Branch Chief - Criminal

About Us
The Los Angeles City Attorney's office 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 of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and 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, and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment, are key to making a positive impact.

The Chief of the Criminal Branch oversees the operations of all of the divisions and units in the Branch which currently include the Prosecution Division, Filing, Diversion and Compliance Division, Managing Operations Division and the Regulatory Prosecution Division.

At the direction of the City Attorney, the Criminal Branch Chief’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Managing the overall operations of the Branch, including ensuring the appropriate supervision by the Branch’s managing attorneys in the prosecution of cases referred to the Office and managing the approximately [350] employees in the Criminal Branch;
• Interacting directly with Office Executive Management, Division Head Deputies, City leadership and City departments on matters being handled by the Branch;
• Ensuring that the Branch operations are fully compliant with all state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines particularly in the handling of criminal justice information and criminal offender registration information, database access and race-blind filing
• Developing and implementing policies and initiatives that reflect the Office’s goals for its criminal practice, with a strong emphasis on establishing an appropriate balance between traditional prosecutions and neighborhood-based crime control strategies, and alternative diversion and justice reform programs;
• Overseeing and assuring the coordination of programs and completion of goals between all the units in the Branch including participation in criminal justice professional associations, in proposed legislations sponsored by the Office and otherwise through training, technology and communication;
• Mentoring, evaluating, and counseling attorneys and staff on issues impacting their performance;
• Preparing reports, statistics, surveys and budgetary recommendations concerning workload, legislation, personnel, equipment, facilities and/or significant accomplishments;
• Implementing strategies and projects at the direction of the City Attorney;
• Advising the Chief Deputy and the City Attorney of all significant cases, activities and issues;
• Establishing the Branch’s staffing priorities and assisting in the preparation of the annual budget; and
• Collaborating with other units of the Office and other law enforcement agencies to assure ethical, consistent, integrated advice and practices.

•  Licensed to practice law in all courts in the state of California;
• Minimum of 15 years practicing law, preferably with 10 of those years as a prosecutor and 5 years as a supervising/managing attorney;
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills, the ability to prioritize, and the ability to concurrently complete multiple assignments;
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills;
•  Experience in handling personnel matters, hiring and staffing, preferably including unionized employees; and 
• Experience in working cooperatively with law enforcement, community-based organizations, community members, and City agencies.

• Demonstrated analytical skills;
• Ability to deal effectively with public officials, law enforcement and departmental personnel, and members of the public;
• Experience with the Branch’s operations of a prosecutorial office, including administration, criminal filing, pre-trial, jury trials and appeals;
• An understanding of and interest in the development of alternatives to prosecution.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample personally authored in the last two years.

Telework:  This position may qualify for up to 1 day of telework per week.

Current Location:  200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within the City of Los Angeles.

Probation:  External candidates:  Appointment to this exempt position (non Civil-Service) will be subject to a two (2) year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the two (2) 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.

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

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 (213) 978-7160.