Assistant City Attorney | Environmental, Contracts, and Utilities Section | Civil Division

City of Seattle•Suite 2050 Seattle, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office, a large public law office committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community, is seeking qualified candidates for an Assistant City Attorney position in the Environmental, Contracts, and Utilities Section of the Civil Division. The Civil Division provides legal services across seven practice areas, with the Environmental, Contracts, and Utilities Section focusing on municipal contracts, finance, real estate, utilities, environmental law, and general city business. Attorneys in this section handle legal services from contract procurement to enforcement and litigation. This specific role will primarily advise and represent City departments on capital projects, focusing on disputes, claims, mediation, settlements, and litigation related to City construction projects. The position may also involve managing outside counsel for litigation. The City Attorney’s Office offers a generous benefits program, including paid leave, parental leave, low-cost health benefits, and a defined-benefit retirement program.

Requirements

Two or more years of litigation experience at a law firm or government agency.
Effective legal written and oral communication.
The ability to work effectively with City department representatives and other attorneys.
Ability to handle complex assignments independently and a variety of tasks simultaneously.
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 two months of offer of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in contract and/or property litigation.
Expertise in one or more of the following areas: construction litigation; public works and procurement; utility law; real property litigation; environmental law; and municipal finance.
Municipal law practice experience, or a demonstrated interest in public service and law practice.
Electric, water, or wastewater utility experience.
The ability to think critically, creatively, and strategically under the pressure of tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

Represent the City in litigation stemming from contract and transactional matters, including construction disputes, utility business operations, real property, and property acquisition by eminent domain.
Represent the City in dispute resolution, including mediation and informal settlement of claims stemming from City contracts and complex transactions on projects that may include public works construction, real estate transactions, insurance, procurement of goods and services, environmental law, and other agreements to carry out City business.
Review, negotiate, enforce, and defend such contracts and complex transactions.
Manage outside counsel when applicable.
Identify legal issues that require collaboration with attorneys in other practice areas of the office.
Carry out job duties in a manner that is consistent with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative.