Assistant City Attorney

City of Torrance • Torrance, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Torrance is seeking an Assistant City Attorney to perform advanced professional legal work supporting the City Attorney’s Office. This role primarily focuses on civil municipal law, providing legal advisory services, handling related litigation, and managing administrative matters. The Assistant City Attorney will provide legal counsel to City officials and staff, draft and review legal documents, represent the City in civil litigation and administrative proceedings, and assist with the management and operations of the City Attorney’s Office. The position requires extensive knowledge of California municipal law, civil litigation, administrative law, and the legal principles governing local government operations. A thorough understanding of legal research and analysis, public agency governance, land use, public contracting, labor and employment law, ethics, the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, CEQA, and other laws affecting municipalities is essential. Additionally, knowledge of legal office administration, personnel management, and effective supervision principles is required. The Assistant City Attorney will assist in developing legal and operational strategies, managing daily office functions, reviewing budget and financial information, and supporting relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, and key stakeholders. This position is distinguished by the breadth and complexity of its assignments, the expectation of handling sensitive and high-profile matters, and the responsibility for providing practical legal guidance to elected officials, executive leadership, and department managers. While interaction with criminal prosecution functions may occur, the primary focus remains civil municipal law and related legal services.

Requirements

• Graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in civil litigation, municipal law, or related public agency legal work.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Nice To Haves

• Municipal advisory practice.
• Public agency litigation.
• Land use and planning.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Public contracting and procurement.
• Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance.
• Labor and employment law.
• Ethics and conflict-of-interest law.
• Supervision of legal staff or coordination of outside counsel.
• Office leadership or lead attorney responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced professional legal work in support of the City Attorney’s Office.
• Focuses primarily on civil municipal law, legal advisory services, related litigation, and administrative matters.
• Provides legal counsel to City officials and staff.
• Drafts, reviews, and revises legal documents.
• Represents the City in civil litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Assists with the management and operations of the City Attorney’s Office.
• Develops legal and operational strategies.
• Manages daily office functions.
• Reviews budget and financial information.
• Supports relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, and other key stakeholders.
• Handles sensitive and high-profile matters.
• Provides practical legal guidance to elected officials, executive leadership, and department managers.
• Assists with criminal prosecution functions, though the primary focus is civil municipal law.

Benefits

• Ample opportunities for career growth throughout the organization.
• Exceptional employee benefits and perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior