Assistant City Attorney | Torts Section | Civil Division

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff employees, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.
 
The Torts Section is seeking candidates for an Assistant City Attorney to represent the City. This litigation position provides legal representation and advice to the City in personal injury, property damage, and other matters. This attorney will be an integral member of the Civil Division, working collaboratively to provide the City of Seattle and its residents with excellent quality and cost-effective legal services.
 
The Torts Section litigates and advises on a broad range of topics.  Section litigation ranges from straightforward arbitrations to complex multi-party lawsuits and appellate matters. Recent legal work in this section includes litigation and advice regarding road design, protests, roadway defects, automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, falls, sewage backups, fallen power lines, stormwater drainage, timber trespass, construction, and ADA compliance. The person hired will be responsible for all aspects of litigation including pre-filing advice, discovery, depositions, motions practice, trial, appeals, and settlement discussions. Attorneys in Torts typically manage a varied caseload and work independently and collaboratively with other section attorneys and staff as needed. While most of the section's litigation work involves defending the City, section attorneys may also represent the City in plaintiff's litigation on select property damage cases.  

Torts Section attorneys regularly advise City departments and employees regarding risk management and avoidance as they develop programs, projects, and policies.  This attorney will also consult with the City's Risk Management division regarding pre-litigation claims filed against the City pursuant to RCW 4.92.100.
 
The Torts Section is excited to add a colleague to a team of nine other attorneys, two paralegals, and two legal assistants.  In addition to providing an excellent opportunity for public service, the City Attorney's Office offers a generous benefit program that includes low-cost health benefits, life insurance, paid leave benefits, paid parental and family leave, and the opportunity to participate in a defined benefit retirement program.

The attorney hired for this position will have the opportunity to thoroughly research legal issues and collaborate with dedicated colleagues and clients regularly. The successful candidate should also expect to take a lead role on cases shortly after joining the office.
 
 Job Tasks include:

• Defending the City in civil litigation, including trials
• Advising City departments regarding risk-related issues
• Investigating claims and analyzing liability
• Taking and defending depositions
• Legal research regarding a wide variety of topics including torts, municipal law, premises liability, civil rights, and other matters
• Advising clients
• Collaborating with colleagues in the CAO
• Identifying and working with needed experts
• Case valuation, including review of medical records
• Developing expertise in new and developing areas of the law
• Participation in the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism and race-based disparities in City government

To be successful in this role, the selected candidate will need the knowledge and skills gained by experience working as an attorney, including:

• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
• Capability to handle complex assignments independently and a wide variety of tasks simultaneously
• Litigation experience with the demonstrated ability to take on a lead role on cases shortly after joining the office
• Experience with personal injury litigation, property damage litigation, the Washington Civil Rules, or electronic discovery
• Prior work preparing expert and lay witnesses for deposition and trial
• Prior civil motions practice or trial experience
• The willingness to work collaboratively with a team to find creative solutions

This position requires membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or licensure in another state with the ability to complete the process of obtaining membership within 2 months of the offer of employment. 

Application Process – For your application to be accepted you must:

• Complete the online City Application.
• Attach a resume detailing your relevant experience.
• Attach a cover letter describing your interest in the position.
• Provide a legal writing sample that is less than 10 pages. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.

Application Submission Guidelines—All applicants must apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc., will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site.

The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application before the job closing date indicated to ensure full consideration for the application submitted.  Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Compensation and Benefits – Civil ACAs: Salaries of Assistant City Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Seattle City Attorney's Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. Full Salary Range: 48.74/hr. - 78.44/hr. For example, the 2024 annual salary is $101,766 for someone with up to one year of experience, $140,782 for someone with ten years of experience, and $158,861 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees.  City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Workplace Environment – The Seattle City Attorney’s Office has implemented an Alternative Work Arrangements Policy.  Employees will have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days in office, 3 days remote).  This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Background Check Requirements (Excluding Civil positions) – All positions are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.  The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy.  The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Questions?  Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.