job openings

The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the Office provides the City of Los Angeles (“City”) with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform to advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California.

Guided by an overarching commitment to integrity, service and accountability, we find great meaning in the work we do and the services we provide. We seek collaborative team players who understand that fulfilling our mission is key to making a positive impact.

The Public Rights Branch pursues civil enforcement matters, including complex, high impact matters, focusing on a variety of areas including unfair business and housing practices, wage theft, environmental protection, consumer

protection, nuisance abatement and cannabis regulation. The Branch uses a variety of statutory authorities, including the Unfair Competition Law, the False Advertising Law, the Public Nuisance Law and various Health & Safety Code regulations. The Branch also pursues False Claims Act and other civil claims, and engages in debt collection for the City.

The Legal Secretary will work with Branch attorneys under the general supervision of the Support Staff Supervisor. The responsibilities of this position include:

• Preparing pleadings for filing, including tables of contents and authorities;

• E-filing for state and federal courts;

• Preparing motions, discovery and trial documents, including trial notebooks and exhibit binders;

• Redacting and bates-stamping documents using Adobe Pro;

• Maintaining and calculating calendar deadlines and due dates;

• Reserving in-person and virtual court hearings; setting up in-person and virtual depositions and meetings;

• Scheduling court reporters and reserving conference rooms;

• Maintaining the Office’s case file management program CityLaw, which includes preparation and processing of Pre-Approvals for Experts, Pre-Approvals for Vendors and Mediators, and Travel Expense Forms;

• Updating CityLaw with basic case matter data, financial data, calendar data; and

• Performing other duties as assigned by the Support Staff Supervisor and Branch attorneys.

Applicants must be on the Legal Secretary I eligible list. Applicants who are not on the Legal Secretary I eligible list will be contacted and scheduled to complete the spelling test and letter composition exercise.

•This position requires a self-starter with demonstrated initiative, organizational skills, problem-solving skills, and excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word and databases. 

•Applicants must be flexible, have the ability to work with a minimal amount of supervision, meet deadlines, and enjoy working as a team with attorneys and other support staff.

•Applicants must have experience typing, editing, and proofreading legal documents, and should have knowledge of state and federal court rules. 

•Applicants must possess excellent writing skills, and be proficient in the operation of a personal computer, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Professional.

•Applicants must work well with other employees of this Office and have the ability to communicate effectively with a range of individuals, including opposing counsel, court personnel, vendors, City personnel, and members of the public.

•This position requires the ability to lift boxes (up to 25 lbs.) with or without reasonable accommodation.

•Reliable attendance and punctuality are mandatory. The hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.