job openings

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY
CRIMINAL BRANCH OPERATIONS
CRIMINAL AND SPECIAL LITIGATION BRANCH
Salary Range:
DCA I: $94,127 - $137,599
DCA II: $115,696 - $169,148

About Us
The Los Angeles City Attorney's office is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 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.

The City Attorney’s Office offers a range of opportunities for attorneys to work on significant and complex issues. The effectiveness of the City Attorney’s Office depends upon the continued recruitment and hiring of excellent and diverse legal talent. We recognize the need for attorneys of varied backgrounds and skills, and offer an inclusive environment that relies on diverse perspectives to ensure that we effectively serve the people of Los Angeles.

The Criminal Branch Operations of the Criminal and Special Litigation Branch has immediate openings for attorneys.
Criminal Branch Operations attorneys prosecute misdemeanor criminal cases from branch offices located throughout Los Angeles. The City Attorney's Office works closely with local law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol and numerous city, county, state, and federal regulatory agencies to prosecute crimes occurring in the City of Los Angeles.

Duties and Responsibilities
The essential job functions of the attorneys assigned to the Criminal Branch Operations include reviewing cases presented by a variety of law enforcement agencies for filing determination; making filing decisions; initiating criminal complaints; assessing the value of cases for purposes of possible charge reductions, pleas and sentences; appearing in arraignment court; negotiating case dispositions; engaging in case preparation, including visiting the crime scene when appropriate; retrieval and review of digital evidence such as body worn video, digital in car video and social media posts; handling discovery, law and motion matters and making related court appearances; staffing and appearing in master calendar courts, direct set trial courts and post-conviction courts; conducting jury and court trials, including interviewing and preparing witnesses for trial, preparing and arguing pre-trial motions, delivering opening statements and closing arguments, examining and cross-examining witnesses, making appropriate evidentiary objections; handling all post-deliberation motions and appropriate sentence recommendation post conviction; and, all other duties and responsibilities associated with the prosecution of misdemeanor offenses handled by the Office of the City Attorney.

Requirements
Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California.

Desired Qualifications
The following qualifications are highly desirable:
-Trial experience demonstrating strong trial skills, including an understanding of evidentiary issues, trial preparation and trial strategy, and a broad knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
-Experience prosecuting misdemeanors.
-Experience with filing procedures and handling arraignment, master calendar, trial and post-conviction courts.
-Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to effectively engage in oral advocacy.
-Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of members of the public, law enforcement, and the court system with tact, sensitivity and good judgment.
-Strong research and writing skills.
-Familiarity with electronic databases and the electronic and digital presentation of evidence.
-Ability to assist in the preparation of reports, memoranda and legal research.

Writing Sample
Candidates must provide two (2) writing samples that they personally authored in the last two (2) 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 per week.

Current Location
Candidates may be selected for any of the following locations:
Central Branch
200 N. Main Street, 5th Floor, Los Angeles 90012
Metropolitan Branch
1945 S. Hill Street, Room 501, Los Angeles 90007
Pacific Branch
11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., Room 430, Los Angeles 90045
North Valley Branch
6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 450, Van Nuys 91401
Van Nuys Branch
6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 160, Van Nuys 91401
Harbor Branch
100 Oceangate, Suite 510, Long Beach 90802

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

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
Placement in this position by a current City Attorney employee will initially be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification, pending six months of satisfactory performance.

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

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