Civil Litigation Assistant Director

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. The Denver City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law firms in Colorado, with over 230 attorneys and staff members comprised of paralegals, victim advocates, and other support and supervisory staff members. It may have the most diverse practice of any law firm in Colorado since Denver is a home rule city and county. Clients include the Mayor, City Council, all other elected and appointed officials, all city agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and employees. The City Attorney's Office is dedicated to providing an equitable, inclusive, and diverse work environment in which every person has the opportunity to achieve the highest professional and personal development and is accorded the highest degree of dignity and respect. The City and County of Denver’s core values are integrity, transparency, collaboration, mutual respect, support, inclusivity, trust, and organizational excellence. The successful candidate for this position must demonstrate these core operating principles and work ethic. The Civil Litigation Section is responsible for handling most tort and civil rights actions brought against the City, its officials, and employees, except for claims and lawsuits involving the Denver International Airport and the Department of Human Services. Attorneys in this Section prepare and defend against civil actions for which governmental immunity is waived under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, including allegations of personal injury, property damage, and dangerous conditions, and civil rights lawsuits brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, the ADA, and the newly enacted Colorado Law Enforcement Integrity Act. Attorneys are also responsible for appeals arising from assigned civil cases in the Colorado Court of Appeals, Colorado Supreme Court, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Collectively, the Section handles approximately 140 lawsuits, including appeals, and over 800 claims annually. This Assistant Director will join the existing Civil Litigation leadership team. The Civil Litigation leadership team consists of the Section Director, two Assistant Directors and a Legal Administrator. An Assistant Director position in the Civil Litigation Section presents a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a leader and manager with extensive litigation experience, who thrives in a fast-paced, constantly changing work environment. You will supervise a team of approximately five litigators. You will serve as lead counsel in the City’s most complex litigation. This role is best described as a “player/coach,” meaning you will both litigate and manage other attorneys who litigate. As such, you should be experienced in civil rights and/or personal injury litigation. You should have a strong interest in litigation and trying cases. You will spend a significant amount of work time strategizing with the attorneys you supervise to produce best possible outcomes in high profile civil litigation involving the City and its employees. The Assistant Director role will be expected to perform and excel in the following areas: Serving as subject matter expert in defending civil rights and personal injury lawsuits on behalf of City agencies and their employees, primarily the Department of Safety and its law enforcement personnel. Ability to supervise and mentor attorneys, including oversight of the defense of cases under each attorney’s control. Trying cases to juries in both state and federal court. Providing day-to-day operational management to the Civil Litigation Section, demonstrating two-way communication regarding important updates among the Section and with the leadership team, driving the strategic vision of the Section and the City Attorney’s Office, and other duties as assigned. Talent management including developing and implementing well thought-out performance standards, resolving team conflict as it arises, and holding employees accountable for meeting performance standards and expectations. We are looking for a true leader who is a self-starter, team-player, is passionate about working in public service, and strives to achieve operational excellence, including defending complicated lawsuits filed against the City and its employees. The right candidate must be outcome- and results-oriented, ethical and fair, have good common sense and sound judgment, be capable of working on and managing several complex and varied lawsuits and/or issues at one time, and demonstrate an ability to develop, lead, manage, and motivate an experienced and dynamic legal team. An interest in continuing to try cases is a must as this Assistant Director will serve as lead litigator defending complex, high-profile civil rights cases.

Requirements

• Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree or Bachelor of Laws Degree.
• Three (3) years of experience of the type and at the level of Assistant City Attorney – Senior with specialized experience in at least one area of 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.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Serving as subject matter expert in defending civil rights and personal injury lawsuits on behalf of City agencies and their employees, primarily the Department of Safety and its law enforcement personnel.
• Ability to supervise and mentor attorneys, including oversight of the defense of cases under each attorney’s control.
• Trying cases to juries in both state and federal court.
• Providing day-to-day operational management to the Civil Litigation Section, demonstrating two-way communication regarding important updates among the Section and with the leadership team, driving the strategic vision of the Section and the City Attorney’s Office, and other duties as assigned.
• Talent management including developing and implementing well thought-out performance standards, resolving team conflict as it arises, and holding employees accountable for meeting performance standards and expectations.

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 and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree