Municipal Associate Attorney Civil & Prosecution (Large MN City)

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits :

401(k)

401(k) matching

Bonus based on performance

Company parties

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Training & development

Location : Apple Valley, MN (serving multiple south-metro municipalities)

Job Type : Full-time, exempt

Practice Areas : General Municipal, Civil (land use / zoning, contracts, data / open meetings), Criminal Prosecution (misdemeanor / gross misdemeanor / ordinance)

About Us

Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A. provides comprehensive legal counsel to cities, townships, and special districts, including general civil representation and prosecution services. Our team partners with several south-metro municipalities on day-to-day governance and courtroom advocacy.

Job Summary

Were hiring a municipal associate to support civil advisory work and prosecution for a large Minnesota municipality (and other municipal clients). The role blends courtroom time with advisory and drafting work, offering immediate, meaningful responsibility alongside experienced mentors.

What Youll Do

Civil / Advisory

• Advise staff, administrators, and councils on land use, planning & zoning, contracts, licensing, procurement, constitutional issues, and employment questions.
• Draft / review ordinances, resolutions, development agreements, RFPs / RFQs, and intergovernmental agreements.
• Counsel on Minnesota Open Meeting Law and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act compliance.
• Support assessment appeals, eminent domain, and other municipal litigation.

Prosecution

• Handle arraignments, pretrials, motions, and trials for misdemeanor / gross-misdemeanor and ordinance matters.
• Manage discovery, plea negotiations, victim / witness communications, and trial prep.

What You Bring

• 35+ years of relevant experience (municipal civil, prosecution, or closely related).
• Courtroom experience and strong written advocacy.
• Some working knowledge of land use, public law, and Minnesota criminal procedure.
• Practical, solution-oriented counseling style and calm under pressure.
• Active Minnesota bar license (in good standing) and valid drivers license for occasional travel to city halls / courthouses.

Nice to Have

• Planning & zoning hearing experience; drafting staff reports or council memos.
• Experience with OML / Data Practices investigations and training.
• Prior service as a city / township prosecutor or public-sector attorney.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Full benefits, CLE / bar dues covered, training / mentorship, and growth path.
• Meaningful courtroom and council exposure with a supportive team.
• Free parking; south-metro convenience.

How to Apply

• Resume
• Brief cover letter highlighting municipal and prosecution experience
• 1 writing sample (e.g., prosecution motion, memo, or municipal advisory document; de-identified)