CITY ATTORNEY

City of Stockton; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Stockton is seeking a City Attorney to lead the City Attorney's Office and provide strategic legal guidance for municipal operations. This at-will, exempt position requires a top-tier attorney with state-level experience and strong ethical standards.

duties include advising the City Council, directing the department’s goals and budgets, supervising staff, and representing the City in court and its legal matters.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.
• Must be licensed to practice in all California courts and have at least seven years of legal experience, including three years in local government.

Responsibilities

• Advises the City Council on legal matters and attends meetings.
• Directs goals, policies, budgets, and work standards for the Law Department.
• Oversees staff organization, training, and professional development.
• Supervises litigation involving the City and defends the City and employees.
• Interprets laws and provides legal advice to City boards, Council, and departments.
• Reviews legal documents and represents the City in collection efforts and court cases.

Skills

Civil & criminal law

Municipal government

Legal research

Oral & written comms

Public official duties

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

AT-WILL OPPORTUNITY

The selected candidate will be required to enter into a formal employment agreement outlining the terms and conditions of employment. Final appointment to the position is contingent upon the negotiation and approval of this agreement by the City Council.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

FIRST REVIEW DATE: October 18, 2026

The City of Stockton is seeking to fill one (1) vacancy for the City Attorney. The ideal candidate will be of the highest integrity and genuinely committed to developing a strong customer service ethic, responsive to organizational needs, and open and honest in all internal and external relationships. The desired candidate will be known for the use of innovative, forward-thinking, and creative methods in planning for workforce development. Candidates must be capable of managing extraordinarily complex issues in the context of an overall management team and be action-oriented and passionate about change and innovation. Candidates for this position should be exceptional leaders, capable of planning and directing the services of the City Attorney's Office and coordinating efforts with other divisions and City departments within a sophisticated, fast-paced environment.

This is a Confidential At-Will (Unclassified/Unrepresented) position. In accordance with the Charter of the City of Stockton, Article XIII Section 1302, the City Council shall appoint the City Attorney.

Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.

Under policy direction of the City Council, acts as the Chief Legal Officer of the City with responsibility for all aspects of the City's legal work, whether performed by professional in-house staff or outside counsel; acts as the legal representative in City matters for all elected and appointed officials and City departments; performs related work as assigned by the City Council.

This single position class manages all City legal activities, including civil and criminal litigation, whether performed by in-house staff or outside counsel. Responsibilities include personally handling sensitive and complex legal matters and rendering advice and opinions to the City Council, City boards and commissions, and City departments.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advises the City Council on all legal matters and attends City Council meetings to provide legal advice.
• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures, budget and work standards for the Law Department.
• Plans, organizes, administers, reviews and evaluates the activities of professional, support and contract staff; selects assigned staff and provides for their training and professional development.
• Supervises the institution and defense of all litigation involving the City.
• Studies and interprets laws, court decisions and other authorities and provides legal advice to all City boards and commissions, the City Council and City departments regarding legal implications of all City operations.
• Evaluates all legal complaints filed against the City and recommends appropriate action.
• Defends the City and its employees in lawsuits against them for acts done in the performance of their duties.
• Represents the City in court cases.
• Reviews the sufficiency of all legal documents to which the City is a party.
• Represents the City in collection efforts.
• Prepares a variety of periodic and special reports related to Law Department activities and legal cases.
• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions related to municipal law and activities; evaluates their impact on City operations and recommends appropriate action.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

Possession of a Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.

Must be licensed to practice in all the courts of California and prior to appointment must have professional legal experience in the State of California for at least seven years, including three years of experience in a local government setting.

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license.
• Must be a current licensed member, active and in good standing with the California State Bar.

Knowledge of

• Principles and procedures of civil and criminal law, particularly as they are related to municipal government, including civil, criminal, and administrative procedure;
• Principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigations;
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence;
• Pleadings and practices and effective techniques in the presentation of court cases;
• Municipal government organization, structure, and functional responsibilities;
• Responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agencies;
• State and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations;
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, budget development and implementation and employee supervision.

Skill in

• Planning, organizing, administering, reviewing, and evaluating professional, contract, and other support staff;
• Communicating effectively, tactfully and positively in both oral and written form;
• Selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating departmental staff;
• Performing complex legal research, analyzing complex problems, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations;
• Preparing clear, concise and complete legal documentation and reports, correspondence, and other written materials;
• Developing, implementing and interpreting goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls;
• Analyzing and applying legal principles and precedents to specific local government problems;
• Making effective court and hearing presentations;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
• Representing the City effectively in meetings with others.

Physical/Mental Abilities

• Mobility - Constant sitting and bending, for long periods of time while operating a keyboard; occasional walking, bending of neck, squatting, climbing stairs, kneeling, and twisting;
• Lifting - Occasional lifting and carrying of 10 pounds or less; occasional carrying of 10 pounds or less;
• Vision - Constant use of overall visual capabilities; frequent need for use of color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work;
• Dexterity - Constant typing; frequent repetitive motion and writing; occasional grasping, pushing, pulling, and reaching;
• Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone;
• Special Requirements - Occasionally requires weekend, evening work may require driving to additional worksites;
• Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration, decision making and public contact; occasional ability to exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful situations; and working alone;
• Environmental Conditions - Occasional exposure to noise and outdoor conditions; and
• Working Conditions - Primarily performed in an office environment which is typically quiet.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.

This position is Exempt from FLSA (Fair Labor and Standards Act), does not qualify for overtime compensation, and is subject to Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) annual filing requirements. For more information, visit www.fppc.ca.gov.

The City requires employees in this position to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times The City Attorney will be required to maintain a primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City.