Senior Assistant City Attorney - Employment and Labor Law

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Denver City Attorney’s Office is seeking a Senior Assistant City Attorney (Labor Relations) to join the Employment & Labor Law Section. This role provides legal counsel to city officers and employees and representation in the defense of legal cases before administrative agencies and trial and appellate courts. The Senior Assistant City Attorney may also provide guidance and mentorship to junior attorneys. We are looking for an experienced attorney with a strong background in labor relations, as well as substantial expertise in employment and traditional labor law matters. The Employment & Labor Law Section represents Denver, the third largest employer in the State of Colorado, in all employment matters. The attorneys in this section regularly appear in federal and state courts, as well as in administrative hearings and arbitrations. This Senior Assistant City Attorney position presents a challenging and rewarding opportunity for an attorney with labor relations experience, who thrives in a fast paced, team-oriented and constantly changing environment.

Requirements

• At least seven (7) years of employment and/or labor law experience, including: Substantial experience in employment and labor law issues that include advising clients on legal issues involving: Federal and State Labor Laws Title VII FMLA ADA ADEA FLSA
• Experience in public sector preferred
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills
• Traditional labor experience preferred
• Civil litigation experience preferred
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Education requirement: Doctor of Jurisprudence degree or Bachelor of Laws degree.
• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience as an attorney at law.
• No substitution of experience for education is permitted.
• 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.
• Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in public sector preferred
• Traditional labor experience preferred
• Civil litigation experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Representing the City and County of Denver as the employer but will also include providing advice and counsel work regarding federal, Colorado and local workplace laws and other assignments, as needed.
• All facets of traditional labor relations, including: Representing management in the formation of new collective bargaining units in the City
• Providing legal advice to City managers and executives regarding union organizing, campaigns, card checks and neutrality agreements
• Handling grievance, arbitration and unfair labor practice proceedings
• Negotiating and/or providing legal advice regarding collective bargaining agreements.
• Advising management on federal and state wage and hour issues, leave management, disability accommodations and other workplace issues.
• Reviewing handbooks, policies and forms for legal compliance.
• Conducting management training regarding labor relations, federal, state and local workplace issues, harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
• Negotiating and preparing settlement agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents as necessary.
• Drafting and preparing memoranda, motions, briefs and pleadings to be filed in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.
• Conducting or assisting with legal research.
• Assisting attorneys working in specialized areas with litigation, research and related activities.
• As assigned by the City Attorney, providing City officers and employees with counsel and advice and preparing formal legal opinions on complex matters, in specialized legal areas
• Other related duties as assigned or requested.

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: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree