Position: The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office is looking for a qualified and motivated attorney to join its Government Litigation Team. 

About the Office:The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office is an innovative, nationally-recognized municipal law office working to protect and advance the rights and interests of the City and County of San Francisco and its residents.  With just over 300 talented and dedicated employees, the Office provides exceptional legal services to the City’s Mayor, Board of Supervisors, officials, and departments.  Our work empowers City leaders with effective, responsive, and creative legal solutions and representation so they can deliver critical public services, and our affirmative advocacy enhances the lives and wellbeing of San Francisco’s residents and visitors.

The Office recognizes that diversity in the backgrounds, identities, ideas, and lived experiences of our employees enriches our workplace and enhances our work.  We aspire to recruit, employ, retain, and promote talented individuals representing the full spectrum of our community, and welcome all candidates, including candidates of any race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and age, and candidates with disabilities.  We have a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of people want to come and stay, grow professionally, and find purpose and engagement, and where all employees feel welcomed and respected for their full authentic selves, and valued for their work and contributions to the Office and the City.

To learn more about the City Attorney’s Office please visit: https://www.sfcityattorney.org/

To learn more about the Office’s efforts to provide a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where employees feel they belong and can meaningfully contribute, please click here.

About the Government Litigation Team

The Government Litigation Team is a collaborative and dynamic group of four attorneys, two paralegals, and two legal secretaries.  The Team handles litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts, principally on the defense side.  The Team’s docket is broad, and generally focuses on defending the legality of City ordinances, regulations, and programs and of quasi-judicial decisions made by City administrative agencies challenged through administrative mandamus.  The Team is experienced in litigating issues of federal and state preemption and all manner of federal and state Constitutional claims, focusing particularly on issues of free speech, free exercise and establishment of religion, equal protection, and due process.  The Team also litigates issues arising under California constitutional or statutory provisions limiting the enactment of local taxes and fees, as well as under state and local open meeting and public records laws.  Most of the Team’s cases involve principally legal rather than factual issues.    

Deputy City Attorney Position and Responsibilities:
Attorneys on the Government Litigation Team typically handle their own cases, although a few cases require Team members to work collaboratively with other attorneys on the Team or across the Office. Attorneys on the Team handle all aspects of their cases, including litigation strategy, client communication and coordination, discovery and document review, motion practice, settlement evaluation and negotiation, trial, and appeal. Many of the Team’s cases involve motions for preliminary injunction or other interim relief.

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in California

Desired Qualifications

•  Ability to research, understand, and effectively communicate complex issues of constitutional law.
• Ability to assume responsibility quickly, work both collaboratively and independently, and think deeply and thoroughly about novel substantive and procedural legal issues.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently within often ambitious internal deadlines, and adjust to last minute assignments and workload increases with agility.
• Excellent written and oral communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to vigorously defend complex defensive matters in both state and federal courts.
• Ability to work effectively with paralegals, legal secretaries, and other staff.
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, multi-task, and be curious.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
• Interest and ability to work successfully as part of a team with other attorneys and with clients, including elected officials.
• Five or more years of civil litigation experience, including trial experience.

Salary and Benefits

The Deputy City Attorney position has a 16-step salary scale ranging from $138,710 - $242,996.  The successful applicant is appointed to a salary step based on years of experience as a lawyer.  The City offers robust health, retirement, and other benefits.  For more information please visit: https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview.  Attorneys are represented by the Municipal Attorneys Association.  Information about compensation and benefits can be found here:  8177 Attorney - Classification & Compensation

Application

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to https://us.smrtr.io/5kkv by Friday, September 9, 2022. Applicants who advance in the selection process must submit at least two references and two writing samples.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.