Waco, known as the Heart of Texas for its upbeat and friendly hospitality, is situated on the banks of the celebrated Brazos River, midway between Dallas and Austin on Interstate 35. Waco has a population of 140,000, and the metro area has a population of 300,000, the twelfth largest metro in Texas. Waco is a home-rule city that operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council, comprised of six elected members, is responsible for setting the tax rate, approving the budget, appointing members to City boards and commissions, and enacting ordinances. The City Manager, City Attorney, City Secretary, and Municipal Court Judge are appointed by the City Council.

The City Attorney’s Office provides legal assistance and advice to the Waco City Council, boards, commissions, City management, and employees. With a proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget of over $1.9 million and a team of 11, the office represents or supervises the representation of the City of Waco in all legal matters, prosecutes violations of City ordinances and Class C misdemeanors in the Waco Municipal Court, and drafts and/or reviews resolutions, ordinances, contracts, agreements, deeds, and other legal documents in which the City has an interest. The department’s organizational structure currently has attorneys assigned to specific departments and tasks, including open records, litigation support, and municipal court prosecution. A single attorney also handles all employment law issues.

One of four officials appointed by and working under the guidance of the Waco City Council, the City Attorney acts as chief legal advisor and provides legal representation, advice, and services to colleagues throughout the organization and elected and appointed leaders. Waco’s City Charter establishes a four-year term for the City Attorney, during which the selected candidate may only be removed for cause. The position plans, directs, reviews, and evaluates the staff and functions of the office, including professional civil and criminal legal work, contracts, risk management, and legal and technical documents. It also represents the City in civil and criminal matters before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, state and federal agencies, and mediators and arbitrators, including acting as a prosecutor in municipal court.

The City of Waco seeks a dynamic and skilled legal mind to serve as its next City Attorney. This position requires a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school and five (5) years of experience in municipal government legal practice, including courtroom experience. The selected candidate must be licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas and have practiced law in Texas for at least five (5) years immediately preceding their appointment. They must also remain active with all Texas Bar’s annual requirements and become licensed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas upon hire. Experience supervising attorneys and legal support staff is preferred. Upon appointment, the selected candidate must be a resident of the City of Waco.

The City of Waco is offering a salary range starting at $240,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Please apply online.

For more information on this position contact:
Lissa Barker, Senior Vice President
lissabarker@governmentresource.com
817-266-0647