Assistant City Attorney
City of Champaign, IL
Are you looking for an Assistant City Attorney role where your work visibly strengthens the community while offering purpose, stability, and work life balance? In the City of Champaign’s council manager form of government, you’ll support elected officials, City leadership, and staff through impactful, hands on municipal legal work. This role provides broad exposure across diverse legal areas in a collaborative environment that values service and practical problem solving.
Responsibilities of Position
In this role, you’ll apply your legal expertise in a mission driven environment where your work has a real, daily impact on the community. Our Assistant City Attorneys gain broad exposure to many areas of law, handle meaningful work early on, and collaborate in a supportive, team oriented environment that provides professional stability, work life balance, and the chance to make a visible difference.
Core responsibilities include:
• Advising City officials and departments on local government law, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Open Meetings Act (OMA), and municipal governance issues.
• Managing, evaluating, and litigating cases involving ordinance enforcement, small claims, workers’ compensation, and civil rights defense.
• Researching issues and preparing clear, well reasoned written legal opinions to support City decision making.
• Drafting, reviewing, and interpreting legal documents such as contracts, legislation, resolutions, real estate documents, and materials related to municipal regulation.
• Leading or supporting contract creation, review, and negotiation, including participation in labor negotiations.
• Conducting real estate transactional work, including acquisitions, dispositions, and related documentation.
• Overseeing the work of assigned staff, including law clerks/interns as appropriate.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the organization to solve problems, support community initiatives, and contribute to a broad range of municipal projects.
The full annual salary range is $114,891 - $160,857, accompanied by an excellent fringe benefits package. Most new hires will be placed at the beginning of the range. Benefits include: paid vacation, sick, and personal leave; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 11 paid holidays per year; pension under IMRF and more. Visit champaignil.gov/hr/salaries-and-benefits/ and select Non-Bargaining Unit Exempt Full-Time under Fringe Benefit Summaries for details.
The City’s mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, and Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. The Citty of Champaign is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.