Deputy City Attorney IV

The Position

CITY OF OAKLAND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY IV
GENERAL AND COMPLEX LITIGATION DIVISION

Recruitment is being conducted by the Office of the City Attorney.

Salary: $178,073.40 - $218,621.88 annually
Benefits: Health, dental, vision, retirement, potential telecommuting opportunities and other competitive benefits
Location: Oakland, CA (presently a hybrid work schedule)
Recruitment Opens: October 8, 2024
Deadline to Apply: Open until filled

The Office of the City Attorney seeks a well-qualified individual for a Deputy City Attorney IV position in the General and Complex Litigation Division of the Office of the City Attorney. Significant litigation experience including writ and appellate experience is desirable for this position.

The majority of lawsuits filed against the City involve tort cases and this position will handle a significant menu of such cases as well as other cases, including but not limited to breach of contract, inverse condemnation, and civil rights. The City Attorney has sole and absolute discretion to assign the selected attorney to new, additional or different duties or practice areas in litigation, administrative proceedings or transactional work.

The City Attorney’s Office represents the City in legal matters pertaining to the City of Oakland. These matters include, but are not limited to, providing advice to clients, handling writ proceedings and handling litigation and appellate matters.

This position is represented by International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 21. Incumbents may receive general supervision from a Deputy City Attorney V, Special Counsel, Chief Assistant City Attorney or the City Attorney.

Examples of Duties

Typical duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performing legal research, interpreting and applying laws and court decisions.
• Handling matters pertaining to writs.
• Appearing in court to present, argue and try cases.
• Preparing pleadings and other papers in connection with trials, hearings, discovery and other legal proceedings.
• Reviewing and evaluating case files and making decisions regarding proper disposition.
• Studying, interpreting and applying laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions and briefs.
• Performing relevant legal research.
• Overseeing outside counsel.
• Skillfully and professionally presenting legal advice to attorneys and lay people and defending legal analyses.
• Inspiring confidence and respect for legal advice.
• Interacting with other in-house attorneys as part of a team and occasionally as team leader to provide the best product for clients of the City Attorney’s Office.
• Providing legal advice to City departments.
• Making presentations to the City Council in open or closed session.

Minimum Requirements for Application

Any combination of experience and education that likely would provide the required knowledge and abilities will qualify an applicant for the position. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience

• Five years of increasingly responsible work experience comparable to a Deputy City Attorney III position in the City of Oakland.

Education

• Graduate of accredited school of law.

License or Certificate

• A member in good standing of the California State Bar.
• Incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to assignments and hours or work, public transportation may not be an efficient method for traveling to required locations. Selected individuals will be required to maintain a valid California Driver’s License during City employment or demonstrate the ability to travel to required locations in a timely manner.

Desirable Skills

• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin.
• Working knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws, ordinances and codes affecting City government.
• Working knowledge of local court rules and procedures.

Ability to

• Interpret and apply various government codes and ordinances.
• Conduct research on legal problems; prepare sound legal opinions.
• Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
• Present cases in court and administrative proceedings.
• Handle stressful or sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form with City officials, representatives of outside agencies and the public.
• Complete varied assignments within a narrow time frame.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Inspire confidence and respect for legal advice.
• Skillfully and professionally present legal advice to clients including the elected and high-level appointed officials.
• Interact with other in-house attorneys as part of a team, and occasionally as team leader, to provide the best product to clients of the City Attorney’s Office.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter and resume by email to: jobs@oaklandcityattorney.org

Candidates selected to proceed in the hiring process may be asked to submit additional information (e.g., a writing sample, references, answers to supplemental questions, the formal City of Oakland employment application).

This job announcement and additional employment information including the application form is available on-line at: http://www.oaklandcityattorney.org/

Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled

The City of Oakland is an Equal Opportunity / ADA employer

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

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• City of Oakland

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