Deputy City Attorney IV - General and Complex Litigation Division

City of Oakland Employment Opportunity

Deputy City Attorney IV

General and Complex Litigation Division

Salary Range:

Deputy City Attorney IV: $178,073.40 - $218,621.88 annually

Benefits: Health, dental, vision, retirement, potential telecommuting opportunities and other competitive benefits

Location: Oakland, CA (presently a hybrid work schedule)

Recruitment Opens: October 1, 2024

Deadline to Apply: Open until filled

THE POSITION

The Office of the City Attorney seeks a well-qualified individual for a Deputy City Attorney IV position in the General and Complex Litigation Division of the Office of the City Attorney. Significant litigation experience including writ and appellate experience is desirable for this position.

The majority of lawsuits filed against the City involve tort cases and this position will handle a significant menu of such cases as well as other cases, including but not limited to breach of contract, inverse condemnation, and civil rights. The City Attorney has sole and absolute discretion to assign the selected attorney to new, additional or different duties or practice areas in litigation, administrative proceedings or transactional work.

The City Attorney’s Office represents the City in legal matters pertaining to the City of Oakland. These matters include, but are not limited to, providing advice to clients, handling writ proceedings and handling litigation and appellate matters.

This position is represented by International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 21.

Incumbents may receive general supervision from a Deputy City Attorney V, Special Counsel, Chief Assistant City Attorney or the City Attorney.

Typical duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performing legal research, interpreting and applying laws and court decisions
• Handling matters pertaining to writs
• Appearing in court to present, argue and try cases
• Preparing pleadings and other papers in connection with trials, hearings, discovery and other legal proceedings
• Reviewing and evaluating case files and making decisions regarding proper disposition
• Studying, interpreting and applying laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions and briefs
• Performing relevant legal research
• Overseeing outside counsel
• Skillfully and professionally presenting legal advice to attorneys and lay people and defending legal analyses
• Inspiring confidence and respect for legal advice
• Interacting with other in-house attorneys as part of a team and occasionally as team leader to provide the best product for clients of the City Attorney’s Office
• Providing legal advice to City departments
• Making presentations to the City Council in open or closed session

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION

Any combination of experience and education that likely would provide the required knowledge and abilities will qualify an applicant for the position. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• DCA IV position: Five years of increasingly responsible work experience comparable to a Deputy City Attorney III position in the City of Oakland.

Education:

• Graduate of accredited school of law.

License or Certificate

• A member in good standing of the California State Bar
• Incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties.

Due to assignments and hours or work, public transportation may not be an efficient method for traveling to required locations. Selected individuals will be required to maintain a valid California Driver’s License during City employment or demonstrate the ability to travel to required locations in a timely manner.

Desirable Skills

• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin
• Working knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws, ordinances and codes affecting City government
• Working knowledge of local court rules and procedures

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply various government codes and ordinances
• Conduct research on legal problems; prepare sound legal opinions
• Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents
• Present cases in court and administrative proceedings
• Handle stressful or sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form with City officials, representatives of outside agencies and the public
• Complete varied assignments within a narrow time frame
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties
• Inspire confidence and respect for legal advice
• Skillfully and professionally present legal advice to clients including the elected and high-level appointed officials
• Interact with other in-house attorneys as part of a team, and occasionally as team leader, to provide the best product to clients of the City Attorney’s Office

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter and current résumé by email to:

Attention: jobs [at] oaklandcityattorney [dot] org

Candidates selected to proceed in the hiring process may be asked to submit additional information (e.g., a writing sample, references, answers to supplemental questions, the formal City of Oakland employment application).

This job announcement and additional employment information including the application form is available on-line at: www.oaklandcityattorney.org

Celebrating and Recognizing the Power and Benefits of Diversity

The Oakland City Attorney’s Office continues to be one of the most diverse legal teams in our country. We are proud of and value our diversity in all arenas, including but not limited to age, gender, race, sexual orientation and disability status. Diversity improves and informs our advice and legal counsel and enhances the public services we provide to the residents of one of the most diverse cities in America by providing a broad range of points of view, perspectives, insight and strategies.

Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled

The City of Oakland is an Equal Opportunity / ADA employer