Deputy City Attorney

Summary

Under general direction, to perform professional legal work and legal research; to represent the City and City Attorney's Office on legal assignments; and to do related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the entry and training position in the professional Deputy City Attorney class series. Incumbents are expected to perform professional legal work and research with guidance and supervision from more experienced staff. This class differs from the Senior Deputy City Attorney in that the Senior Deputy City Attorney is the experienced working level with incumbents performing a broader range of legal work under less supervision. Deputy City Attorney incumbents will be expected to increasingly perform more complex work with less guidance. In addition, Deputy City Attorney incumbents will develop special expertise in specific areas of municipal law. It is anticipated that Deputy City Attorney incumbents will devote significant, non-work hours to learning the essentials of municipal law to prepare them for advancement in the profession.

Reports To

City Attorney, Chief Deputy City Attorney, or designee.

Classifications Supervised

This is not a supervisory class.

Representative Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and / or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Performs professional legal assignments and research; receives and reviews legal cases and potential litigation, examining evidence, interviewing witnesses, and performing requisite investigations to determine the proper course of City legal action.
• Authorizes and drafts appropriate legal documents to support legal cases; prepares and conducts trial work, as necessary.
• Appears in court, preparing and presenting cases at preliminary hearings, trials, and legal administrative hearings; analyzes the facts of cases and legal precedents for motions, stipulations, or waivers; confers with judges and / or opposition attorneys regarding modifications to cases; and negotiates case settlements.
• Provides briefings and oral arguments; anticipates and prepares for legal reasoning of opposition attorneys; drafts jury instructions; presents opening statements; interrogates and cross examines witnesses; and argues points of law; presents final arguments and summations.
• Reviews court records, analyzes evidence, and prepares appellate briefs.
• Works with other agencies on cases; may prepare legal opinions for other City staff.
• May serve as legal advisor for assigned City departments, boards, or commissions.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

Education and Experience Guidelines Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be :

Education / Training :

Graduation from a college or law school accredited by the American Bar Association or the California State Bar Association with an advanced degree in law.

Experience :

Some legal experience is desirable.

License or Certificate :

Special Requirements :

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment

Work is performed in an office and / or courtroom environment; occasional work outside as required by research; and frequent contact with other staff and the public.

Physical

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility in an office setting; to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; to hear in the normal range with or without correction; to see in the normal range with or without correction; and verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

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