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

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)