DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY - POLICE LITIGATION UNIT

job description

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY
POLICE LITIGATION UNIT
CIVIL LITIGATION BRANCH
Salary Range
DCA II $124,068 - $181,405
DCA III $160,692 - $234,920

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CANDIDATES.
For current City Attorney employees this will be a lateral transfer.

About Us
The Los Angeles City Attorney's office is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the Office provides the City with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform, 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, and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment, are key to making a positive impact.

Duties and Responsibilities
Attorneys in the Police Litigation Unit defend the City of Los Angeles and individual LAPD Officers in civil lawsuits alleging excessive use of force or other police misconduct. Largely, the cases assigned to the trial attorneys involve allegations of constitutional violations of the 1st, 4th and 14th Amendments, claims of excessive force, false arrest, illegal search and seizure, or other violations of civil rights. In addition to trying cases, trial attorneys are responsible for all pretrial phases of litigation, including law and motion, depositions and discovery, mediation, and frequent interaction with LAPD personnel. Litigation is primarily in the United States District Court and Superior Courts.

Requirements
Applicants for this position must have a license to practice law in all of the courts in the State of California. Additional requirements include:
• At least three years of civil litigation practice in California Superior Courts and/or United States District Court.
• Significant trial experience (civil or criminal);
• Demonstrated strong research and writing skills in complex areas of law;
• Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental personnel, and members of the public;
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills and a strong work ethic; and
• Strong oral communication and advocacy skills.

Writing Sample
Candidates are required to submit two writing samples that they personally have authored in the last two years.

Benefits Offered

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tax-Advantage Spending Accounts
• Retirement Plan (LACERS)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457(b))
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
  • 13 Yearly Holidays
  • Vacation
  • Personal Leave
  • Floating Holidays
  • Sick Leave
  • Bereavement Leave

Telework
This position may qualify for up to 3 days of telework.

Current location
City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within the County of Los Angeles.

Probation
Appointment to this exempt position (non-Civil-Service) will be subject to a two (2) year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the two (2) year probationary period will result in tenure with the office.

Classification
Internal applicants: Placement in this position will be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification. The candidate’s transfer will require approval from the CAO through the Prioritized Critical Hiring process.

Conflict of Interest
This position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict of Interest Code.

Contact
Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org.

How to apply

Application and Deadline
Applicants can submit their cover letter, resume and writing samples by applying online at:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacityattorney/
#3409 DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY - POLICE LITIGATION UNIT.
Resumes will be accepted until this position is filled. Qualified applicants will be invited to interview.

exempt employment

If employment is said to be exempt, it is meant that the employment is exempted from the civil service provisions of the City Charter. In order to receive a regular civil service appointment, employees must have successfully participated in a civil service examination, received a high enough score on the examination to be placed on and receive an appointment from an eligible list, and they must serve a probationary period. Exempt employees do not compete in a civil service examination, they are not placed on an eligible list and receive an appointment from that list, nor do they serve a probationary period. As a result, exempt employees do not have what is referred to as a “property interest” in their job. Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority and can be terminated at any time without cause. Employees with a property interest in their job, i.e. civil service employees, cannot be deprived of their employment(discharged or suspended) without due process.

General Information About Exempt Employment

Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority, and as such, they may be discharged, suspended or otherwise disciplined without cause. Exempt employees have no property interest in their employment, and any procedural benefit or other prerogative extended to them by their appointing authority is not intended to create and does not create any such property interest. No officer or employee of the City may make to any other officer or employee any representation of a property interest in employment which does not correspond to Charter provisions unless the City Council, by ordinance, permits such representation. No unauthorized representation can serve as the basis of an employee's reliance on, or expectation of, a property interest.

Employees Seeking To Become Civil Service Employees

There is no protective leave for an exempt employee appointed to a civil service position. Upon receiving a civil service appointment and passing probation, the former exempt employee will be subject to the Civil Service provisions described in Article X of the City Charter. Upon appointment, the civil service employee will begin to accrue displacement and layoff seniority on the first day of his/her civil service appointment and may file for promotional examinations for which s/he qualifies. A full or half-time exempt employee appointed to a full or half-time civil service position continues to: contribute to the Retirement System; accrue vacation time; accrue sick time; receive anniversary date salary increases; and, receive health and dental benefits identical to those received in the civil service position.

Closing Date/Time: 12/24/24

• 

• City of Los Angeles

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