Deputy City Attorney II/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.

Attorneys in the Equity and Inclusion Division serve as counsel to various City departments, including the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, the Department of Aging, the Department on Disability, the Youth Development Department, and the Workforce Development Division of the Economic and Workforce Development Department. In addition, the Division advises the City Council’s Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disability Committee, which said departments report to, and numerous Brown Act and other bodies, including the Commission on Civil Rights, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Human Relations Commission, the Innovation and Performance Commission, the Domestic Violence Alliance, and the Workforce Development Board. As they provide general counsel services, Division attorneys also develop expertise responsive to each client’s unique mission to serve some of the City’s most vulnerable communities and address policy issues of Citywide concern. The Division works closely with its assigned City departments, various other departments, and colleagues throughout the Office to help ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws and promote equity and inclusion for all. 

The attorney assigned to this position will serve as general counsel by working closely the Department on Disability and other various City departments to advise on various legal matters, including compliance with Title II requirements for accessibility to government programs, services, and activities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), among other federal and state laws, and related efforts to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in the City of Los Angeles. The assigned attorney will assist as needed with contracts, Public Records Act requests, ordinance drafting, legal research and analysis, and may serve as counsel to the Commission on Disability and other Brown Act bodies.  The assigned attorney may also be required to appear before the City Council and its Committees.  In addition to serving as a subject matter expert and resource on the ADA, the assigned attorney will also assist Division attorneys in advising other client departments, including the Civil, Human Rights and Equity Department and its commissions, and the Department of Aging, and handle other duties as assigned by the Division supervisor. 

Applicants for this position must have a license to practice law in all of the courts in the State of California.  Additional requirements include:

• Experience in one or more of the Division’s subject matter areas;
• Familiarity with the requirements of the Brown Act, California Public Records Act and City Council Committee meetings and advising on legal issues (including Ethics and Conflicts of Interest issues);
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve;
• Demonstrated ability to deal with public officials, agency personnel and members of the public;
• Demonstrated strong research and writing skills in complex areas of the law;
• Ability to work efficiently and make decisions practically and independently; and,
• Strong oral communication skills. 

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in the area of local, state and/or federal anti-discrimination laws;
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
• Knowledge of the City Charter, Brown Act, Public Records Act and conflict of interest laws; 
• Knowledge of the contracting laws and best practices; 
• Experience in drafting local ordinances; 
• Experience providing legal advice to public agencies and/or regulatory agencies, and public officials;
• Admission to the United States District Court for the Central District; 
• Civil litigation experience; and
• Desire to work with a relatively new, fast-paced, and innovative public-facing department.

Requirements for Application 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Candidates are required to submit a writing sample, which may be a recent brief, report, or legal research memo.

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

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.