Deputy Attorney III

There is an immediate opening for a Deputy City Attorney in the Environmental Division of the Real Estate Branch for attorneys with environmental litigation and/or transactional experience with knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), environmental contamination, hazardous waste, hazardous materials assessment and remediation, and the Coastal Act.

As one of several teams within the Real Estate Branch, the Environmental Division handles litigation covering a wide variety of environmental matters, including, but not limited to, CEQA, NEPA, hazardous waste, hazardous materials assessment and remediation, and the Coastal Act. The Division also advises City departments and officials on local, state and federal environmental matters, drafts reports and ordinances, staffs public meetings, and provides Brown Act advice to elected and appointed officials.

The Division negotiates significant environmental litigation and transactional matters, including those related to the transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste, new legislation, regulations or development approvals, environmental matters affecting the acquisition, development, construction, financing, leasing and/or disposition of City property.

• Primary litigation participation and handling of environmental matters within the Division.
• Drafting ordinances and advising City staff, officials, and consultants on environmental and transactional matters.
• Managing CEQA and/or NEPA clearance processes for City projects.
• Overseeing transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
• Addressing environmental matters affecting acquisition, development, construction, financing, leasing, and/or disposition of City property.
• Assisting with new legislation, regulations, or development approvals.
• Collaborating closely with other attorneys and support staff in the Environmental Division.

• Minimum three years of legal practice with demonstrated courtroom and litigation experience.
• Experience with environmental law and a working knowledge of CEQA is highly desired.
• Knowledge of and working experience with state and federal environmental statutes, including CEQA, NEPA, Brown Act, Coastal Act, and CERCLA is highly desired.
• Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
• Strong legal, analytical, written & oral communication, advocacy, and problem‑solving skills; demonstrated ability to work across divisions and departments.
• Experience with hazardous materials and contamination regulations such as NEPA, CERCLA, the Porter‑Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the Clean Air Act, and the California Coastal Act.
• Municipal law experience, including knowledge of the Ralph M. Brown Act and the Public Records Act.
• Working knowledge of state and federal regulating agencies over hazardous materials and contamination, including DTSC and the Los Angeles RWQCP.

• Cover letter, résumé, and two recent personally composed writing samples (one persuasive).
• Position may be assigned at any location within the County of Los Angeles.
• 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 results in tenure.

City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. The position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict‑of‑Interest Code. Interested candidates should apply online at  Qualified applicants will be invited to interview. The position will remain open until filled. Questions? Please email atty.recruit.