Senior Government Defense Litigation Attorney

City and County of Denver•Denver, CO

2d•$134,933 - $172,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Denver City Attorney’s Office is seeking an Assistant City Attorney-Senior for the Employment & Labor Law Section. This role involves providing legal counsel to City officers and employees and representing them in defense of legal cases before administrative agencies, trial courts, and appellate courts. The position may also involve lead work over junior attorneys. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned attorney with significant litigation experience and expertise in labor relations, advising on employment and traditional labor law matters. This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a senior-level attorney with substantial litigation experience who thrives in a fast-paced, constantly changing work environment, embraces challenges, and enjoys the prospect of creating new law. Senior attorneys are responsible for serving as lead counsel on some of the City’s most complex litigation and mentoring attorneys with less experience.

Requirements

Doctor of Jurisprudence degree or Bachelor of Laws degree.
Three (3) years of experience as an attorney at law.
Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6.
Skilled litigator.
Enjoys a mix of advisory work.
Works well in a team environment.
Strong legal writer with excellent communication skills.
Eager to venture into the city’s new and traditional collective bargaining landscapes.
Passionate about working in public service.
Outcome- and results-oriented.
Ethical and fair.
Good common sense.
Sound judgment.
Capable of working on multiple lawsuits and a variety of other legal work at the same time.
At least seven (7) years of employment and/or labor law experience.
Substantial experience in employment law issues that include advising clients on legal issues involving: Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, FLSA.
Experience in public sector employment.
Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
Excellent attention to detail.
Strong organizational and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

Traditional labor experience preferred.
Civil litigation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Representing the City and County of Denver as the employer in federal and state courts, administrative hearings, EEOC/CCRD charges, and other forums.
Providing advice and counsel to clients regarding federal, state and city laws, rules, etc., and other assignments, as needed.
Advising management on federal and state wage and hour issues, leave management, disability accommodations and other workplace issues.
Reviewing handbooks, policies and forms for legal compliance.
Conducting management training regarding labor relations, federal, state and local workplace issues, harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
Negotiating and preparing settlement agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents as necessary.
Drafting and preparing memoranda, motions, briefs and pleadings to be filed in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.
Conducting or assisting with legal research.
Assisting attorneys working in specialized areas with litigation, research and related activities.
As assigned by the City Attorney, preparing formal legal opinions on complex matters, in specialized legal areas.
Handling all facets of traditional labor relations, including representing management in the formation of new collective bargaining units in the City.
Providing legal advice to City managers and executives regarding union organizing, campaigns, card checks and neutrality agreements.
Handling grievance, arbitration and unfair labor practice proceedings.
Negotiating and/or providing legal advice regarding collective bargaining agreements.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
Supports and implements the vision of the Section and the City Attorney’s Office as a whole, which includes facilitating and promoting integration of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness strategies into work and the work environment.
Ensures appropriate collaboration with Section leadership to achieve section, agency, or Mayoral priorities.
Open to new organizational structures, procedures, technology, and overall change.
Promotes teamwork and encourages regular communication between team members, Section leadership, and clients.

Benefits

Competitive pay
Great benefits
A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
457B Retirement Plan
140 hours of PTO earned within first year
12 paid holidays
1 personal holiday
1 wellness day
1 volunteer day per year
Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date