Deputy City Attorney IV

City of Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Berkeley invites applications for Deputy City Attorney IV in the City Attorney’s Office. You will provide high-level legal support to City departments, boards, and commissions and represent the City in litigation.

The Office handles cutting-edge matters in climate, homelessness, and public policy, with an emphasis on independent, politically sensitive work. Ideal candidates will have state and federal litigation experience, lead roles on complex cases, and appellate exposure.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school required.
• Six years of experience as an attorney in civil practice preferred in a municipal setting.
• Current member of the California State Bar required.
• Willingness to attend evening meetings and may require a California driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level legal support to City departments, boards, and commissions.
• Represent the City in litigation in state and federal courts.
• Act as lead on complex cases with independence and potential long-term duration.
• Support ongoing and emerging issues in cutting-edge municipal litigation.

Skills

Litigation experience

Lead on complex cases

Appellate experience

Civil law

Education

Juris Doctorate

California Bar admission

Job description

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for a position as Deputy City Attorney IV in the City Attorney’s Office. In this role, you’ll provide high level legal support to City departments, boards, and commissions and represent the City in litigation. The City Attorney's Office is routinely involved in cutting edge litigation over issues of national interest, such as climate change and homelessness.

As the highest level in the Deputy City Attorney class series, this classification performs the more complex, politically sensitive work with a high level of independence. Positions at this level may have responsibility for cases of long-term duration.

The ideal candidate has litigation experience in state and federal courts and has acted as a lead on complex cases during all phases of trial. Appellate experience is welcomed.

See the full classification description here: Deputy City Attorney IV

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is: A Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school and six (6) years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of civil law, preferably in a municipal setting.

Other requirements include: Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association. Must be willing to attend evening meetings. Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on August 31, 2026.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to [e-mail]. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application period close date)
• Competitive review of answers to the supplemental questions

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing the examination phase will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that the hiring department will use to conduct final selection interviews tentatively scheduled for mid-September, 2026.

Reasonable Accommodations

The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to [e-mail] at the time of application.