Closing Date: 27th June, 2026

Description:

Job Summary:
About the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office
The mission of the Santa Monica City Attorney is to do excellent legal work efficiently and cost-effectively. As advisors to City officials and staff, to provide timely and complete assistance. As advocates, to represent the City and its employees vigorously and fairly. As prosecutors, to diligently and justly enforce the law on behalf of the People of California.

Per the Santa Monica City Charter, the City Attorney's Office represents and advises the City Council and all City officials pertaining to their official duties. The City Attorney's Office also prosecutes criminal cases against those accused of committing state and local misdemeanor offenses. The City Attorney's Office also defends the City, City employees, and Councilmembers in civil lawsuits.

The office currently consists of 26 attorneys and 20 administrative professionals and is part of the citywide Realignment Plan that is working to restore Santa Monica to one of the premier destination cities in the region. As part of the Realignment Plan, in October 2025, the City Council adopted recommendations that included a series of new investments and policy actions designed to transition the City from organizational stabilization toward economic revitalization. Since the Plan was adopted more than six months ago, the City has delivered measurable results across its five strategic priorities.

The City Attorney's Office is pleased to be well-positioned to sustain and grow its team in support of the City's evolving needs.

Join the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office as a Deputy in the Municipal Law Division

The Municipal Law Division advises the City Council, the City's Boards and Commissions, and all City Departments on a wide range of municipal law issues, under Federal, State and local laws, including, but not limited to, the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, housing, economic development, land use, real estate, public safety, labor and employment, public contracting, municipal finance, election law, and constitutional issues. The Division is also responsible for drafting resolutions, ordinances, and ballot measures, reviewing and drafting contracts, and drafting legal pleadings and responses.

The Santa Monica City Attorney's Office seeks a thoughtful, collaborative, and public-service-oriented attorney with at least three years' of relevant legal experience to serve as a Deputy City Attorney in the Municipal Division.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills; sound judgment; intellectual curiosity; and the ability to work effectively with elected officials, City staff, public bodies, colleagues, and members of the public. Prior municipal law or public agency experience is preferred, but candidates with relevant experience in litigation, land use, housing, real estate, public contracting, employment law, regulatory compliance, administrative law, or other transferable practice areas are encouraged to apply.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

Providing legal advice and interpretation of laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances to elected officials, city departments, boards, and commissions.
Drafting, reviewing, and approving complex contracts, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other legal documents involving high-value or high-risk municipal interests.
Representing the City in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and negotiations.
Attending meetings of boards, commissions, and committees as may be required; rendering legal advice as requested.
Ensuring strict legal compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations across all municipal operations, including emerging regulatory areas.

The successful applicant will have a combination of required and preferred qualifications.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum of three years' relevant legal experience
High ethical standards, professional integrity, and commitment to public service.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and exercise sound legal and strategic judgment under pressure.
Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and effective reports, letters, agreements, memoranda, and other legal documents.
Creative, strategic, and analytical thinking in legal matters, with a positive problem-solving attitude.
Ability to respond effectively to changing situations and requests, while assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
Ability to build and maintain relationships across all city departments.
Current and active license to practice law in the State of California.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience advising city departments or public agencies.
Experience drafting resolutions, ordinances, and contracts.
Experience staffing boards and commissions.
Knowledge of one or more areas of municipal law, including the Brown Act, Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, election law, conflicts law, administrative law, constitutional law, and land use law.
Trial and appellate experience in state and federal court.
Familiarity with government tort claims, tort law, and employment law.

Division work assignments are subject to change based on the operational needs and workload of the City Attorney's Office overall. The hours of the position are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on alternate Fridays. This is a 9/80 work schedule. Hybrid remote work schedule is currently available but not guaranteed, with a minimum of three days in the office. Evening and weekend duties may be required to attend City Council meetings, Boards/Commission meetings, and other public meetings or events.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample of no more than ten pages, and the names of three references (will not be contacted prior to interview). These materials should be submitted in a single pdf document by email to CAO.Opportunities@santamonica.gov with the subject line: “Application – Deputy City Attorney, Municipal Division.” Candidates must apply by Saturday, June 27, 2026, when consideration of applicants will begin.

A background check will be required prior to beginning employment. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience, and the City offers excellent benefits. The salary range is Deputy City Attorney II from $140,808 to $173,832, Deputy City III $218,124 to $269,292. This position is at will but is part of the Public Attorneys Union. Equal Opportunity Employer. See the EEO Policy on the City Attorney's Office website.