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, 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 (https://cityattorney.lacity.gov/about#theoffice) is key to making a positive impact.
Description:
Attorneys in the Equity & Inclusion Division serve as general counsel to various City departments, including the Community Investment Department, the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, and the Department on Disability. In addition, the Division advises the City Council's Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disability Committee, and numerous Brown Act and other bodies, including the Commission on Civil Rights, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Human Relations Commission, the Domestic Violence Alliance, and the Workforce Development Board. As they provide general counsel services, Division attorneys also develop expertise responsive to each client's unique mission to serve some of the City's most vulnerable communities and address policy issues of related to discrimination, disability rights and economic and workforce development. The Division, which includes the Office's Equity Officer, works closely with its assigned City departments, various other departments, and colleagues throughout the Office, including the Office's Equity Panel, to help ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws and promote equity and inclusion for all.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The attorney assigned to this position will work closely with, but not exclusively for, the Community Investment Department, with a focus advising the department on the five-year Consolidated Plan and legal work related to the four federal grants received each year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which are the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). This work includes advice and transaction support related to the department's administration and management of more than $300 million in grants for programs that invest in strengthening families and communities, ending generational poverty, and creating community wealth. The assigned attorney will also be expected to staff and provide counsel during public meetings subject to the Brown Act and may also be required to appear before the City Council and oversight committees. The assigned attorney will also assist the Division in ensuring that contracts and RFPs are legally compliant and conform to best contracting practices and assist other Division attorneys in advising the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department regarding its commissions, programs and initiatives, along with other duties assigned by the Division supervisor.
Requirements:
Applicants for this position must have a license to practice law in all of the courts in the State of California. Additional requirements include:
- Minimum five years of experience in the practice of law;
- Minimum three years of experience with federal grant programs, contracting, and compliance;
- Familiarity with the requirements of the Brown Act, California Public Records Act,
- Familiarity with public contracting laws and contracting best practices;
- Demonstrated ability to problem solve;
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with colleagues and public officials;
- Excellent research and writing skills in complex areas of the law;
- Ability to work efficiently and make decisions practically and independently;
- Strong oral communication skills; and
- Strong analytical and reasoning abilities.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience providing legal advice to public agencies and/or regulatory agencies, and public officials;
- Specific experience with HUD grantmaking practices, as well as CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA grants;
- Experience in drafting local ordinances; and
- Desire to work with a relatively new, fast-paced, and innovative public-facing division.
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Candidates are required to submit two writing samples, which may include a recent brief, report, or legal research memo.
Supplemental Information:
Current Location
City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location of the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney.
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.
Classification:
For internal applicants only – Placement in this position will initially be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification.
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. (https://ethics.lacity.gov/coicodes-2/)
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.