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 of Los Angeles (“City”) with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform to 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 Housing and Homelessness Division of the Real Estate Branch for an attorney with experience in litigation, transactional matters, and advising public agencies.   

The Division acts as legal counsel to: the City Council’s housing-related committees; the Los Angeles Department of Housing; the Community Investment for Families Department; and various housing-related boards and commissions.   The Division regularly advises clients on various housing laws, such as the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Housing Code; housing production laws such as the density bonus law and Housing Crisis Act; the Community Redevelopment Act; fair housing laws; and affordable housing grants, and loan programs.  

The Division handles a wide range of advisory, transactional, and litigation matters, including drafting loans, grants, covenants, ground leases and related real estate documents for the development of affordable housing; handling litigation in state and federal court arising out of the City’s housing-related work; and implementing settlement agreements.  

The Division is also responsible for drafting all homelessness and housing-related ordinances.  In addition, the Division provides general municipal law advice, including on the Ralph M. Brown Act, to various City boards, commissions, and committees, such as the Rent Adjustment Commission, City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, and the United to House LA Citizens Oversight Committee.  The Division also provides legal advice to other City departments and elected officials on housing-related matters and special projects, as needed. 

The attorney assigned to this position will handle a variety of advice, transactional matters, and litigation work, as needed.   Such duties may include the handling of complex real estate transactions involving the drafting of documents including, but not limited to loan agreements, disposition and development agreements and ground leases for affordable housing developments; assisting with the enforcement and administration of regulatory agreements and land use covenants; and the handling of overflow assignments for the Division, as needed.

• Minimum of five years of legal practice that includes litigation experience;
• Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California and 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 independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of and working experience with the California Redevelopment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is highly desired.
• Knowledge of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Housing Code.
• Familiarity with Municipal law and California housing laws.

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 of the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney.

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. Successful completion of the two year probationary period will result in tenure with the office.

Classification

For internal applicants only – Placement in this position will initially 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.

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.