Assistant City Attorney, Employment | Civil Division

Seattle City Attorney's Office; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and holidays

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Retirement plan

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office is seeking an Assistant City Attorney in the Civil Division to handle labor and employment matters, advise city departments, and lead complex litigation. The role requires strong knowledge of state and federal employment law and the ability to collaborate with HR professionals and city leadership.

The incumbent will manage deadlines in a fast-paced public sector environment, contribute to equity initiatives, and participate in settlement negotiations and policy

Qualifications

• Expertise in state and federal employment and labor law.
• Experience litigating labor and employment matters, including first-chair litigation and appeals.
• Experience advising HR professionals, managers, executives, and elected officials on complex employment issues.

Responsibilities

• Act as legal counsel to City policymakers, departmental leadership, HR professionals, and labor negotiators on complex matters under time pressure.
• Appear and represent the City in litigation before courts, agencies, and arbitrations; draft relevant motions and responses.
• Manage e-discovery and organize electronic information in compliance with rules and ethics.

Skills

Employment law

Labor law

Litigation

Client advisory

Equity

Portfolio management

Deadline-driven

Education

Bar admission

Job description

Position Description

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

Job Responsibilities

Advice

• Act as legal counsel to City policymakers, departmental leadership, human resources professionals, and labor negotiators on complex labor and employment matters, often under time pressure.
• Advise City departments on employment matters, including, but not limited to: ADA accommodations, leaves of absence, employee relations, labor relations, the FLSA, EEO investigations, discrimination claims, and other city, state, and federal labor and employment laws.

Litigation

• Appear and represent the City in litigation before federal court, state court, administrative agencies, and in labor arbitrations.
• Draft and respond to written interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
• Manage e-discovery and, with paralegal support, collect, organize, assess, and produce electronically stored information in compliance with court rules and ethical obligations.
• Take witness testimony and prepare witnesses for testifying at depositions, trials, arbitrations, and before other administrative agencies.
• Draft motions for summary judgment and conduct other motion practice as required.
• Mediate cases, including drafting mediation statements and advising City Departments and the City Attorney on settlement.
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.

Race and Social Justice

• Collaborate with colleagues and clients to align with the City’s mission of ending institutionalized racism in the City government.

Qualifications

This position requires membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or licensure in another state, and the ability to complete the membership process within four (4) months of an offer of employment.

Additionally, This Role Requires The Following

• Expertise in state and federal employment law. Expertise in traditional labor law is also desired.
• Experience in litigating labor and employment matters, including the ability to first-chair complex litigation and appeals.
• Experience advising HR professionals, managers, executives, and elected officials on complex and nuanced employment and labor issues. Experience advising public employers, including public safety clients, is also desired.
• Experience in applying policies and practices related to equity.
• The ability to independently manage a portfolio by meeting deadlines, identifying and adapting priorities, and navigating a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines set by courts and clients.

Race and Social Justice Initiative

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Compensation

Salaries of Assistant City Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Seattle City Attorney's Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. For example, the 2026 annual salary is $120,311.42 for someone with up to one year of experience, $166,436.91 for someone with ten years of experience, and $187,809.01 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. The full salary range for this position is $57.62 - $92.72 per hour. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick and paid parental leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits is available at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Workplace Environment

Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Who may apply

This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions?

Contact our Human Resources team [e-mail].