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:
The General Counsel Division serves as counsel to the City's officers and various departments, including the Mayor, City Council, City Ethics Commission, Animal Services, Cultural Affairs, Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (including the City's Neighborhood Councils), El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument Authority, Information Technology Agency, Library, Public Works, Recreation and Parks, Transportation, and the Zoo.

In serving as general counsel for the City officers and departments, the attorneys in the Division provide oral and written advice on a myriad of issues, such as statutory and Constitutional interpretation and application (e.g., Ralph M. Brown Act, conflict of interest laws, election laws, the Public Records Act, First Amendment issues), and liability assessment and risk management. The attorneys also review, edit, draft and negotiate contracts and other transactional documents, frequently involving highly complex transactions. Further, the Division is responsible for the development and drafting of a majority of the ordinances prepared by the Office and is often required to prepare advisory opinions or legal memoranda on issues of significance to the City leadership. Additionally, the General Counsel Division handles specialized litigation relating to City Departments and City ordinances, open government laws and the federal government's immigration policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Supervising Attorney's duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Report to the head of the General Counsel Division and will supervise the Division's Neighborhood Counsel Advise team;
Oversee the team's oral and written advice on myriad issues, such as statutory and Constitutional interpretation and application (e.g., Ralph M. Brown Act, conflict of interest laws, Neighborhood Council election laws, the Public Records Act, First Amendment issues)'
Advise the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, and the City's Neighborhood Commissioners and may staff the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners at their bi-monthly meetings;
Oversee the drafting of ordinances, opinions and memoranda and approving contracts for the on behalf of the Neighborhood Councils;
Provide advice to the 99 Neighborhood Council boards and to the City Clerk's Neighborhood Council Funding and Elections Divisions; and
Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California;
Minimum ten (10) years of experience in municipal, civil, or criminal law;
Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills;
Demonstrated strong research and writing skills in complex areas of law;
Strong analytical and reasoning skills;
Strong desire to serve the public interest;
Demonstrated ability to handle a busy and varied workload;
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment; and
Ability to work effectively with governmental agencies, public officials, departmental personnel, and members of the public.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience in public contracting, including construction contracting and professional service contracts for public entities;
Civil litigation experience (minimum of two years preferred) and experience in quasi-judicial hearings by public bodies;
Familiarity with administrative proceedings before public agencies;
Experience advising legislative bodies, including knowledge of the California Public Records Act, Brown Act, and conflict of interest laws;
Knowledge of the Los Angeles City Charter and Administrative Code; and
Experience drafting local ordinances.

Requirements for Application

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

Supplemental Information:
Current Location
City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within 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:
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.