Description:
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 of Los Angeles (“City”) with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform to 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, service and accountability, 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:
The Crimes Against Children (CAC) Unit is a specialized vertical prosecution unit, working in connection with coordinated multidisciplinary teams across the City to provide comprehensive filing review and prosecution of crimes committed against children, including child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, internet-facilitated crimes against children, human trafficking of minors, and significant child physical abuse. Through a vertical prosecution model, the CAC Unit provides continuity of case handling for 100% of child sex abuse cases referred to the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney from filing through disposition, ensuring a coordinated, trauma-informed, and victim-centered response to child victimization. The Unit strengthens collaboration with law enforcement, child welfare agencies, medical providers, schools, and community-based partners to improve investigations, enhance victim safety, and promote offender accountability. In addition to prosecuting cases, the CAC Unit serves as a center of excellence for training, prevention, policy development, legislative advocacy, and implementing best practices in investigating and prosecuting crimes against children.
The CAC Unit is a trial unit consisting of four trial attorneys and one filing/law and motion attorney. Based on operational need, a CAC attorney may be asked to provide assistance and coverage to other Criminal Branch Divisions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Reviewing referrals of CAC cases
- Forensic interview observation along with MDT participation
- Filing and vertical prosecution of cases
- Drafting and arguing pre-trial and post-trial motions
- Establishing rapport with minor victims following best practice guidelines of the CAC unit
- Victim and witness coordination with advocates from MDT partners and support staff
- Weekly report updates on significant cases for upper management
- Establish working relationships with detectives, officers, social workers and other partners working on CAC cases in each Bureau
- Attend ongoing training through conferences, summits, unit trainings, and off-site trainings
- Provide minimal-fact training for LAPD (will be divided up amongst deputies in the unit)
Rotation
Deputy City Attorneys selected for these positions may be rotated to other assignments based on operational needs, generally after two to three years. This is intended to provide additional Deputies with opportunities to gain experience in the vertical prosecution of CAC cases.
Requirements:
- Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California.
- Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
- 3 years of prosecution experience
- California Drivers License in good standing and the ability to make court appearances and meet with victims and witnesses throughout the City and County of Los Angeles.
Desired Qualifications:
Candidates with significant jury trial experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional preferred qualifications include:
- A broad knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
- Experience prosecuting child sexual abuse and cases involving child victims or witnesses
- Experience with filing procedures, arguing bail, and using the eSCARS system.
- Experience watching forensic interviews and participating in a MDT format.
- Training in the area of child sexual abuse and exploitation cases.
- Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to effectively engage in oral advocacy.
- Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with a wide variety of members of the public, law enforcement, social workers, schools, multidisciplinary teams, and the court system with tact, sensitivity, and good judgment.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Familiarity with electronic databases and the electronic and digital presentation of evidence.
- Ability to assist in the preparation of reports, memoranda and legal research.
- Strong ethics and a desire to do justice.
- Cover Letter, which should include a brief summary of relevant experience, including all pertinent training conducted and received
- Resume
- Two writing samples that they personally have authored in the last two years.
Supplemental Information:
Current Location
City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles or 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 160, Van Nuys. Position is subject to assignment at any location of the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, and may be required to attend proceedings at courthouses and locations across Los Angeles County.
Work Location and Parking
This position requires regular onsite work. Employer-provided parking is limited and may not be available for this classification. Employees may be responsible for securing and paying for parking at nearby facilities. Applicants are encouraged to review available commute and transportation resources through the City's COMMUTEwell program. For more information, please visit: https://lacommutewell.com.
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. Successful completion of the two-year probationary period will result in tenure with the office.
Annual Salary Range
Deputy City Attorney I: $113,796 - $166,413
Deputy City Attorney II: $135,636 - $198,297
Deputy City Attorney III: $175,642 - $256,803
Classification:
Current employees selected for this assignment will be placed through a lateral transfer and retain their current classification, unless otherwise determined by the City Attorney in the exercise of the appointing authority.
Retirement Benefits
Employees participate in the Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System (LACERS), which includes mandatory employee pension contributions through payroll deduction. The City also contributes toward the employee's retirement benefit. Contribution rates are established by the applicable retirement system and may vary based on employee classification, membership status, and other factors. For more information, please visit: https://www.lacers.org.
Application and Deadline
Interested candidates should go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacityattorney/ to apply online.
Conflict-of-Interest
This position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict-of-Interest Code.
Contact:
Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org.
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.