Deputy City Attorney

City of Vernon; Vernon (CA); On-site; USD 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Vernon is seeking a Deputy City Attorney to advise City departments and officials on a broad range of municipal law matters. This full-time position offers the opportunity to handle civil litigation, code updates, and public records issues within a small in-house team.

Ideal candidates will have a Juris Doctorate and at least three years in public sector legal practice, with strong research, writing, and advocacy skills.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate required; minimum three years in public sector legal practice.
• Licensed to practice law in California.
• Experience in municipal advisory or litigation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs legal research and prepares opinions for City Council, departments, and boards.
• Drafts and reviews contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
• Represents the City in civil cases, labor arbitration, and administrative hearings.
• Advises on municipal codes, policy, and governance matters.
• Mentors staff on municipal law matters and provides training as needed.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Written opinions

Municipal law

Policy guidance

Public hearings

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Microsoft Word

Job description

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY WITH THE CITY OF VERNON

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY

MONTHLY SALARY: $14,194 - $17,253

PLUS, AN EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE

FINAL FILING DEADLINE

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026, AT 11:59 PM

THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO FILL ONE FULL-TIME VACANCY IN THE CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT AND TO ESTABLISH AN ELIGIBILITY LIST TO BE USED FOR FUTURE VACANCIES.

The Vernon City Attorney's Office seeks a proactive, thoughtful, and strategic attorney with sound independent judgment to join our team as a Deputy City Attorney. This position offers the opportunity to advise City departments and officials on a broad range of municipal law matters and to work on challenging legal issues affecting one of California's most dynamic and unique cities. An integral part of our small in-house legal team, the Deputy City Attorney is a generalist position and the ideal candidate will have a background in municipal advisory or litigation experience with the desire to learn and grow into specialized skills unique to Vernon such as public utilities, public health, and industrial land use.

Depending on the candidate’s experience, interest, and skill set, as well as the needs of the Office, assignments may include liability claims, code enforcement, labor and employment counseling, public safety and police advisory work, civil litigation, municipal finance, contract drafting and negotiation, Public Records Act compliance, and providing legal counsel on a wide variety of municipal matters.

Summary

Under general supervision of and direction by the City Attorney, performs a wide variety of professional legal duties, ranging in difficulty from moderate to complex, for all City departments; provides legal opinions and strategy, minimizes risk and liability, researches and manages legal issues, and provides staff assistance to the Senior Deputy City Attorney and/or City Attorney with legal activities involving municipal civil law, general counsel advisory matters, administrative proceedings and other legal actions.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job announcement does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following. Under direction of the City Attorney:

• Performs legal research and prepares written and oral opinions on various legal issues including for the City Council, City departments, and other boards and commissions.
• Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates legal issues and recommends solutions to minimize risk and safeguard the City’s operations; works independently and makes appropriate decisions based on knowledge of City policies.
• Prepares, drafts, and reviews agreements, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents and instruments.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on liability claims filed against the City.
• Attends City Council meetings and advisory commission meetings as needed.
• Participates in the development of updates and expansions to the municipal code.
• At the direction of the City Attorney, confers with City staff to provide advice and counsel on legal matters or prosecution under the laws and ordinances affecting their work.
• Confers with the City Attorney or Senior Deputy City Attorney to determine legal policy and litigation strategy; studies facts and circumstances and interprets legal authorities including statutes, codes, court decisions, City Charter and ordinances to give well-informed legal advice or prepare written opinions.
• Represents and advises the City and City employees in civil cases, labor arbitration, and administrative hearings, sometimes in coordination with outside counsel.
• In coordination with the City Attorney, mentors and trains other City staff and officials on applicable municipal laws, policies, and procedures.
• Provides information, instructions, and assistance to the public and others having business with the City; responds to and resolves constituent service issues in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Supports the mission of the City Attorney’s Office by demonstrating respectful, courteous, and professional behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Keeps knowledge and skills current through legal education as mandated.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

Juris Doctorate Degree is required; AND three years of experience in public sector legal practice. Need not have knowledge and skill in all of the following areas but must have proficiency in identified practice areas.

Knowledge of

• Legal principles, practices, and procedures governing municipal operations and applicable to areas of responsibility.
• Duties, powers, and limitations of a chartered city government.
• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a municipal attorney.
• Methods and techniques of effective legal research, including identifying statutes, codes, legal precedents and court decisions affecting local government.
• Methods of factual research, case analysis, and report or memorandum preparation.
• Basic principles and practices of public administration and operations of City government.
• Statutory and case law applicable to City operations, including the Brown Act and California Public Records Act.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees and elected officials.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Skill

• Defining issues presented, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and developing sound conclusions of law and legal recommendations.
• Presenting statements of fact, law, and argument clearly, concisely, and logically both orally and in writing.
• Using tact, diplomacy, and discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
• Exercising sound and objective judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
• Representing the City and the City Attorney’s Office effectively in public meetings, hearings, and courts of law.
• Investigating, analyzing, and resolving legal issues and complaints.
• Preparing clear, concise, and competent legal documents including contracts, leases, reports, correspondence, proposed legislation, and other written materials.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines; understanding and following written and oral instructions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City department heads and staff, elected officials, members of the legal community, and others encountered in the course of work.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid California State Driver’s License may be required. Must be licensed by the Bar to practice law in the State of California, remain active with all California Bar annual requirements, and maintain a clear criminal record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment and on occasion off site.

Pursuant to California Government Code §3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisors or by law.

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

Application Deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026

External Panel Interviews Tentative - October 27, 2026

Selection Panel Interview Tentative 1st and 2nd week of November

The City of Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CITY OF VERNON - HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

Lisette M. Grizzelle, Human Resources Manager

[e-mail] - [phone], ext. 166