DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY - EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION DIVISION (LAW AND MOTION)

Exempt | Location: Civic Center

Annual Salary

$115,682.00 - $221,386.00

contact information

Human Resources
2139787160
atty.recruit@lacity.org

job description

Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney

Hydee Feldstein Soto

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION DIVISION

CIVIL LITIGATION BRANCH

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $115,682 - $221,386

SUMMARY: 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. We also offer competitive benefits and working arrangements including a telework program.

POSITION: Law and motion attorney in the Employment Litigation Division of the Civil Litigation Branch.

SECTION: The Employment Litigation Division defends the City of Los Angeles, City departments, and individual City employees in employment litigation brought by current and former employees. The Division’s practice has a strong focus on public safety employees (Police and Fire); however, the work includes a variety of cases from many City departments.

Most of the litigation involves California state law employment statutes, especially those arising under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”) and Labor Code § 1102.5 (the whistleblower statute). However, a working knowledge of labor law and theories in federal employment litigation is helpful in analyzing the cases.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Law and motion attorneys are responsible for the initial evaluation of cases including spotting potential liability issues, determining compliance with the Government Tort Claims Act and identifying pleading defects and affirmative defenses. Law and motion attorneys are also responsible for the evaluation for, and the drafting, filing and/or litigation of, a wide variety of pleadings such as: demurrers, FRCP 12(b)(6) motions, motions for summary judgment / adjudication, motions to quash, motions to stay, removals, motions in limine, motions for judgment as a matter of law, motions for judgment on the pleadings, motions for directed verdict, motions for new trial, oppositions to motions for attorney's fees, and other post-trial motions. In addition, law and motion attorneys may be asked to oppose discovery motions including motions to compel and motions for protective orders. Litigation is in the Superior Courts and Federal Courts.

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:

? Five (5) years of civil litigation practice in California and/or Federal Courts;

? Extensive knowledge of the California Code of Civil Procedure, California Evidence Code, Civil Code, and case law applicable to FEHA and Labor Code 1102.5 claims;

? Significant law and motion experience and a sincere desire to vigorously represent the City of Los Angeles in litigation that is often contentious, complex and highly charged;

? Good analytical, reasoning, and advocacy skills and a strong work ethic, and

? Good organizational and logistical skills.

The following qualifications are desirable:

? Admission to the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence, Civil Procedure, local rules for the Central District of California;

? Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental personnel, and members of the public;

? Strong oral communication skills;

WRITING SAMPLE: Candidates are required to submit two writing samples, of which they are the primary author, in the last two years.

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

PROBATION: Appointment to this exempt position (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 a resume, writing sample, certified law school transcript, three references, summary of qualification and cover letter specifying DCA – EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION

DIVISION (Law and Motion) Job #3210 in ONE (1) pdf file via email only to atty.recruit@lacity.org.

This position will remain open until filled.

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.

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