Senior Assistant City Attorney - Litigation

Salary: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 Annually
Location : Municipal Center - 1515 N. Galloway Avenue, Mesquite, TX
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: City Attorney
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 12/2/2026 4:00 PM Central

GENERAL SUMMARY
Salary: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 (Depending on qualifications)

The City of Mesquite seeks an experienced attorney for controversy matters concerning code and zoning enforcement, tort claims, municipal court prosecution, employment and other municipal related litigation. Drafting and providing legal advice and opinions to the City Council, Staff and Boards and Commissions, and attending evening meetings are required as needed. The successful candidate may also appear at and represent the City in internal administrative hearings and assist with other duties as assigned by the City Attorney.

Working remotely one day per week is allowed following successful completion of probation.

SUPERVISION

General supervision is provided by the City Attorney.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. All behaviors comply with the Code of Conduct & Rules of Behavior outlined in Chapter 8 of the General Government Policies and Procedures Manual.
2. Adhere to assigned work schedule as outlined in City and department attendance policies and procedures.
3. Provide legal assistance to City departments regarding all areas of the law with emphasis on code and zoning enforcement, tort claims, employment matters and occasional municipal court prosecution.
4. Case management, trial preparation, trying cases and handling appeals.
5. Monitor outside legal counsel handling City litigation matters and assist as needed; represent the City's interests before state and federal courts.
6. Provide legal interpretation of Federal and State laws and regulations, local ordinances, codes and policies and court decisions.
7. Assist in drafting ordinances, ordinance amendments, resolutions, policies and contracts as needed.
8. Attend meetings and public hearings and render legal advice to the City Council, Staff, Boards and Commissions.
9. Research and writing to prepare legal briefs and opinions.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Stay abreast of new laws, decisions and legal trends impacting municipal matters.
2. Attend CLE seminars.
3. Supervise Assistant City Attorney(s).
4. Perform other administrative and legal duties as assigned.

Hours worked may exceed a traditional 40-hour work week and include evening meetings and working on weekends as necessary.
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION

Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited law school.
EXPERIENCE

Five years of professional legal experience with progressive responsibility representing governmental entities concerning municipal litigation matters with a focus on code and zoning enforcement, tort claims, municipal court prosecution, employment and municipal related litigation.

Experience as an employee of a local governmental entity or law firm representing municipalities are preferred.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Membership in the State Bar of Texas.

Possession of or ability to obtain license for practice before U.S. District Court.

Possession of a valid driver's license.
WORK SCHEDULE
Normal work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and may include some evening meetings and working on weekends as necessary.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position does not require a physical for employment.

Applicants with disabilities meeting the job requirements and capable of performing the essential functions of the job, either on their own or with reasonable accommodations, are encouraged to apply.
Full Time Employees:
The City of Mesquite offers the Zero Premium, Employee Only Benefits under the following plans: High Deductible Medical Plan, Dental HMO Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance.
The City is self-insured and offers a choice of two medical plans: HSA, and High Deductible Medical Plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Employee medical coverage goes into effect the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates. Employees enrolled in the City's self-insured medical plan also have access to the Mesquite Employee Health Center (MEHC) clinic and pharmacy.

The City offers three dental plan options: a managed plan (DHMO), an indemnity plan (DPPO), an enhanced indemnity plan (DPPO Enhanced). Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates.

The City offers free Vision Insurance to all employees. Dependents can be added for an additional fee.

Basic Group Life Insurance protection is provided to eligible full-time employees in the amount of two times the annual salary as recorded at the beginning of each year. The following voluntary benefits are available to full-time employees: Supplemental Life, AD&D Insurance, Cancer Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): All employees appointed to positions designated to work 1,000 hours or more per year must participate in the TMRS. TMRS is a qualified tax-deferred retirement plan under Section 401 of the IRS. Seven (7) percent of gross earnings are deducted each payroll as a pre-tax deduction and deposited into the member account. When an employee becomes vested and retires, the City provides 2-to-1 matching contributions.

Other benefits include Social Security, Tax Saver Program (Section 125 Flexible Spending Account), Deferred Compensation Plans, Direct Deposit, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Personal Leave.
For more information about the City of Mesquite's employee benefits, please visit:
01

Select the option that best represents the highest level of education you have achieved.

• Less than High School completion
• High School or GED equivalency
• Technical or Community College attendance
• Technical School completion
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Ph.D.
• Juris Doctorate

02

Please indicate how many years you possess of professional legal experience with progressive responsibility representing governmental entities concerning municipal litigation matters with a focus on code and zoning enforcement, tort claims, municipal court prosecution, employment and municipal related litigation.

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• more than 6 years

03

Please indicate how many years you possess as an employee of a local governmental entity or law firm representing municipalities.

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• more than 6 years

04

Do you have current membership in the State Bar of Texas?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you currently possess or have the ability to obtain a license for practice before the U.S. District Court.

• Yes I have a current license for practice before the U.S. District Court.
• Yes, I have the ablity to obtain a license for practice before the U.S. District Court.
• No, I do not have the ability to obtain a license for practice before the U.S. District Court.

06

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: If you are a current City of Mesquite employee, have you been employed in your current position with the City of Mesquite for at least 3 months? Please indicate the option that best represents your current status.

• No, I do NOT work for the City of Mesquite
• Yes, I am a current seasonal employee with the City of Mesquite
• Yes, I have been in my current City position as a fulltime/parttime employee for at least 3 months
• No, I have NOT been in my current City of Mesquite position as a fulltime/parttime employee for 3 months

Required Question