Deputy City Attorney III

About Us

The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the Office provides the City with the highest caliber legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors, playing a leading role in criminal justice reform, advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California.

Guided by an overarching commitment to integrity, accountability and transparency, we find great meaning in the work we do and the services we provide.

We seek collaborative team players who understand that fulfilling our mission is key to making a positive impact.

There is an immediate opening for a Deputy City Attorney in the Land Use Division of the Real Estate Branch for attorneys with litigation and/or transactional experience in land use planning & zoning matters, building codes and ordinances, and providing advice on land use planning matters to public agencies and legislative bodies.  
 

As one of several Real Estate Branch teams, the Land Use Division provides litigation support and legal counsel to the Department of Building and Safety and the Department of Planning, all land use commissions and boards, and the City Council and its committees.  Areas of the law for which the Land Use Division is responsible include planning, zoning, and the building code.  The Division handles litigation in both state and federal court, including matters involving writs of mandate, damage actions, civil rights actions, constitutional challenges, and declaratory and injunctive relief actions.  The Division is also responsible for drafting ordinances and regulatory documents relating to amendments to the Los Angeles Municipal Code, specific plans, and zoning and building regulations, as well as participating in the City’s community plan update program.  In addition, the Division provides legal advice, including Brown Act advice, to various boards, commissions, and legislative bodies that work with the Departments of City Planning and Building and Safety, including the City Planning Commission, Area Planning Commissions, the Cultural Heritage Commission, the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners, the City Council, and Council Committees.  The Division also provides legal advice to other City Departments, elected officials, and Commissions on selected land use/land development matters, and other special projects, as needed. 

The attorney assigned to this position will primarily participate in and/or handle litigation, draft ordinances, and advise City staff, officials and consultants on matters involving land use plans, zoning, and building and safety ordinances, and development projects, and will work closely with other attorneys and support staff in the Land Use Division. 

• Minimum three years of legal practice that includes demonstrated courtroom and litigation experience; experience advising and/or litigating land use planning and zoning and/or building code compliance matters is highly desired.
• Knowledge of the City Charter and the Municipal Code, including Chapter I and 1A of the Zoning Code, and Chapter 9 of the Building Code is highly desired.
• Knowledge of and working experience with state land use statutes, including but not limited to state housing laws, Subdivision Map Act, Brown Act, Public Records Act, and state Planning and Zoning law is highly desired.
• Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
• Strong legal, analytical, written & oral communication, advocacy, and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to work across divisions and departments.

Requirements for Application 

• Cover Letter
• Resume

• Candidates are required to submit two recent writing samples, one of which should be a persuasive writing sample. 

Current Location

City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within the County of Los Angeles.

Probation

Appointment to this exempt position (non-Civil Service) will be subject to a two year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successfully completing this probationary period will result in tenure with the office.

Classification

Internal applicants: Placement in this position will be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification. 

Application and Deadline

Interested candidates should go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacityattorney/ to apply online.

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview. Position will remain open until filled.

Conflict-of-Interest

This position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict-of-Interest Code. 

Contact

Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org.

AS A COVERED ENTITY UNDER TITLE Il OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY AND, UPON REQUEST, WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES. TO REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION AT (213) 978-7160.