Senior Municipal Labor & Employment Attorney

Final date to receive applications: 11:59PM on Monday, August 31, 2026

Provides a wide range of professional legal services to all City departments, City Council, and various boards and commissions; conducts legal research and prepares opinions, memoranda, contracts, ordinances, and other legal documents; advises City departments, boards, and commissions; and represents the City in a variety of litigation matters.

The ideal candidate is an experienced labor and employment attorney with a strong commitment to public service and a thorough understanding of the legal issues affecting public agencies. They possess exceptional analytical, legal research, writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice to clients in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate has demonstrated experience handling a broad range of labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining, disciplinary actions, workplace investigations, employee grievances, discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour issues, disability accommodation, leave laws, and compliance with federal and state employment statutes. Experience advising public agencies on applicable laws, regulations, and personnel policies is highly desirable.

This is the journey level class in the Attorney series. This class is distinguished from that of Deputy City Attorney I by performance of the full range of professional legal duties, by the greater complexity of the assignments received and by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Appointment to the II level requires that the incumbent perform some of the more difficult and complex professional legal tasks involving a wide variety of municipal legal subjects with only occasional instruction or assistance.

Positions may be filled by advancement from the Deputy City Attorney I level in accordance with City policies and procedures and upon recommendation for advancement from the City Attorney or by recruiting an outside candidate with substantial professional legal experience.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Confers with and advises City departments, boards, and commissions concerning their duties, powers, and functions; performs legal research and prepare written and oral opinions on various legal issues for presentation to the City Council, City departments and various boards and commissions.
• Prepares and drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legally binding documents; reviews such documents and offers opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration by an outside agency.
• Reviews and analyzes court rulings and legislation relative to their effect on municipal government operations; recommends changes in policies and procedures to meet current legal requirements.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City and recommends action to be taken.
• May coordinate with outside legal counsel regarding complex litigation matters.
• Prepares cases for administrative hearings and represents the City in such hearings; represents the City in civil actions brought by or against the City.
• Responds to requests for information, including California Public Records Act requests.
• Represents the City in the community and at professional meetings as required.
• May represent the City Attorney at various City Council, board, and commission meetings and in court when necessary.
• Represents the City with dignity, integrity, and the spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public.
• Fosters an environment that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and collaboration.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, tolerance, and communication.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Link to full job description:
Deputy City Attorney II Job Description

Knowledge of:

• Legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, and administrative law and procedures.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Methods of legal research.
• Statutes and court decisions relating to municipal government operations;
  Public Records Act;
  Brown Act and conflict of interest laws; tort law…