General Statement of Duties
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Come work as a litigator in a dynamic legal environment that offers a meaningful and unique experience that you will not find elsewhere. The Solicitor’s Office is seeking a hardworking attorney with a demonstrable track record of professional and personal success to join its Litigation Division. The Litigation Division offers interesting work and an opportunity to distinguish oneself through motion, trial, and appellate practice in a diverse range of constitutional and governmental matters, including free speech, property rights, taxation, policing, and municipal governance, among others. The division also handles real estate and contractual disputes, personal injury, torts, land\-use matters, public records law, and labor and employment. In addition, this position works closely with Solicitor’s Office leadership to provide effective risk management counseling and practical and legal guidance to the City Administration and elected officials on sensitive legal matters.
The ideal candidate will have at least five years of litigation experience in one or more of the subject\-matter areas described above, including substantial first\-chair trial and appellate experience. Experience defending § 1983 or labor and employment matters is preferred. The ideal candidate will have capable judgment, excellent writing and analytical skills, and the ability to effectively interact with elected officials, members of the City Administration, opposing counsel, and the general public. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to public service and must be licensed to practice law in Ohio.
The City of Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and demonstrated ability.
Interested candidates should attach their resume and letter of interest with their online application by March 31, 2026\.
For inquiries, please contact Lisa Kunz, Law Department, Room 214, City Hall, 801 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Lisa.Kunz@cincinnati\-oh.gov
Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)
(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)
Knowledge of:
Modern and complex principles and practices of public law. Basic methods of public administration.
Legal principles, practices, and procedures of civil, constitutional, and administrative law.
Knowledge of public sector law, including familiarity with federal and state laws and regulations impacting municipalities.
Effective trial skills and substantive trial experience.
Methods and techniques of effective legal research.
Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of City government.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and their past applications. Awarenessoftheorganization,duties,powers,authority,policies,andproceduresofboththeCity Solicitor's office in general and the Litigation Division.
Advanced legal writing skills.
Ethical standards as applied to the City Solicitor’s Office and all public employees in Ohio.
Ability to:
Work collaboratively and congenially within the office and with a diverse constituency.
Prepare clear, concise, and effective legal position papers and opinions.
Negotiate, draft, review, and execute agreements, including MOUs, settlement agreements, or other documents related to litigation matters.
Organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and knowledge of complex legal problems.
Provide concise and well\-reasoned recommendations on legal issues and questions from internal clients in situations in which laws, regulations, and legal precedent may be unclear.
Communicate substantive legal issues to non\-lawyers in a concise and effective manner, in written and verbal contexts.
Manage case preparation and presentation of City cases in court.
Practice effective time management.
Establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with those
contacted in the course of work.
Research legal issues through various computer programs and applications.
Stay engaged in continued professional development through appropriate internal and external trainings.
Interact with elected officials, City administration, community stakeholders, and the general public.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:Specific:
Investigate legal claims against the City and potential municipal liability in multiple contexts.
Respond to legal claims in defense of the municipal corporation and its officers and employees in court and other tribunals.
Interact regularly with City decision makers, elected officials, and community stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives; draft complex legal opinions and provide timely guidance to City clients.
General:
Collaborate with and support attorneys and staff within the division.
Research legal questions and evaluate the impact on City policies and procedures.
Provide legal guidance and written legal opinions to City departments and other City clients.
Appear in court and administrative proceedings to represent the City's interests as required.
Coordinate office activities with those of other departments, outside agencies, and organizations; provide necessary assistance to the City Solicitor; prepare and present reports and other office correspondence.
Review legal publications to keep abreast of current legal issues and cases; attend
administration, community stakeholders, and the general public.
Required Education and Experience
Please attach your resume and letter of interest to your application.
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited academic institution.
Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio.
Desirablequalifications:
Experience working within or closely with a governmental organization or other complex organization.
Experience defending § 1983 and/or labor and employment cases.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Possession of an Ohio State license to practice law.
MILITARY EDUCATION \& EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
Military education and experience may be substituted for college level course work at the lower and upper division baccalaureate and graduate levels and apprenticeship training at the vocational certificate level on a case by case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations.
Working and Physical Conditions
Environmental Conditions:
Work in an in\-person office setting plus occasional remote work; driving to court hearings or other off\-site meetings; exposure to computer screens; need to work closely with others.
Physical Conditions:
Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.
The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.
The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full\-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.
The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job\-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.
Holidays
The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
President's Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas
Health Insurance
The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non\-city eligible group plan.
Eligible dependents include:
Legal Spouse or Equal Partner
Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")
Step\-child
Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian
Basic Life Insurance
A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City\-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.
Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident \& Critical Illness Insurance
Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.
Flexible Benefits Plans
Healthcare Flex Spending Account
City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out\-of\-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.
Dependent Care Flex Spending Account
City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work\-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre\-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.
Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account
City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set\-up a pre\-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.
Healthy Lifestyles Program
City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out\-of\-pocket medical expenses.
Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non\-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.
Retirement Plan
The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part\-time and full\-timeemployees. New hires and re\-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police \& Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police \& Fire Retirees.
Deferred Compensation
As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax\-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.