Messer Fort Is Growing: Four Attorney Opportunities Across Texas
Where Municipal Law Careers Can Grow
Messer Fort is growing, and that growth is creating four opportunities for attorneys interested in serving Texas cities.
In Episode 87 of The Clear Voice, Clear Career Professionals sat down with Messer Fort leaders Andy Messer, Julie Fort, and Patricia Adams, along with Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese, for a PositionCast focused on the firm, its culture, and the attorneys it hopes to add to the team.
Messer Fort has grown from a small municipal law practice into a firm serving more than 100 cities and political subdivisions across Texas. Importantly, these positions are not being created because people are leaving. The firm is adding attorneys because its client base and workload continue to grow.
That growth has reached the point where the firm sometimes has to turn away new work to ensure existing clients continue receiving the level of service Messer Fort expects to provide.
A Firm Built Around Municipal Law
Messer Fort represents cities and other governmental entities rather than maintaining a traditional mix of public- and private-sector clients.
For attorneys interested in local government, that creates an unusually broad practice.
Municipal attorneys may work on open meetings and public information issues, land use and zoning, economic development, contracts, human resources, police and fire matters, public infrastructure, development agreements, litigation, and countless other issues affecting the day-to-day operation of a community.
Julie Fort described municipal law as a practice where even after decades in the field, a city can still call with a question she has never encountered before.
That variety is also one reason attorneys joining Messer Fort are not necessarily confined to a narrow practice silo. The firm uses teams that bring together attorneys with different levels of experience, while more senior lawyers help develop attorneys through real projects, mentoring, and regular collaboration.
Four Current Attorney Opportunities
Clear Career Professionals is assisting Messer Fort with four distinct searches.
Senior City Attorney
The Senior City Attorney opportunity is designed for an experienced municipal attorney who can step into significant responsibility quickly.
The attorney will work directly with cities, elected officials, city managers, and staff while providing guidance across the broad range of issues that come with serving as city attorney.
For the right experienced candidate, Messer Fort may also consider a remote arrangement, although the attorney must still be able to serve client cities in person when necessary.
Attorney | Land Use Focus
Rapid growth throughout North Texas continues to create significant demand for attorneys experienced in land use and development.
This role includes zoning and platting matters, development agreements, public improvement districts, tax increment reinvestment zones, and other legal issues arising as communities grow.
Messer Fort is looking for someone who can become a productive member of the team quickly while continuing to expand their expertise in this increasingly important area of municipal law.
Eminent Domain & Chapter 54 Litigator
This position combines two growing litigation areas within the firm.
The attorney will handle eminent domain matters involving property needed for roads, utilities, drainage, and other public projects while also working on Chapter 54 municipal enforcement cases involving issues such as substandard properties, zoning violations, and public health and safety concerns.
Technical legal ability matters, but so does judgment. These cases can be politically sensitive and emotionally charged, making professionalism, communication, and the ability to navigate difficult situations essential.
Municipal Prosecutor & City Attorney
Based in Abilene, this opportunity offers something very different.
The attorney will work alongside the firm's West Texas team handling municipal prosecution while also developing experience across the broader city attorney practice.
That can include contracts, ordinances, real estate matters, open government issues, city council meetings, and other matters affecting client communities.
For an early-career attorney who wants responsibility, variety, and the opportunity to grow into a broader municipal practice, the Abilene position offers a unique path.
Culture Matters at Messer Fort
Technical qualifications are only part of what Messer Fort is looking for.
Throughout the PositionCast, the firm's leaders repeatedly returned to culture.
The office is intentionally less formal than many traditional law firms. Attorneys and staff regularly spend time together, employees can bring dogs to the office, and casual dress is common when attorneys are not meeting with clients or appearing at city hall.
The firm also emphasizes work-life balance and generally operates with a hybrid schedule that allows employees to work remotely part of the week, depending on the needs of the position and clients.
Just as importantly, Messer Fort is looking for people who are enjoyable to work with.
The ideal candidate is collaborative, approachable, comfortable working as part of a team, and genuinely interested in helping communities solve problems.
And unlike many private law firms, attorneys are not expected to become rainmakers and generate their own book of business. Messer Fort already has more opportunities than its current team can handle.
What Candidates Should Know Before the Interview
Candidates hoping to stand out should come prepared to talk about what they have actually done.
Rather than simply saying they have drafted ordinances, handled litigation, or advised governmental clients, Messer Fort wants to hear about specific projects, difficult situations, lessons learned, and how candidates approached problems from beginning to end.
The interview is also intended to work both ways.
Messer Fort wants candidates to ask questions, meet the people they may work alongside, understand the culture, and determine whether the firm is the right fit for them as well.
As Julie Fort explained during the conversation, finding the right fit is a two-way street.
Apply Today
Senior City Attorney: Messer Fort Senior City Attorney - Frisco, Texas
Attorney | Land Use Focus: Messer Fort Attorney | Land Use Focus - Frisco, Texas
Eminent Domain & Chapter 54 Litigator: Messer Fort Eminent Domain & Chapter 54 Litigator - Frisco, Texas
Municipal Prosecutor & City Attorney: Messer Fort Municipal Prosecutor & City Attorney - Abilene, Texas
About The Clear Voice Podcast
The Clear Voice is a dedicated platform for transparency and expert led dialogue within the professional and public sectors. The show serves as a vital resource for leaders who want to move past surface level discussions and dive into the real world mechanics of governance, management, and organizational growth. James Groom is the host of the program.
About Clear Career Professionals
Clear Career Professionals is a specialized recruitment and strategic consulting firm focused on the public sector. We believe that the strength of any municipality or school district lies in the quality of its leadership and the cohesion of its teams. Our team is comprised of former practitioners and retired executives who understand the nuances of public service. We provide organizations with more than just a list of candidates; we provide the strategic oversight and expertise necessary to navigate transitions, maximize taxpayer funds, and implement long term solutions.
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