City Attorney

City of Hampton, Georgia
Job Description: City Attorney
Reports To: City Council (with administrative coordination through the City Manager)
FLSA Status: Exempt (Contract Services)
Effective Date: TBD
Salary Range: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Position Summary
The City Attorney serves as the chief legal officer for the City of Hampton, Georgia. This
position provides high-level legal advice, representation, and counsel to the Mayor, City Council,
City Manager, department heads, boards, commissions, and other city officials and employees in
their official capacities. The City Attorney ensures all municipal actions comply with federal,
state, and local laws, the City Charter, ordinances, and policies while protecting the City's
interests and promoting transparent, ethical governance.
This is a highly responsible executive and professional position requiring sound judgment,
expertise in municipal law, and the ability to navigate complex legal and policy issues in a
growing small-city environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
? Legal Advice and Opinions: Provide timely oral and written legal opinions on matters
affecting the City, including interpretation of the City Charter, ordinances, state and
federal laws, contracts, and policies. Advise on governance, ethics, procurement,
personnel, land use, economic development (e.g., data centers, water agreements, bonds,
easements), grants, and compliance issues.
? Representation and Litigation: Represent the City in civil litigation, administrative
proceedings, and other legal matters (or coordinate with special counsel as needed).
Defend the City and its officials/employees in suits arising from official duties. Prosecute
or handle code enforcement, eminent domain, and other proceedings as authorized.
? Document Review and Preparation: Draft, review, and approve as to form and legality
all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, deeds, leases, RFPs/RFQs, policies,
and other legal instruments. Ensure compliance with procurement laws, Open Meetings
Act, Open Records Act, and other Georgia requirements.
? Meetings and Boards: Attend City Council meetings, work sessions, and meetings of
boards/commissions (e.g., Planning Commission, Housing Authority) as required or
requested. Provide legal guidance during deliberations.
? Risk Management and Compliance: Identify and mitigate legal risks. Advise on ethics,
conflicts of interest, personnel matters, investigations, and policy modernization (e.g.,

procurement, pensions). Support external investigations and compliance with
state/federal grants and regulations.
? Contract Negotiation: Negotiate and prepare contracts, intergovernmental agreements
(IGAs), economic development incentives, and real estate transactions.
? Supervision and Administration: Oversee budget for legal services and coordinate with
outside counsel when appropriate.
? Other Duties: Perform additional duties as assigned by the City Council or City
Manager, including research, training for staff/officials, and responses to public records
requests (in coordination with departments).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
? Thorough knowledge of municipal law, Georgia local government law (Charter, Open
Meetings/Open Records Acts, procurement, ethics, zoning, etc.), constitutional law,
contracts, litigation, and administrative procedures.
? Strong analytical, research, writing, negotiation, and communication skills.
? Ability to provide clear, practical advice to non-lawyers; exercise independent judgment;
and maintain confidentiality and impartiality.
? High ethical standards and commitment to transparent, compliant governance.
Minimum Qualifications
? Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
? Active license to practice law in the State of Georgia (or eligibility for admission).
? Minimum 5–8 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal law, local
government, or related practice (experience with Georgia municipalities preferred).
? Demonstrated experience in municipal transactions, litigation management, drafting
ordinances/contracts, and advising elected officials and staff.
Preferred Qualifications
? Prior service as a City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, or equivalent in a Georgia
municipality.
? Experience with economic development incentives, grants, public finance,
personnel/ethics investigations, and rapid-growth issues (e.g., data centers,
infrastructure).
? Familiarity with the City of Hampton’s Charter, Code of Ordinances, and current
priorities (procurement modernization, governance transparency, etc.).
Working Conditions
? Primarily office-based with frequent attendance at evening meetings.
? On-call availability for urgent legal matters.

This position is appointed by the City Council and serves at the pleasure of the Council,
consistent with the City Charter. The City Attorney works closely with the City Manager on day-
to-day operations while maintaining independence in legal advice.

If Interested in this opportunity, please respond to RFQ-2026-000

by mail, drop-off, or electronic submission via careers@hamptonga.gov.

Questions due : June 25, 2026 by 5 p.m.

Closing: July 11, 2026 by 4 p.m.