Deputy City Attorney

City of Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Merced seeks an entry-level Deputy City Attorney to perform professional legal work and conduct research under supervision. You will represent the City on legal matters and assist in drafting documents and preparing for trial.

Ideal candidates have a law degree from an ABA/CA-accredited school, active CA State Bar membership, and willingness to work irregular hours when needed. Driver license and strong ethics are required.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a college or law school accredited by the ABA or CA Bar with an advanced law degree.
• Membership in the California State Bar in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional legal work and legal research for City assignments.
• Represents the City and City Attorney's Office on legal matters.
• Drafts legal documents and supports trial work as needed.
• Appears in court, presents cases, and handles hearings and negotiations.
• Reviews court records, analyzes evidence, and prepares briefs.
• May serve as legal advisor for City departments and boards.
• Performs related duties as required.

Skills

Legal research

Oral communication

Written communication

Analytical reasoning

Interviews & investigations

Education

Law degree from ABA/CA-accredited school

Active California State Bar membership

Job description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to perform professional legal work and legal research; to represent the City and City Attorney's Office on legal assignments; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry and training position in the professional Deputy City Attorney class series. Incumbents are expected to perform professional legal work and research with guidance and supervision from more experienced staff. This class differs from the Senior Deputy City Attorney in that the Senior Deputy City Attorney is the experienced working level with incumbents performing a broader range of legal work under less supervision. Deputy City Attorney incumbents will be expected to increasingly perform more complex work with less guidance. In addition, Deputy City Attorney incumbents will develop special expertise in specific areas of municipal law. It is anticipated that Deputy City Attorney incumbents will devote significant, non-work hours to learning the essentials of municipal law to prepare them for advancement in the profession.

REPORTS TO

City Attorney, Chief Deputy City Attorney, or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory class.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Performs professional legal assignments and research; receives and reviews legal cases and potential litigation, examining evidence, interviewing witnesses, and performing requisite investigations to determine the proper course of City legal action.
2. Authorizes and drafts appropriate legal documents to support legal cases; prepares and conducts trial work, as necessary.
3. Appears in court, preparing and presenting cases at preliminary hearings, trials, and legal administrative hearings; analyzes the facts of cases and legal precedents for motions, stipulations, or waivers; confers with judges and/or opposition attorneys regarding modifications to cases; and negotiates case settlements.
4. Provides briefings and oral arguments; anticipates and prepares for legal reasoning of opposition attorneys; drafts jury instructions; presents opening statements; interrogates and cross examines witnesses; and argues points of law; presents final arguments and summations.
5. Reviews court records, analyzes evidence, and prepares appellate briefs.
6. Works with other agencies on cases; may prepare legal opinions for other City staff.
7. May serve as legal advisor for assigned City departments, boards, or commissions.
8. Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of criminal, Constitutional, civil, and administrative law.
• California codes and statutes applicable to criminal and civil law.
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence in the conduct of hearings in court and before administrative bodies.
• Legal research methods.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Perform professional legal and legal research work.
• Analyze facts and apply legal precedents and principles to assigned cases.
• Prepare and present cases at all levels of the court system.
• Prepare and present a variety of special reports.
• Operate a computer and use appropriate software in the performance of professional legal work.
• Effectively represent the City and City Attorney's Office with the public, courts, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Graduation from a college or law school accredited by the American Bar Association or the California State Bar Association with an advanced degree in law.

Experience:

Some legal experience is desirable.

License or Certificate:

Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.
Active membership in the California State Bar.

Special Requirements:

Incumbent will be required to file a Statement of Economic Interest under the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Must be willing and able to work the hours necessary to accomplish the job requirements, including working irregular hours to attend evening meetings and travel to attend court, classes, meetings, and/or seminars, as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANDWORKING ENVIRONMENT

Environment: Work is performed in an office and/or courtroom environment; occasional work outside as required by research; and frequent contact with other staff and the public.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility in an office setting; to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; to hear in the normal range with or without correction; to see in the normal range with or without correction; and verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.