Director of Legal Affairs - Municipal Affairs Division

Salary : $127,243.00 - $162,301.00 Annually Location : City Hall 300 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI Job Type: Permanent Job Number: 727-0226 Department: City Attorney Opening Date: 02/06/2026 Closing Date: 3/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Nature of Work We are currently seeking to fill the Director of Legal Affairs position in the Municipal Affairs Division of the City Attorney's Office. Candidates must be licensed and in good standing with the State of Michigan BarAssociation. The Director of Legal Affairs will be responsible for the leadership of Assistant City Attorneys and administrative staff. The work will involve management oversight of municipal activities, Board Counsel for various economic and community development boards, advising on a variety of municipal finance mechanisms, provide consultation on statutes impacting municipal operations, as well asadvising most City departments within the organization regarding municipal issues that arise. This is an advanced professional legal position in which the director of a legal division serves as the lead attorney and primary manager over the daily affairs of a division in the City's Law Department. The position involves the direct management and oversight of legal services specifically as they relate to the respective division's functions (litigation, enforcement and municipal law). It is expected that an employee serving in the director's role over one of these divisions will have complete management responsibilities and serve as the lead attorney for handling legal matters. The director will oversee all cases of the division and ensure that complex legal issues are handled professionally. The position has the responsibility and authority to provide guidance and daily supervision of the operations for the division. Supervisory duties include, but are not limited to, the oversight of the professional legal staff to provide direction in their ability to properly handle cases, projects, legal communications, presentations and other related duties consistent with the Law Department's functions; responsibility for making regular work assignments; administration of employee performance reviews, counseling and coaching guidance when needed; facilitation of employee professional development training opportunities; ensuring that staff implement LEAN initiatives involving the legal services provided by the division. The director is also expected to assist with cost estimates and the department's budgetary process as needed. This position operates with a great deal of decision-making autonomy and discretion to fulfill these responsibilities. Work is performed under the authority of the City Attorney. Supervision of the position is exercised through periodic meetings and reports to the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney. Minimum Training and ExperienceGraduation from law school Possession of a license to practice law in the State of Michigan. -AND- Four (4) years of experience in the practice of law, including experience in trial work -OR- Any equivariant combination of training and experience PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Three (3) years of experience serving in a leadership or management role over professional legal staff. Six (6) years of experience with at least 3 years of municipal law and supervising other attorneys Other Information We Offer: Medical, Dental, and Vision starting on Day 1 6% employee 401a contribution with employer matching (6% or 7% based on bargaining unit) Employee & Employer contributions to Retiree Health Savings Account Voluntary benefits such as term life insurance, flexible spending accounts, accidental insurance, disability insurance, and deferred compensation plan options Twelve Paid Holidays Paid Vacation and Sick Time Paid parking (if applicable) Employee Home Ownership Incentive Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities Paid Parental Leave Employee Assistance Program with free mental health counseling Comprehensive Wellness program with a health and wellness incentive Employee Discounts and Perks Should an applicant need any disability related accommodation or other consideration in the application or selection process, please notify the human resources department upon submittal of application The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Please Note: This position is subject to the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and all relevant civil service rules. For additional information, links to union agreement and Civil Service Rules are provided below. 01 Are you licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan? Yes No 02 If you are licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, please state the month/year of your admission to practice. If not yet licensed, state the month/year in which you anticipate being admitted to practice. If you are not licensed and are not attempting to be licensed, write N/A. 03 Have you ever been suspended from the practice of law? Yes No 04 If you have been suspended from the practice of law, explain the reasons, facts and duration. If not applicable, write N/A. 05 Have you ever been subject to discipline by any State Bar? Yes No 06 If you have been disciplined by any State Bar, describe the reasons and the outcome. If not applicable, write N/A. 07 List the state and/or federal courts in which you are licensed to practice law or have been admitted to the bar. If not applicable, write N/A. 08 List the state and/or federal courts in which you have personally appeared in criminal matters during the past 7 years. If not applicable, write N/A. 09 On average, how many cases have you tried to a jury during the past 7 years? If not applicable, write N/A. 10 On average, how many litigation cases have you handled as your personal caseload at any one time during the past 7 years? If no experience with litigation cases, write N/A. 11 Do you have criminal law experience? Yes No 12 Please indicate the number of years and describe your criminal law experience. If no related experience, write N/A. 13 Please identify (name) the types of criminal matters you have routinely handled over the past 7 years. If no related experience, write N/A. 14 Do you have experience prosecuting on behalf of police officers or the City/police department in criminal matters? Yes No 15 Do you have staff supervisory experience? (Attorney/legal support and others) Yes No 16 Please describe your staff supervisory experience, identifying the number of years experience, and types and numbers of staff supervised. If no related supervisory experience, write N/A. 17 Please select the years of experience you have practicing law. Between 1 and 3 years Between 4 and 6 years Between 7 and 9 years 10 years or more Required Question

Created: 2026-03-10