Community Police Commission/ House Counsel Assistant Director Of Law

In 2022, the City of Cleveland ("City") established a new Community Police Commission ("CPC"), following the passage of Issue 24, where Cleveland voters called for stronger civilian oversight of the City's Division of Police ("CDP"). The CPC is an independent 13-member board, appointed by the Mayor, which was established to serve as the final authority on discipline, recruitment, and training of officers. It is responsible for engaging the community in policy creation, enforcement of constitutional policing, and building a collaborative relationship between the police and the communities they serve.
The City Law Department and the CPC seek an attorney to provide legal support and expertise to the CPC (approx. 20hrs) as well as represent various other City departments in aspects of Municipal Law, including but not limited to contracting, legislation, and other transactional legal counsel (approx. 20hrs). A strong work ethic, passion for public service, and strong academic credentials, research and legal-writing skills are required. Ohio Bar membership in good standing is required. The ideal candidate must be hard-working, technically proficient, and able to analyze complex issues of Law all while working well as a team member in a fast-paced environment.Responsibilities:
The attorney will have the responsibility to:

• Advise CPC staff and commissioners on legal questions regarding public meetings, constitutional law, City Charter, and other matters related to the authority granted to the CPC under section 115-5 of the City Charter;
• Conduct legal research and analysis on the ongoing state of constitutional policing;
• Conduct audits and reviews of police discipline cases to help prepare CPC for evidentiary hearings and appeals that come before the CPC;
• Review CPC rules, bylaws, policies, and practices for compliance with City, State, and Federal Law;
• Attend all full CPC meetings, and committee meetings when required by the CPC Executive Director;
• Assist in the execution of agreements and contracts, and advise the CPC Executive Director on the administration and enforcement of such agreements as necessary to implement programs and carry out the CPC's duties;
• Work with the City Department of Law to mitigate conflicts of interest between the CPC and City Administration;
• Work with the CPC to provide information, knowledge, and expertise to other City departments regarding issues of constitutional policing;
• Assist in outreach to the legal community regarding the work of the CPC
• Draft and review contracts and other legal documents to support the City Law Department's House Counsel section;
• Perform legal research on transactional and municipal law issues that arise from City departments represented by the House Counsel section;
• Other duties as assigned by the City Law Director, Chief Assistant Director of Law (House Counsel), or the CPC Executive Director

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and in good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to work independently and in a team setting, and effectively collaborate with a variety of stakeholders.
• Efficient, organized work style and proficiency in prioritizing and multi-tasking quickly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organizational skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent legal analytical and research skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional performance auditing, analytical, or policy work experience;
• Experience in areas of compliance and municipal law
• Experience working on constitutional issues, restorative justice, and/or civil rights
• Knowledge of constitutional criminal procedure and law enforcement best practices.

The candidate hired for this position will display a broad knowledge or interest in public service, municipal law, law enforcement, community policing, compliance, policy review. Candidate must also have the ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends for special events and engagements.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
**In addition to your completed application, please submit a cover letter, résumé, three references, and two writing samples to Mark Griffin, Director of Law, City of Cleveland Department of Law by email to jhumphrey@clevelandohio.govEmployment Type: Full-time