Senior Assistant City Attorney - Employment and Labor Law

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The salary range for this position is $131,770 - $177,890/annually, based on experience and education. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

• 457B Retirement Plan

• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 wellness day and 1 volunteer day per year

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. Employees work where needed, at a job site several days a week and off-site as needed. In this position you can expect to report to the Wellington Webb Building (201 W. Colfax Ave.) on in-office days. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days.

The City Attorney’s Office serves as the chief legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Auditor, City Clerk and Recorder, and all City agencies. Its responsibilities include handling city lawsuits, prosecuting ordinance violations, providing victim support in criminal cases, representing the city in investigations and litigation, advising on contractual and transactional matters, offering regulatory and compliance assistance, addressing employment matters for the city's more than 12,000 workers, and providing guidance on local, state, and federal law.

With a team of over 250 individuals, the City Attorney’s Office is dedicated to protecting resident welfare, enhancing neighborhood quality of life, and responsibly managing taxpayer funds. As advocates for effective governance, transparency, and accountability, the office empowers the city to do its work and prioritizes ethical conduct in all city operations. Whether working with city agencies, engaging community stakeholders, or collaborating with external legal counsel, the office leverages its collective expertise to navigate complex legal challenges and advance key city priorities.

The Denver City Attorney’s Office is seeking a Senior Assistant City Attorney (Labor Relations) to join the Employment & Labor Law Section. This role provides legal counsel to city officers and employees and representation in the defense of legal cases before administrative agencies and trial and appellate courts. The Senior Assistant City Attorney may also provide guidance and mentorship to junior attorneys. We are looking for an experienced attorney with a strong background in labor relations, as well as substantial expertise in employment and traditional labor law matters.

The Employment & Labor Law Section represents Denver, the third largest employer in the State of Colorado, in all employment matters. The attorneys in this section regularly appear in federal and state courts, as well as in administrative hearings and arbitrations.

This Senior Assistant City Attorney position presents a challenging and rewarding opportunity for an attorney with labor relations experience, who thrives in a fast paced, team-oriented and constantly changing environment.

The responsibilities for this particular Senior Assistant City Attorney position include:

• Representing the City and County of Denver as the employer but will also include providing advice and counsel work regarding federal, Colorado and local workplace laws and other assignments, as needed.

• All facets of traditional labor relations, including:

  • Representing management in the formation of new collective bargaining units in the City

  • Providing legal advice to City managers and executives regarding union organizing, campaigns, card checks and neutrality agreements

  • Handling grievance, arbitration and unfair labor practice proceedings; and

  • Negotiating and/or providing legal advice regarding collective bargaining agreements.

• Advising management on federal and state wage and hour issues, leave management, disability accommodations and other workplace issues.

• Reviewing handbooks, policies and forms for legal compliance.

• Conducting management training regarding labor relations, federal, state and local workplace issues, harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

• Negotiating and preparing settlement agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents as necessary.

• Drafting and preparing memoranda, motions, briefs and pleadings to be filed in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.

• Conducting or assisting with legal research.

• Assisting attorneys working in specialized areas with litigation, research and related activities.

• As assigned by the City Attorney, providing City officers and employees with counsel and advice and preparing formal legal opinions on complex matters, in specialized legal areas

• Other related duties as assigned or requested.

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed. However, the allocation of positions will be determined by the amount of time spent in performing the essential duties listed above.

Our ideal candidate, in addition to having the required qualifications as listed below, will have at least seven (7) years of employment and/or labor law experience, including:

• Substantial experience in employment and labor law issues that include advising clients on legal issues involving:

  • Federal and State Labor Laws

  • Title VII

  • FMLA

  • ADA

  • ADEA

  • FLSA

• Experience in public sector preferred

• Strong written and oral advocacy skills

• Traditional labor experience preferred

• Civil litigation experience preferred

• Excellent attention to detail

• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Education requirement: Doctor of Jurisprudence degree or Bachelor of Laws degree.

• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience as an attorney at law.

• Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.

• License/Certifications: Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6.

• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

This posting will accept applications until 11:59 PM on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

Job Profile

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The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

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