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, accountability and transparency, 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.
Description
The Division counsels and represents most of City government in employee relations and labor matters:
The legal aspects of employee and labor relations in City government encompasses a vast subject matter consisting of law developed at the federal, state, and local government levels concerning, as notable examples, the discipline of employees, collective bargaining with employee organizations, the operation of civil service and similar systems, employee equity issues, wage/hour requirements, reasonable accommodations, and workplace violence (WV) prevention. One of the primary goals of the Division is to proactively work with Departments in order to reduce or eliminate the filing of new employment or labor related lawsuits. The work of the Division consists of handling advisory requests generated in this subject area with respect to most of greater City government, with the exception of most matters involving the LAPD and the proprietary departments, and recognizing and advising on areas requiring proactive advice.
The Division’s resources are also devoted to handling administrative cases brought by employees and their unions, or administrative agencies, such as Cal-OSHA. The administrative litigation, which includes direct and cross-examination of witnesses, takes place both in person and virtually in hearings held within the Los Angeles area before courts and administrative agencies at the state and federal level.
In addition to providing advice, the Division assists the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in preparing and presenting cases before a quasi-judicial tribunal known as the Board of Rights (BOR). Duties may include reviewing cases, writing legal briefs, conducting legal research, and working closely with LAFD’s Professional Standards Division.
The Division houses the Office’s Workplace Violence Prevention Unit, which takes WV reports, assists in violence assessments and security concerns, and obtains restraining orders, as needed, for all City departments and entities, including proprietary departments. The Division also addresses harassment and WV reports out of the City’s 92 Neighborhood Councils.
These varied responsibilities commonly bring Division attorneys into contact with high-ranking officials of City government and require interaction with the City Council and the Executive Employee Relations Committee.
Duties and Responsibilities
The attorney will be assigned to advice, advocacy and workplace violence prevention matters.
Requirements
Applicants for this position must have a valid license to practice law in all of the courts within the State of California. Additional requirements include:
At least five years of legal experience.
Demonstrated high-level legal research, written and oral communication skills.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, the ability to prioritize, and concurrently complete multiple assignments.
Strong legal research and writing.
Strong oral advocacy and speaking skills; must be able to speak on various topics in conducting training in the areas of discrimination, harassment, and workplace violence prevention to various departments, elected offices, and Neighborhood Councils, as needed.
Desired Qualifications
Knowledge of labor and employment law is strongly preferred.
Command of administrative law, such as arbitrations or other hearings is strongly preferred.
Experience and ability in dealing with governmental agencies and public officials.
Experiences in resolving and advising on complex and/or sensitive matters.
Experience with municipal law (including the Ralph M. Brown Act, Fair Employment and Housing Act, California Public Records Act, and Public Employee Relations Board).
Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental executive management and personnel, as well as members of the public.
How to apply
Requirements for Application
Cover Letter
Resume
Candidates are required to submit two recent writing samples personally authored in the last two years.
