Assistant City Attorney, Employment | Civil Division

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 79,377 - 127,731; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

A municipal legal office in Seattle seeks an attorney experienced in employment law and litigation. The role includes advising City departments, representing the City in various courts, and collaborating on the Race and Social Justice Initiative. Applicants must be members of the Washington State Bar Association or eligible for membership within four months. Comprehensive benefits and a flexible work schedule are available.

Qualifications

• Ability to first-chair complex litigation and appeals.
• Collaborate to align with the City’s mission of ending institutional racism.
• Manage e-discovery with paralegal support.

Responsibilities

• Act as legal counsel to City policy makers and departments.
• Appear and represent the City in litigation.
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.

Skills

Expertise in state and federal employment law

Experience in litigating labor and employment matters

Experience advising HR professionals and executives

Understanding of equity policies

Ability to manage portfolio independently

Strong relationship-building skills

Ability to work under tight deadlines

Education

Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association

Job 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.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office seeks an attorney with experience in employment law and litigation to join 11 other Assistant City Attorneys, four paralegals, and two legal assistants in the Employment Section. Our attorneys play a critical role in advising on and litigating legal issues arising from Seattle’s diverse workforce of over 10,000 employees in various City departments. Employment Section attorneys are generalists in the field of labor and employment and handle all aspects of litigation in state court, federal court, and administrative forums.

The Employment Section's day-to-day work is dynamic and fast‑paced. Attorneys are responsible for all aspects of litigation, including setting strategy, discovery, preparing and arguing motions, overseeing mediation and settlement, and taking cases to trial and through any appeal. We take a collaborative, team‑oriented approach to litigation and advice work that is essential for building effective teams and relationships with City Departments and their leadership.

Employment attorneys implement the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative in all aspects of their work.

Advice

• Act as legal counsel to City policy makers, 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 a manner that complies 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.

This position requires membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or licensure in another state, with the ability to complete the process of obtaining membership 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.

Application Process

• Complete the online City of Seattle Application: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle
• Include the following required attachments (.pdf (preferred), .doc, or .docx format (accepted)):
  • Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.
  • Resume detailing your relevant experience.
  • Legal writing sample that is less than 10 pages. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.

Application Submission Guidelines

All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc., will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site. Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at [e-mail] should you need assistance with the online application process.

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 can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

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 at [e-mail].