Deputy City Attorney I

City of Torrance•Torrance, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Torrance is seeking a motivated legal professional to serve as a Deputy City Attorney I. Under supervision, the Deputy City Attorney I conducts legal research and analysis, drafts and reviews a variety of legal documents, and provides guidance to City staff and officials. The role also includes prosecuting infractions and misdemeanors, managing civil and administrative cases, and representing the City in hearings and court proceedings. The incumbent collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, supports decision-making through legal analysis, and maintains effective case management practices. The current vacancy is in Criminal Prosecution. The Office of the City Attorney advises and represents the City Council and City Departments on all legal matters in which they are involved, and prosecutes state law misdemeanors and Municipal Code violations that occur within the City of Torrance. To accomplish this goal, the office is organized across three divisions: Criminal Prosecution, Civil Litigation, and General Advice. The current vacant position is in the Criminal Prosecution Division, which prosecutes, on behalf of the People of the State of California, state law misdemeanors that occur with in the City of Torrance. Such crimes typically include domestic violence, driving under the influence, drug possession and theft related violations. In addition, the Division prosecutes violations of the Torrance Municipal Code.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
Active membership in the State Bar of California is required.
Ability to manage a high-volume caseload, prioritize tasks, and meet strict court deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative mindset and professionalism, with the ability to work effectively with law enforcement, court personnel, City staff, and the public.

Nice To Haves

No experience is required.
Prior externship or legal clerking experience is desirable.
Familiarity with the following is desirable; Lexis, Westlaw or other computer-assisted legal research services; Windows; Microsoft Office software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Powerpoint.
Prior Criminal Law externship or legal clerking experience is desirable.
Mock trial or trial advocacy experience is preferred.
Strong analytical and legal reasoning skills with the ability to evaluate evidence, identify key issues, and develop effective prosecution strategies.
Effective oral advocacy and courtroom presence, with the ability to present arguments clearly, confidently, and persuasively.
Excellent written communication skills for drafting pleadings, motions, and legal correspondence with clarity and precision.
Sound judgment and ethical integrity, particularly when making charging decisions and negotiating case resolutions.

Responsibilities

Review police reports, citations, and investigative materials to determine the sufficiency of evidence and appropriate filing of criminal complaints.
Prosecute infractions and misdemeanors, including conducting arraignments, pretrial conferences, motions, trials, and appeals.
Prepare cases for prosecution by interviewing witnesses, evaluating evidence, and developing effective case strategies.
Represent the City of Torrance in court proceedings and collaborate with law enforcement personnel and other justice system partners.
Negotiate case resolutions, including plea agreements, in accordance with applicable laws and City policies.
Maintain accurate case files, manage court calendars, and ensure timely and efficient case processing.
Conducts legal research and analysis.
Drafts and reviews a variety of legal documents.
Provides guidance to City staff and officials.
Manages civil and administrative cases.
Represents the City in hearings and court proceedings.
Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders.
Supports decision-making through legal analysis.
Maintains effective case management practices.