Deputy City Attorney I

City of Sacramento • Sacramento, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Advocacy Public Safety Division seeks a motivated entry-level attorney eager to immerse themselves in high-volume courtroom advocacy. The ideal candidate is an aspiring litigator ready to make daily court appearances (4–5 times per week) while refining their persuasive written and oral skills. They will be a collaborative team player who can also manage independent assignments with confidence. While prior legal experience is not required, a foundational understanding of criminal law and procedure is preferred. This role is structured and budgeted strictly as an entry-level position to foster early-career development. As such, candidates with significant prosecutorial or advanced litigation experience may not be the best match for the scope of this role. Under close supervision of a Supervising Deputy City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney and City Attorney, the Deputy City Attorney I provides professional legal services for the City of Sacramento and its boards, commissions, officers, and departments, and performs related work. This is a professional-level classification populated with multiple incumbents assigned to the City Attorney’s Office. In general, the Deputy City Attorney I incumbents' work may involve representing the City in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings including the abatement of city code violations, research, preparation and filing of court documents, appearances before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, and education of City staff. The Deputy City Attorney I is the entry-level to moderately experienced working level of Deputy City Attorney. As experience is gained, employees are expected to develop the capability to perform work with less supervision, and perform at a higher professional level. Incumbents are expected to use sound professional judgment and skill in performing work, which is reviewed and approved by a Supervising Deputy City Attorney, and in some cases, by the Assistant City Attorney or the City Attorney. The Deputy City Attorney I is distinguished from next higher level classification of Deputy City Attorney II in that the Deputy City Attorney I works under closer supervision and on less complex legal problems.

Requirements

• Knowledge of municipal, state, federal and constitutional laws affecting city government.
• Knowledge of methods of legal research.
• Knowledge of court and administrative agency procedures, including pleading requirements and rules of court and evidentiary rules.
• Knowledge of Ethical and other Rules of Professional Conduct that regulate the practice of law.
• Skill in utilizing in a proficient manner available computer equipment and software, and other law office technology to format, prepare and process documents in reasonably efficient manner.
• Skill in automated legal research.
• Ability to acquire within a reasonable time, knowledge of City Code, City ordinances, City Charter; and other laws related to municipal legal affairs.
• Ability to read and comprehend legal documents quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to use sound judgment in providing legal advice.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships.
• Ability to work well under the pressure of a heavy caseload and complete assignments within specified time limits.
• Ability to begin to recognize issues of political sensitivity and notify supervisor of the same.
• Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with City officials, outside agencies and attorneys, and the public.
• Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with other office support and professional staff.
• Ability to draft and present persuasive legal arguments.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to research a variety of technical and legal issues and make recommendations demonstrating the exercise of sound legal advice.
• Ability to apply legal knowledge to varied problems.
• Ability to analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
• Ability to prepare appropriate pleadings and other documents in litigation cases, and represent the City in administrative and judicial proceedings, at the trial and appellate level.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to provide general direction to support staff.
• Ability to demonstrate skill in learning to understand varied non-legal subjects, in analyzing non-legal problems, and in relating non-legal subjects and problems to applicable law.
• Ability to undertake and complete assigned projects on own initiative with supervision and direction.
• Ability to inspire and impart confidence and trust.
• General knowledge of the practice of law to moderate knowledge and experience in municipal law.
• LLB, JD or other equivalent law degree which entitles a candidate to sit for the California Bar Examination.
• Member in good standing with the California State Bar Association with no record of practice related discipline.
• No felony convictions and be of moral character.
• Qualified to practice law before all courts in California and relevant Federal Courts, including the Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme.

Nice To Haves

• Foundational understanding of criminal law and procedure is preferred.
• Candidates with significant prosecutorial or advanced litigation experience may not be the best match for the scope of this role.

Responsibilities

• Performs legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City of Sacramento, and its boards, commissions, offices, and departments.
• Prepares and offers advice on ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and other legal documents; reviews documents and offers advice as to the legal acceptability of such documents.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City; gives advice on action to be taken; prepares cases for hearings; represents the City in such hearings.
• Handles civil law problems, including the preparation of cases for trial.
• Provides legal advice on City policies and procedures.
• Initiates and defends cases involving the City, prepares the required pleadings; may serve as trial counsel for the City before County, State and Federal courts at all levels.
• Initiates and defends cases involving the City, prepares the required pleadings; serves as a trial counsel for the City before State and Federal courts at all levels.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by a Supervising Deputy City Attorney, the City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney.

What This Job Offers

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