Assistant City Attorney/Senior Assistant City Attorney - Civil Division

One Client. Endless Legal Possibilities.

A broader practice without billable hours.

A pension, generous paid leave, and great health insurance.

A meaningful role that works for your life.

A City’s Worth of Legal Challenges.

Some attorneys spend their careers specializing in only one area of law and spend their days keeping track of every six minutes.

What if you could leave behind the billable hours and niche work without giving up challenging and meaningful work?

At the City of Kent, we’re looking for an attorney with in-house or transactional experience to join our Civil Division. Someone who enjoys solving problems, tackling complex legal questions, and applying their expertise across a surprisingly diverse range of issues. You’ll join a small but mighty team of six attorneys and three support professionals. This opening comes from an internal promotion, and we’re excited to welcome another talented attorney to the team.

Your Practice. Expanded.

Municipal law includes many practice areas. One day you might negotiate an agreement for a major infrastructure project. The next, you’re advising on employment matters, working through a land-use question, or helping shape legislation that affects an entire community. With years of experience on our team, we still run into novel issues every day! Your practice could span:

• Real estate and property law: Navigate transactions, acquisitions, and complex property matters.
• Land use and code enforcement: Advise on regulations, development, and compliance.
• Employment and public safety: Provide practical legal guidance on issues that matter to City operations.
• Contracts and infrastructure: Draft and negotiate agreements supporting major investments and long-term projects.
• Legislation and policy: Draft ordinances, interpret laws, and evaluate proposed state legislation.
• Advocacy: Represent the City before hearing examiners, courts, and City Council.
• Technology and business licensing: Help navigate evolving legal and operational challenges.

You don’t need to have practiced in every one of these areas. The opportunity is to bring your experience, expand your knowledge, and grow as an attorney.

All the Challenge. None of the Billable Hours.

We take our legal responsibilities seriously, but don’t measure our value in six-minute increments. At Kent, you’ll find a professional environment where good judgment, collaboration, and results matter. You’ll also find benefits designed to support your career and your life outside the office:

• Flexible work options. Some remote work, flexible scheduling, and 9/80 schedules.
• A pension and deferred compensation. Build toward your future while doing work you enjoy today.
• Comprehensive health benefits. Quality coverage with low employee premiums.
• Time away that actually adds up. Paid holidays, personal days, vacation, and sick leave.
• Additional management benefits. Opportunities for extra compensation or purchasing additional vacation.
• Professional development. Paid bar dues and continuing legal education.
• Commute options. Free parking and convenient access to train and bus service just three blocks away.
• Negotiable hiring incentives for well-qualified candidates.

Build a Career with Breadth and Balance.

At the City of Kent, you won’t be limited to one practice area. You’ll be part of a professional team trusted to address complex legal challenges while supporting an entire city. You’ll work alongside experienced attorneys, collaborate with City leadership and departments, and help navigate legal issues that affect everything from infrastructure to public safety. We value thoughtful legal advice, professionalism, teamwork, and people who bring both expertise and curiosity to their work. And yes, we believe you should have a life outside of it.

Bring your expertise. Expand your practice. Enjoy your life outside work.

Applicants must be admitted to practice and in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association. Some prior civil legal experience is required, with a preference for municipal legal experience. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills, and must be able to work as part of a cohesive and collaborative team in a fast-paced environment.

** Writing samples will be requested for those invited to interview.

***Candidates who possess municipal civil legal experience of five (5) years or more will be considered for hiring as a …