Deputy City Attorney - Police Litigation Unit

Exempt

contact information

Xochilt Chavira
2139787160
xochilt.chavira@lacity.org

job description

MICHAEL N. FEUER

LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY

CIVIL LITIGATION BRANCH

POLICE LITIGATION UNIT

SALARY RANGE: $107,991 - $206,524

POSITION: There is an immediate opening for a trial attorney in the Police Litigation Unit of the Civil Litigation Branch.

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.

REQUIRED

QUALIFICATIONS: 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 SAMPLES: Candidates are required to submit two writing samples that they have personally authored within the last two years.

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

COVID-19 VACCINE

REQUIREMENT: For candidates seeking initial City employment, in accordance with Los Angeles City Ordinance 187134, information regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements as conditions of employment may be found at: https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2021/21-0921_ord_187134_8-24-21.pdf.

How to apply

APPLICATION

AND DEADLINE: Attorneys interested in applying should submit their resume, writing samples, law school transcript, three references and cover letter in ONE (1) PDF FILE, indicating “DCA – POLICE LITIGATION UNIT” in the subject line, via email to atty.recruit@lacity.org.

Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Selected applicants will be invited to interview.

CONFLICT

OF INTEREST: This position is designated Category 4 on the Conflict of Interest Code.

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.

For candidates seeking initial City employment, in accordance with Los Angeles City Ordinance 187134, information regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements as conditions of employment may be found at: https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2021/21-0921_ord_187134_8-24-21.pdf.

job openings