Chief Assistant City Attorney

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.

Description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Managing the legal affairs of the divisions within the Civil Litigation Branch including the direct supervision of the managing attorneys of those units;
• Assisting with establishing office policies and ensuring uniform implementation of the goals, policies, and procedures of the Office;
• Coordinating the daily operations of the Civil Litigation Branch with Branch’s managing attorneys and the Office’s Executive Management to ensure efficiency in operations and flexibility in staffing assignments;
• Advising, as required, on case assessments, and strategic and tactical litigation issues;
• Identifying potential conflicts of interest and/or other ethical issues, and ensuring adherence by all personnel of the Branch to the highest ethical standards;
• Identifying and implementing measures to reduce the Branch’s litigation costs and increase its efficiency;
• Establishing the Civil Litigation Branch staffing priorities, and assisting in the preparation of the annual budget;

• Participating in the Office’s risk management efforts;
• Developing a litigation training program for the staff of the Civil Litigation Branch, in conjunction with the Branch’s managing attorneys and the Office’s training division;
• Oversight of outside counsel;
• Teaching, advising and counseling attorneys and staff regarding their performance; and,
• Conferring with Executive Management to determine recommendations related to personnel actions.

Requirements

• Fifteen (15) years of civil litigation practice in California and federal courts.
• Substantial experience involving leadership and management relating to complex civil litigation, preferably in a government law office.
• Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple matters of significant importance simultaneously, exercise reasoned and deliberate judgment with discretion, and maintain a professional manner and demeanor at all times.

• At least five years in a senior supervisory or executive role.
• Progressively responsible experience managing attorneys and professional staff, including responsibility for performance management, employee development, and personnel matters.
• Experience and ability in dealing with governmental agencies, elected officials, public officials, and individuals.
• Experience preparing budgets.
• Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills.

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

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.