Assistant City Attorney | Torts Section | Civil Division
About The Position
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office, one of the largest law offices in Seattle and the third largest public law office in the state, is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. The Torts Section of the Civil Division is seeking an Assistant City Attorney to represent the City in personal injury, property damage, and other matters. This litigation position provides legal representation and advice, working collaboratively to offer excellent quality and cost-effective legal services. The Torts Section handles a broad range of litigation, from arbitrations to complex multi-party lawsuits and appellate matters, including cases related to road design, protests, roadway defects, automobile and bicycle accidents, falls, sewage backups, fallen power lines, stormwater drainage, timber trespass, construction, and ADA compliance. The hired attorney will manage all aspects of litigation, including pre-filing advice, discovery, depositions, motions practice, trial, appeals, and settlement discussions. Attorneys in this section typically manage a varied caseload, working both independently and collaboratively. While primarily defending the City, representation in plaintiffs' litigation for select property damage cases may also occur. Torts Section attorneys regularly advise City departments on risk management and avoidance for programs, projects, and policies, and consult with the City's Risk Management division on pre-litigation claims. The Torts Section currently comprises nine attorneys, two paralegals, and two legal assistants.
Requirements
- Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
- Capability to handle complex assignments independently and a wide variety of tasks simultaneously
- Litigation experience with the demonstrated ability to take on a lead role on cases shortly after joining the office
- Experience with personal injury litigation, property damage litigation, the Washington Civil Rules, or electronic discovery
- Prior work preparing expert and lay witnesses for deposition and trial
- Prior civil motions practice or trial experience
- The willingness to work collaboratively with a team to find creative solutions
- Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or licensure in another state, with the ability to complete the process of obtaining membership within 2 months of the offer of employment
Responsibilities
- Defending the City in civil litigation, including trials
- Advising City departments regarding risk-related issues
- Investigating claims and analyzing liability
- Taking and defending depositions
- Legal research regarding a wide variety of topics, including torts, municipal law, premises liability, civil rights, and other matters
- Advising clients
- Collaborating with colleagues in the CAO
- Identifying and working with needed experts
- Case valuation, including review of medical records
- Developing expertise in new and developing areas of the law
- Participation in the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism and race-based disparities in City government
Benefits
- Low-cost health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid leave
- Paid parental and family leave
- Opportunity to participate in a defined-benefit retirement program
- Vacation
- 12 official holidays
- 2 floating holidays
- Sick leave
- Vision insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Executive leave
- Eligibility for merit leave
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
