HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegal AssistantUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Legal Assistant
Department: City Attorney’s Office
Division: City Attorney’s Office
Supervisor: City Attorney
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 26
Job Number: 2607
Job Summary
Researches and prepares legal correspondence and documents for review, approval and use by
the City Attorney and department staff. Monitors assigned legal files and dockets, contacts
attorneys, witnesses, and parties to litigation.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Assists City Attorneys in trial preparation by helping with deposition review to highlight
key statements and preparing deposition summaries.
• Drafts litigation pleadings, discovery and appellate briefs, documents for review, editing
and use by City Attorneys.
• Requests information for discovery and prepares responses.
• Monitors legal files and dockets, ensuring they are complete and up to date.
• Responds to staff and general public’s questions and requests.
• Files, arranges for service and monitors municipal infraction cases.
• Communicates with public, attorneys, and officers.
• Subpoenas and interviews witnesses.
• Logs cases.
• Assists with acquisition and sale of property by preparing legal documents, drafting
closing documents, and processing closing checks.
• Schedules public housing and termination hearings.
• Maintains master calendar and tickler system.
• Assists with Public Works projects, land acquisition, plats, drafting legal agreements to
buy land or proceed with condemnation.
• Performs periodic back up duties to Administrative Secretary.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or three years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in
legal work.
• Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in
written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions,
proportions, percentage.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized
situations.
• Ability to draw contrasts and comparisons or synthesize and digest the material and
apply it to legal issues.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to read and understand complex legal writings, attention to grammar and editing
abilities.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to write business correspondence.
• Knowledge of legal office procedures and terminology
• Knowledge of processes and procedures of court activities.
• Knowledge of research methods and report writing.
• Skill in organization, analysis, and oral and written communication.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Munis, ProLaw).
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The
employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to
adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Eric Goers, City Attorney (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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