Litigation Assistant City Attorney I II III

First review of applications will be Monday, December 9, 2024, and weekly thereafter.

There current vacancy for the Litigation Team Assignment will be filled at either the Assistant City Attorney I, II, or III level.  

These classifications have been designated as non-classified, non-merit system, at-will positions.  

Assistant City Attorney III ($117,126.46 - $166,968.88 annually)

An Assistant City Attorney III assigned to the Litigation Team provides advanced legal services to the City Council and management; plans, investigates, and tries major cases and appeals; and performs difficult professional and administrative legal work including major tort litigation.  Employees in this class also provide legal advice to clients on major departmental issues and projects to assist the decision makers with the legal implications of their decisions and to assist the departments in meeting their goals.  Assistant City Attorney IIIs perform work with independent judgment and discretion.  Employees are expected to assist in a variety of areas as supervision deems necessary.  Responsibilities also include preparing and trying cases involving jury trials and attending meetings of departmental officials, employees, and advisory boards to advise on legal questions.

Attorneys assigned to Civil Litigation Defense must have the ability to handle all aspects of a civil defense litigation practice which include discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trials.  This assignment requires an in-depth understanding of federal and state law defenses for federal and state claims; in-depth knowledge about federal and state rules of civil procedures; and the ability to conduct jury trials and appeals in federal and state court.  This assignment requires excellent writing and legal research skills.  This class is also responsible for performing related duties as required.  General direction is received from a Deputy City Attorney who reviews work through reports and an evaluation of overall results achieved.  This class is FLSA exempt-professional.

Assistant City Attorney II ($106,259.71 - $151,478.50 annually) 

An Assistant City Attorney II assigned to the Litigation Team provides mid-level legal services to the City Council and management; plans, investigates, and tries major cases and appeals; and performs professional and administrative legal work including major tort litigation.  Employees in this class also provide legal advice to clients on departmental issues and projects to assist the decision makers with the legal implications of their decisions and to assist the departments in meeting their goals.  Assistant City Attorney IIs perform work with independent judgment and discretion.  Employees are expected to assist in a variety of areas as supervision deems necessary.  Responsibilities also include preparing and trying cases involving jury trials and attending meetings of departmental officials, employees, and advisory boards to advise on legal questions.  
 
Attorneys assigned to Civil Litigation Defense must have the ability to handle all aspects of a civil defense litigation practice which include discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trials; an understanding of federal and state law defenses for federal and state claims; knowledge about federal and state rules of civil procedures; the ability to conduct jury trials in federal and state court (initially with the assistance of an experienced attorney with progression to handling trials independently); and excellent writing and legal research skills.  This class is also responsible for performing related duties as required.  In addition, employees in this class may progress by noncompetitive promotion to Assistant City Attorney III upon meeting the specific criteria-based promotion requirements of experience and performance.  Work requires considerable exercise of initiative and independent judgment, and general direction is received from a Deputy City Attorney who reviews work through reports and an evaluation of overall results achieved.  This class is FLSA exempt-professional.

Employee Values:  All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Assistant City Attorney III:

Minimum Qualifications Required.  Graduation from a school of law, accredited by the American Bar Association, with a Juris Doctor Degree.  At least four years of experience in the practice of law.  

Special Requirements.  Active membership in the Arizona State Bar Association at time of higher.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.  Experience in municipal or public law is highly desirable.  For the Civil Litigation Defense Assignment, litigation defense work experience is preferred.

Assistant City Attorney II:

Minimum Qualifications Required.  Graduation from a school of law, accredited by the American Bar Association, with a Juris Doctor Degree.  At least two years of experience in the practice of law.

Special Requirement.  Active membership in the Arizona State Bar Association at time of higher.

Preferred/Desirable Qualification.  Experience in municipal or public law is highly desirable.  For the Civil Litigation Defense Assignment, experience in municipal or public litigation defense work is preferred.

Assistant City Attorney III: http://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs5714.pdf

Assistant City Attorney II: http://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs5609.pdf

Assistant City Attorney I: 
https://apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs5238.pdf