Assistant City Attorney

The City of Pleasanton is seeking an experienced and collaborative Assistant City Attorney to join its five-person City Attorney’s Office. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned attorney with strong advisory and transactional experience in municipal law. The position offers the chance to work on a wide variety of legal matters that impact the community, from land use and contracts to public safety and public works. Knowledge and experience in land use, zoning, affordable housing, the Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, and housing element laws are highly desirable, as is experience staffing commission meetings.

• A skilled and experienced municipal attorney with a strong advisory and transactional background.
• Knowledgeable in areas such as the Brown Act, Public Records Act, contracts, land use, public works, elections, employment, finance, and public safety.
• A collaborative and approachable professional who values teamwork and open communication.
• An excellent writer and communicator who can convey complex legal concepts clearly and effectively.
• Someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment with a diverse range of legal issues and projects.

• Advise the City Council, City departments, and various boards and commissions on a wide range of legal matters.
• Draft and review legal documents including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, opinions, and correspondence.
• Research and interpret laws, regulations, and court decisions relevant to municipal operations.
• Assist in managing and directing the operations of the City Attorney’s Office.
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints related to City legal matters.
• Prepare reports and written correspondence supporting City policies and decisions.

• Join a collaborative legal team that values professional input and shared problem-solving.
• Engage with a wide variety of complex and meaningful legal issues that impact City operations and the Pleasanton community.
• Enjoy a supportive environment where autonomy and teamwork are both encouraged.
• Contribute to a high-performing organization known for professionalism and community service.

• Navigating complex and evolving legal requirements at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Managing multiple projects and priorities with competing deadlines.
• Balancing the need for practical legal solutions with the complexities of policy and politics.
• Providing timely and sound legal advice on a broad range of subjects with limited precedent.

• Highly collaborative, regularly engaging with colleagues to discuss complex issues and share ideas.
• Approachable and accessible, fostering positive working relationships with City staff, leadership, and the community.
• Ethical and professional, maintaining the highest standards of integrity and judgment in all legal matters.
• Analytical and detail-oriented, capable of interpreting and applying laws and regulations with precision.
• Adaptable, able to manage competing priorities and adjust to evolving legal or organizational needs.
• Proactive, anticipating legal issues and providing sound, practical solutions to help City leaders make informed decisions.

Typical Duties

• Assist the City Attorney in managing and directing the City Attorney’s Office.
• Represent and provide legal advice to the City Council, City departments and various boards and commissions.
• Draft documents, including legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contractual agreements, correspondence, as well as other City documents.
• Understand and interpret laws and regulations (federal, state, and local) and court decisions.
• Respond to complaints or requests for information from general public regarding legal issues.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:
Possess a Juris Doctorate Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or the State Bar of California.

Experience:
Eight years of progressively responsible experience in California Municipal law.

Special Requirements:
Active membership, in good standing, in the State Bar of California.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of California Municipal Law.
• California legal system.
• Recognized legal procedures and practices.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Statutes and court decisions related to public sector law.
• Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Pertinent local, state and federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
• Budgeting procedures and techniques.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment including relevant software programs.
• Oral and written communication skills; business English including vocabulary, spelling, and correct grammatical usage and punctuation.
• Safe work practices.
• Principles and practices of excellent customer service.

• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Conduct civil and other legal actions.
• Perform legal research.
• Draft comprehensive legal documents.
• Provide legal advice and assistance to lay persons.
• Read, write and comprehend the English language at a level necessary for effective job performance exercising correct English usage, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Communicate effectively, tactfully and positively in both oral and written form.
• Operate and use modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
• Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Contribute effectively to the accomplishments of City goals, objectives and activities.

• Assist with organizing and directing the operations of the City Attorney’s Office, ensuring compliance with City policies and procedures, local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• On a continuous basis know and understand requirements and all essential aspects of the job; access, review, analyze and interpret a wide variety of reports, technical data and budget documents; know and understand laws, regulations, rules and codes related to area of assignment; observe performance and review and evaluate staff; problem solve department related issues; remember various processes and requirements; and interpret and communicate policy, information and instructions.
• On a continuous basis, remain stationary at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently move, traverse and position self while performing duties; access equipment surrounding desk; activate, use and operate a computer and other office equipment; use telephone; communicate through written means; and move or transport weight of 10 pounds or less.
• Perform the more complex and difficult professional legal duties of the City Attorney’s Office.
• Organize, interpret, and apply complex legal principles and knowledge of legal problems; analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
• Perform legal work requiring the use of independent judgement.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Interpret and apply City and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Oversee the work of staff including outside legal counsel.

Recruitment Process

Application: To be considered for this position, please submit your application through our online application process at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov. Click on “Job Opportunities”.

SELECTION PLAN
Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the need of the Agency:

123 Main Street, P.O. Box 520

Pleasanton, California, 94566