Associate Attorney – Public Law

ATKINSON ANDELSON LOYA RUUD & ROMO APC•Irvine, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR) is seeking an Associate Attorney for its Facilities, Construction & Property Practice Group in the Irvine office. The role offers an opportunity to develop a broad public law practice representing school districts, community college districts, cities, counties, special districts, and other public agencies throughout California. The attorney will work with experienced attorneys and clients on advisory, transactional, administrative, and litigation-related matters affecting public entities. The successful candidate will build experience across public agency governance and board matters; transparency, ethics, and conflicts of interest; public contracting and procurement; facilities, real estate, public works, and construction; commercial and technology contracting; policy development and regulatory compliance; administrative proceedings; litigation support; and general counsel services. This position is suited to an attorney seeking hands-on experience and long-term growth in a collaborative public law practice.

Requirements

Three to five years of experience in public law, municipal law, government law, education law, or a related practice area.
Interest in developing a diverse public agency practice.
Excellent legal research and analytical skills, with the ability to learn new subject matter and provide practical client advice.
Excellent writing skills, including drafting memoranda, correspondence, policies, resolutions, board materials, contracts, and other public agency documents.
Ability to assist with contract review and negotiation, procurement, bid protests, public works issues, and facilities-related projects.
Experience or strong interest in advising public agencies on business operations, commercial transactions, and business-contracting matters.
Ability to assist in administrative proceedings and litigation matters.
Ability to interface professionally and effectively with clients, opposing counsel, consultants, and public officials, using sound judgment.
Willingness to learn multiple areas of public law and develop expertise in issues facing public agencies.
Ability to manage assignments, prioritize competing deadlines, and handle matters with increasing independence under senior attorneys’ guidance.
Willingness to take ownership of projects and develop practical, client-focused solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with or familiarity with the Brown Act, California Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, conflict-of-interest laws, and other laws governing public agencies.
Self-starter with excellent communication and follow-through skills, a strong work ethic, impeccable judgment, attention to detail, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Responsibilities

Advise public agencies on governance and board matters.
Assist with compliance involving the Brown Act, Public Records Act, ethics, conflicts of interest, and governmental transparency.
Assist with public contracting, procurement, bid protests, contract review, and negotiation.
Support facilities and real estate planning and development, public works, and construction-related matters.
Advise public agencies on business operations and commercial contracting, including vendor, technology, software, consulting, and professional services agreements.
Assist with policy development and regulatory compliance.
Support administrative proceedings and litigation, including preparing pleadings, discovery, legal research, and motions.
Draft memoranda, correspondence, policies, resolutions, board materials, contracts, and other public agency documents.
Work effectively with clients, opposing counsel, consultants, and public officials.
Manage assignments and competing deadlines with increasing independence under senior attorneys’ guidance.
Take ownership of projects and develop practical, client-focused solutions.