Description

The Anaheim City Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced litigation attorney with knowledge of municipal law to fill the position of Deputy City Attorney III or IV. The successful candidate will represent the City in civil litigation, administrative hearings, arbitrations, and appeals, primarily in the areas of municipal law, tort liability, civil rights and employment law.

Candidates must have a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and be in good standing with the State Bar of California. Experience with an electronic case management system(s) is also highly desired.

Note: The City of Anaheim reserves the option to hire at either Deputy City Attorney III or IV level based on the candidate’s qualifications and the selection process.

Essential Functions

The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

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  Represent the City in litigation and other legal proceedings brought by or against the City, including matters involving municipal law, tort liability, contracts, construction, civil rights, environmental law, employment law, land use, and writ of mandate actions, among others.
• Minimize the City’s liability and exposure by conducting timely risk assessments and proactively notifying the client/department so that effective remedial measures can be implemented.
• Work collaboratively across departments and represent the City in the most sensitive and complex litigation matters.
• Conduct legal research, interpret and apply statutes, regulations, codes, and court decisions.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings, maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of municipal law, and incorporate new developments as appropriate.
• Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

Experience and Education:

Deputy City Attorney III: Four years of increasingly responsible litigation experience and an additional two years of journey-level litigation experience.

Deputy City Attorney IV: Six years of increasingly responsible litigation experience and an additional two years of journey-level litigation experience.

License/Certification Required: Membership in the State Bar of California and license to practice in the federal courts. Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.

Knowledge of:

• General Municipal law, the California Tort Claims Act, Civil Rights and Constitutional law as applied to government actors (particularly 42 U.S. Code section 1983 and the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Ralph M. Brown Act, the California Public Records Act, and the California Environmental Quality Act.
• Municipal, state, and federal laws, ordinances and codes affecting City government.
• Legal research methods and local court rules and procedures.
• The California Code of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and law and motion and discovery rules and practices in federal and state court.
• Public contact and community relations.

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  Effectively communicate one-on one, in judicial and administrative proceedings, and in public meetings that require clear, concise, and objective responses to complex legal questions.
• Creatively and efficiently research and analyze complex legal issues.
• Prepare organized, persuasive, and nuanced legal opinions and briefs.
• Work independently in investigating facts, researching legal precedents, defining legal and factual issues, drafting necessary legal documents and developing conclusions and recommendations.
• Personally and individually handle a case from start to finish, including at trial.
• Proactively assess legal risks and develop and employ a strategic approach to litigation.
• Work closely with department heads and City staff to examine potential legal impacts and risks, including operational and financial impacts.
• Maintain very high ethical standards.
• Navigate California's local government political/financial/legal landscape.
• Work as a member of a team and devise collaborative solutions to issues and problems.
• Meet deadlines and work in a challenging and fast-paced legal environment.

Supplemental Information

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is on Friday, June 16, 2023 at 5:00PM . Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

The selection process will consist of a minimum of a skills examination and oral interview.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional vacancies throughout the City, including part time vacancies.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a reference / background check (to include a conviction record) and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening). The City of Anaheim utilizes E-Verify and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

The City of Anaheim offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

To view the current benefits summary, visit: https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/30970/Benefits-Summary-Full-Time

For additional information about the City's benefits, visit: www.myanaheimbenefits.com

RETIREMENT BENEFITS – The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

Note: Pension contribution limitations are set by CalPERS each calendar year, with compensation limit requirements for Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) members and Classic members. Employee contributions will be deposited into a 401(a) account after reaching this limit. Employees with CalPERS membership dates prior to July 1, 1996 are not impacted by these limits.

To view the current limits and additional CalPERS information, visit:
https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/4783/CalPERS-Rates