Deputy City Attorney – Public Finance

CALIFORNIA MINORITY COUNSEL Program; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

CALIFORNIA MINORITY COUNSEL Program in San Francisco seeks an attorney with public finance experience to advise the City on structuring and issuing general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, certificates of participation, leases and tax increment financings to finance capital programs and manage the City's multibillion‑dollar debt portfolio.

The role involves drafting security and disclosure documents, coordinating with outside bond and disclosure counsel, drafting ballot measures, and advising on

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in California.
• Minimum five years of public finance experience.
• Experience as bond, disclosure, underwriter’s or issuer’s counsel for municipal transactions.
• Experience with utility, airport, port, or other exempt facility revenue bonds.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to manage multiple clients.

Responsibilities

• Prepare security documents, disclosure documents, and related legislation.
• Manage outside bond and disclosure counsel.
• Draft ballot measures and advise on state legislation related to municipal finance.
• Provide in-house trainings on disclosure obligations, IRS post-issuance requirements, and related issues.
• Advise on debt expenditures limitations and treasury programs; monitor compliance.

Skills

Public finance experience

Bond counsel experience

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bar licensed in California

Job description

Position Summary

The Office seeks an attorney with public finance experience and expertise to advise the City (including the Controller’s Office, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and the Port of San Francisco) in structuring and issuing general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, certificates of participation, lease and tax increment financings, and other forms of indebtedness to finance the City’s various capital investment programs and service the City’s multi-billion dollar debt portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

The role involves preparing security documents, disclosure documents and related legislation; managing outside bond and disclosure counsel; drafting ballot measures; advising on state legislation related to municipal finance; conducting in-house trainings on the City’s disclosure obligations, IRS post-issuance requirements, and other finance-related issues; and advising on matters that may include but are not limited to the following:

• Legal and policy limitations on debt expenditures
• The application, approval, and expenditure of federal and state grant funds
• The procurement, negotiation, and management of debt-related agreements, such as credit facility agreements, feasibility consulting services, municipal, investment and rebate advisory services, along with other professional service agreements
• Financial, tax, and other compliance audits
• Utility rates, revenues, and expenditures under California Propositions 218 and 26, the acquisition of utility assets (including but not limited to power transmission and distribution assets), and the long‑term purchase and development of renewable energy resources

The Office’s public finance attorneys collectively work across all City departments to manage post‑issuance security law and disclosure responsibilities and tax issues, including arbitrage, rebate and IRS audit matters. Exemplar public finance work by our Office includes the following:

• A General Fund capital financing program, including issuance of general obligation bonds, lease revenue bonds, certificates of participation and commercial paper program
• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission water, wastewater and power capital financing projects, including the establishment of a credit/liquidity program for community choice aggregation (CleanPower SF)
• A San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency transit capital improvement program, including revenue bonds, commercial paper, and vehicle lease purchasing
• A Port of San Francisco capital improvement program to develop waterfront property, including Mission Rock and Pier 70 developments
• A Treasure Island capital development program, including issuance of special tax and infrastructure tax increment bonds to finance public realm development on Treasure Island
• Various multifamily and single‑family affordable housing programs
• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission water revenue bond program, sewer bond refunding, commercial paper program, and state revolving fund loan program

Qualifications and Prior Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in California.

Desired Qualifications

• At least five years and ideally more of relevant public finance experience.
• Experience serving as bond, disclosure, underwriter’s or issuer’s counsel in connection with municipal bond transactions, and in particular experience with utility, airport, port, or other exempt facility revenue bonds.
• Experience with variable rate bonds, commercial paper notes, interest rate swap agreements, and negotiation of credit and liquidity facilities.
• Ability to assume responsibility quickly and to work independently and efficiently.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Ability to manage and appropriately balance an active and varied workload and adjust to occasional workload increases.
• Ability to work directly with multiple City clients in a collaborative environment while maintaining appropriate professional objectivity.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, multi‑task, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.