalities. Success in the First Year The next City Attorney will be expected to: - Develop relationships with the Governing Body, City Administrator, executive leadership, department directors, and Legal Department employees. - Build a comprehensive understanding of active legal matters, contracts, development issues, litigation, claims, organizational priorities, and emerging risks. - Evaluate workload, workflows, technology, outside counsel relationships, knowledge management, and opportunities for greater consistency and efficiency. - Create mechanisms for identifying legislative, regulatory, technological, and legal developments before they directly affect municipal operations. - Support professional development, knowledge sharing, succession planning, and a strong culture within the Legal Department. - Continue fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and engagement. Qualifications & Experience Required: Candidates must hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, be a practicing attorney licensed in the State of Kansas, and have at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience. Candidates must reside in Johnson County, Kansas, within one year of hire and possess a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. Preferred: Twelve (12) or more years of progressively responsible legal experience, including substantial experience in local government, public-sector law, municipal representation, or legal matters directly applicable to a full-service municipal organization. Highly desirable experience includes: - Advising elected or appointed governing bodies; - Municipal or local government law; - Contracts and transactional work; - Land use, planning, zoning, or development; - Employment and personnel matters; - Public records and open meetings; - Litigation and risk management; - Supervising attorneys or professional staff; - Working directly with executive leadership; and - Managing outside counsel. - Previous experience as a City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, County Counselor, public-sector general counsel, or municipal law practitioner. About the Department Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the City Attorney leads the Legal Department and Municipal Court operations, personnel development, and long-range planning. The City Attorney provides leadership and oversight of the City's legal staff, comprised of a Deputy City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney / Prosecutor. The position also oversees the City's Municipal Court operations, including a Court Supervisor and five Court Clerks who handle daily municipal court operations and trial proceedings for the City. The City Attorney serves as a key member of the City's leadership team and provides strategic direction for all legal aspects of City services. The City of Leawood recently received extremely high marks on the resident satisfaction survey conducted by ETC Institute. Leawood is currently implementing its [redacted] Strategic Plan, the City's first comprehensive organizational strategic plan. Adopted in June 2025, the resident-informed plan establishes five strategic pillars: - FINANCES & BUDGETING - QUALITY OF LIFE - INFRASTRUCTURE - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION - COMMUNITY & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The plan provides a framework for priorities, decision-making, investment, and organizational accountability through 2029. At the same time, Leawood is undertaking an update of its Comprehensive Plan followed by an update and recodification of its Municipal Code and Development Ordinance, establishing another important opportunity for pragmatic and forward-looking municipal legal counsel. WHY THIS MATTERS FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY The issues facing Leawood increasingly cross traditional legal boundaries: development, infrastructure, technology, employment, governance, contracts, public engagement, land use, legislative change, and risk management. The next City Attorney will help ensure the organization can navigate those issues pragmatically while continuing to move forward. Community Background The City of Leawood, a safe and beautiful community of about 34,000 residents, is situated just 10 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. It is known for its nationally ranked schools, thriving businesses, and incomparable public art collection. One of the most desirable suburbs in the region - and recently named a Top 20 Best Small City in America - Leawood stretches along the edge of the Kansas-Missouri state line in Johnson County, bordered by Overland Park, Prairie Village, and Kansas City, Missouri. Its compact size of roughly 15 square miles packs a lot of punch: walkable, mixed-use communities, more than 50 restaurants, and brand-name or boutique shopping to please every taste. An easily accessible highway system links residents, workers, and visitors to every corner of the larger metro area, which is home to some 2.2 million people. Native Americans were the first to call the area home, and early records document an expedition led by Daniel Boone through the region in the early 1700s, alongside French and American traders. An adventurer in his own right, retired Oklahoma police officer Oscar G. Lee arrived in the area in 1922 and purchased land that would become the foundation of present-day Leawood. Additional growth followed, and the area was incorporated in 1948. Since those early days, Leawood residents have planned a tight-knit community that offers the convenience of a big city and the quiet of a small town. More than 75 years later, the city has grown into what its founders envisioned, featuring an inviting mix of elegant, established neighborhoods, new high-profile developments, and distinctive office buildings that blend Leawood's historical traditions with modern sensibilities. Residents enjoy a variety of cultural amenities in the region, including museums, music venues, professional sports stadiums, and high-quality special events. Leawood offers high-quality educational and recreational opportunities and events, along with multiple public art installations throughout the City. Our long-standing reputation for artistic excellence is a point of pride for the community's residents. Leawood families have educational opportunities in both the Blue Valley School District #229 and the Shawnee Mission School District #512 for grades K-12. Those who prefer private schools have a selection of Cure of Ars, Church of the Nativity, and St. Michael the Archangel Catholic elementary schools, a satellite campus of Barstow Elementary School, and the Shul-Chabad of Leawood Hebrew School. More than a dozen public and private colleges and universities offer secondary education with easy commutes. The median household income in Leawood is just over $185,000, while home prices average about $890,000. Compensation and Benefits The 2027 salary range for the City Attorney is $142,000 - $219,000. Placement within the range will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience. Salary is complemented by a City-provided vehicle allowance, civic membership, professional development, attendance at local and national industry conferences, top-notch facilities, Governing Body support, and a team of employees who are committed to supporting and serving the citizens of Leawood. More details about health and welfare benefits are available on the City's employee benefits website at leawood-benefits.org. This position is covered by the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS). Application and Selection Process Exceptional candidates interested in being considered for this exciting career opportunity to join one of the Kansas City metro's most sought-after communities will need to submit a cover letter, resume, and Application for Employment via the City's Career Opportunities website. Applications Due December 11, 2026. Selected finalists will be asked to participate in interviews on-site. Finalists will meet with department employees and other City representatives as part of the selection process. For more information, or if you experience any issues while submitting your materials, contact: Nicholas Sanders Director of Human Resources (913) 663-9105