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 in the Housing Division in the Real Estate Branch for a Deputy City Attorney to perform real estate development work representing the City as both a landowner and a lender in affordable housing development-related transactions and matters.  
 

As one of several teams in the Real Estate Branch, the Housing Division is primarily responsible for the legal representation of the Los Angeles Housing Department (“LAHD”).  The Housing Division attorneys provide legal counsel to LAHD for a wide variety of programs such as the financing of affordable housing, housing rehabilitation, the enforcement of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, Systematic Code Enforcement Program and other services to ensure safe, decent and affordable housing in the City of Los Angeles. Some of the tasks involve drafting and reviewing a variety of housing-related ordinances and programs including the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance, Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance, Right to Counsel Program Ordinance, Tenant Relocation Benefits and other ordinances related to LAHD programs. Housing Division attorneys also work on affordable housing bond issuances, loan agreements and land use covenants, and loans and services from federally-funded and other publicly-funded housing programs in the City.  The Housing Division also serves as legal counsel to LAHD in the administration and implementation of the City’s Accessible Housing Program.  Attorneys also handle litigation in both State and Federal courts as it relates to the various LAHD programs.

The attorney assigned to this position will advise LAHD on local law, State law, and Federal law, as well as on competitive bidding requirements for affordable housing developments, and Brown Act issues affecting the approval process for such projects.  The attorney will draft procurement and development documents for proposed development projects including, but not limited to, Disposition and Development Agreements, ground leases, land sale agreements, Owner Participation Agreements, regulatory agreements & covenants, loan agreements, deeds, and other real estate documents.  The attorney will work with various City departments, the State, and HUD as it relates to  the housing land development process.  Additionally, the attorney will research and advise on specialized local, State and Federal funding sources.  The attorney may also participate in, manage, or handle, litigation and related tasks in order to defend or preserve the City’s positions in these transactions.

• Minimum three years of legal practice that includes demonstrated courtroom and litigation experience.  Demonstrated working knowledge and experience in real estate law with respect to transactions and civil litigation is highly desired.
• Experience drafting agreements for real estate transactions and affordable housing developments, and experience analyzing real property title documents 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. 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Candidates are required to submit two recent writing samples personally composed.

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

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.