Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

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

We’re 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 You’ll 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

• 3–5+ 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 driver’s 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)

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