Senior Labor & Employment Litigation Attorney

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

10d • $134,933 - $229,386 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Denver City Attorney’s Office seeks a Senior Assistant City Attorney to join its Employment & Labor Law Section. The position provides legal counsel to City officers and employees and represents the City in legal matters before administrative agencies and trial and appellate courts. It may also provide lead work and guidance to junior attorneys. The successful candidate will bring significant litigation experience and a strong background in labor relations, including advising on employment and traditional labor law matters.

Senior attorneys serve as lead counsel on some of the City’s most complex litigation and mentor less experienced attorneys. The role combines litigation and advisory work in a fast-paced, changing environment and involves handling multiple lawsuits and other legal assignments. The attorney also supports the Section’s and City Attorney’s Office’s priorities, including integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies, collaboration, teamwork, and adaptation to organizational and technological change.

The City and County of Denver has more than 11,000 team members. The City Attorney’s Office has over 230 attorneys and staff and serves the Mayor, City Council, elected and appointed officials, City agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and employees. The workplace follows a hybrid model, with employees working at a job site several days a week and off-site as needed. Employees must work within Colorado on off-site days. This is an unlimited position with a target salary of $134,933–$172,000 annually, based on experience and education; the listed position salary range is $134,933–$229,386.

Requirements

• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree.
• At least three years of experience as an attorney at law.
• 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 date of hire under the specified Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
• No substitution of experience for the education requirement is permitted.
• Demonstrated ability to litigate and handle advisory work, work effectively in a team, and communicate and write legal materials effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple lawsuits and varied legal work concurrently, with sound judgment, ethics, fairness, and attention to results.
• Application should include a resume and cover letter; the cover letter should address litigation experience, interest in the position, and suitability for the role.

Nice To Haves

• At least seven years of employment and/or labor law experience.
• Substantial employment-law experience advising on Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, and FLSA matters.
• Experience in public-sector employment.
• Traditional labor experience.
• Civil litigation experience.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent the City and County of Denver as an employer in federal and state courts, administrative hearings, EEOC/CCRD charges, and other forums.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to clients on federal, state, and city laws, rules, and related matters.
• Advise management on wage and hour issues, leave management, disability accommodations, and other workplace issues.
• Review handbooks, policies, and forms for legal compliance.
• Conduct management training on labor relations and federal, state, and local workplace issues, including harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
• Negotiate and prepare settlement agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
• Draft memoranda, motions, briefs, and pleadings for judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.
• Conduct or assist with legal research and support attorneys in specialized areas with litigation, research, and related activities.
• Prepare formal legal opinions on complex matters in specialized legal areas when assigned by the City Attorney.
• Represent management in forming new collective bargaining units in the City.
• Advise City managers and executives on union organizing, campaigns, card checks, and neutrality agreements.
• Handle grievance, arbitration, and unfair labor practice proceedings.
• Negotiate collective bargaining agreements and/or provide legal advice regarding them.
• Serve as lead counsel on complex litigation and mentor less experienced attorneys.
• Support and implement the vision and priorities of the Section and City Attorney’s Office, including integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
• Collaborate with Section leadership and promote teamwork and regular communication among team members, leadership, and clients.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Benefits

• Guaranteed lifelong monthly pension once vested after five years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• 140 hours of PTO earned within the first year.
• 12 paid holidays, one personal holiday, one wellness day, and one volunteer day per year.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within one month of the start date.

What This Job Offers

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