Entry Level Assistant City Attorney – Prosecution and Code Enforcement, City Attorney’s Office

Colorado District Attorneys' Council; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Pension Plan for Life

457 (b) Retirement Plan

PTO and Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

RTD EcoPass

Job summary

The Colorado District Attorneys' Council is seeking an Entry-Level Assistant City Attorney for the Prosecution and Code Enforcement (PACE) Section in Denver. This role offers early courtroom exposure and public safety impact, with a hybrid schedule and daily on-site court appearances.

Ideal candidates have a JD or are eligible for Colorado bar admission, with interest in criminal law and a strong commitment to public service and victims’ rights.

Qualifications

• JD or equivalent required for admission to the Colorado bar.
• Experience in criminal law or prosecution preferred but not required.
• Courtroom experience or strong interest in trial work ideal.

Responsibilities

• Appear in court daily representing the City and County of Denver in municipal code prosecutions.
• Evaluate, prepare and prosecute cases through all stages of criminal litigation.
• Advocate for victims and assist them through the criminal justice process.
• Manage a high-volume caseload with adherence to deadlines.
• Collaborate with paralegals and victim advocates to present cases effectively.
• Develop litigation and trial advocacy skills through frequent courtroom appearances.
• Draft motions and respond to appeals; provide legal advice to city agencies.

Skills

Criminal law

Prosecution

Oral advocacy

Written communication

Public service

Victim advocacy

Courtroom experience

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Entry Level Assistant City Attorney - Prosecution and Code Enforcement, City Attorney's Office

Attorney @CDAC posted 1 day ago

• Post Date : October 26, 2026
• Job ID 24256
• Salary: $95,000.00 - $99,000.00 / Annual

Job Description

What We Offer

• Competitive Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance (effective within 1 month of start date, City pays majority of premiums)
• Pension Plan for Life (Employee contributes 8.45%, Employer matches at 17.95%)
• 457 (b) Retirement Plan (no early withdrawal fee!)
• PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year) and 14 paid holidays
• Merit Increases
• STD, LTD, HSA, FSA, Life Insurance
• CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program, Employee Volunteer Program
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $2000/year), We Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources
• EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)

Location & Schedule

In this position you will work out of the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building located at 201 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80202, but you will also work in the City and County Building, the Lindsey Flanigan Courthouse, and the Downtown Detention Center. Office hours are 8:00AM – 5:00PM but may be longer depending on the needs of the court and the case.

This role follows a hybrid schedule; however, because court appearances are conducted in person, employees are required to report on site daily for court proceedings. Depending on court schedules and business needs, employees may have opportunities to work remotely for portions of the workday after completing their in-person court responsibilities.

Please note: Downtown parking expenses are the responsibility of the employee. We offer a flexible spending account option specifically for parking; if you elect this option, you can use pre tax dollars for parking. We also offer an RTD - eco pass to all City employees- allowing the use of public transportation for free as a City Employee.

Who We Are & What You’ll Do

The City Attorney's Office is hiring an unlimited Entry Level Assistant City Attorney for the Prosecution and Code Enforcement (PACE) Section of the Department of Law. A PACE Entry Level Assistant City Attorney prosecutes a variety of municipal ordinance violations that occur within the City and County of Denver. We seek an attorney with experience or interest in criminal law, a basic understanding of municipal government law, a strong commitment to public service and public safety, and courtroom experience or interest in gaining strong courtroom and trial experience.

PACE prosecutes municipal crimes and traffic offenses, including domestic violence, assault, shoplifting, trespassing, and traffic violations. Additionally, we help victims of crimes understand their rights and provide planning to help victims safely participate in the criminal justice process. PACE also handles civil nuisance abatement cases against property used during the commission of crime and provides legal support to the Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.

This is an exceptional opportunity for attorneys seeking immediate courtroom and trial experience, trial advocacy training, and significant courtroom responsibility early in their legal careers, all while making a direct impact in the Denver community. Successful candidates are energized by fast-paced litigation, enjoy thinking on their feet, and are motivated by serving victims, advancing public safety, and making a positive difference through public service. This role offers substantial courtroom responsibility from day one and is well suited for individuals who are eager to learn, thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, exercise sound judgment, and enjoy working as part of a highly collaborative team.

Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Appear in court daily and represent the City and County of Denver in criminal prosecutions involving municipal code violations and select state law offenses
• Evaluate, prepare and prosecute cases through all stages of criminal litigation, including arraignments, motions hearings, plea negotiations, trials, and post-conviction proceedings
• Advocate for victims and help them navigate the criminal justice process through compassionate, trauma-informed communication and support, while ensuring compliance with the Municipal Victim Rights Act
• Manage a high-volume caseload while exercising sound judgment, prioritizing competing demands, and meeting court deadlines
• Work collaboratively with paralegals and victim advocates to ensure cases are properly prepared and effectively presented to the court
• Develop litigation, negotiation, and trial advocacy skills through frequent courtroom appearances and hands-on prosecutorial experience
• Draft appropriate motions and respond to motions in a professional and timely manner. Draft and respond to appeals
• Provide City agencies with legal advice. Represent City agencies during administrative hearings. Interpret policy, ordinances and charter requirements
• Assist other attorneys working in specialized areas with research and related activities
• Draft proposed ordinances
• Provide training and sound legal support to city agencies, including the Denver Police Department, the Denver Fire Department, the Denver Sheriff's Department, and others

What You’ll Bring

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You’ll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

• Experience or interest in criminal law and prosecution
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Commitment to public service, public safety, and victim advocacy
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced demanding environment through professional, academic, clinical, internship, or other relevant experience
• Confidence thinking on your feet and responding professionally to unexpected challenges in a courtroom or legal setting
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high pressure, high stress environments; capable of effectively managing a high-volume caseload while balancing competing priorities
• Sound judgment, common sense, and the ability to adapt quickly in dynamic and evolving situations
• Experience or interest in working with victims, including domestic violence victims, using a compassionate and trauma-informed approach
• Commitment to working collaboratively as part of a highly supportive and team-oriented environment
• Demonstrated initiative, strong work ethic, and a willingness to continuously learn and develop as a trial attorney

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: Juris Doctor (JD) degree or Bachelors of Law Degree
• Experience Requirement: None
• Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted
• License/Certifications: Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment

Application Deadline

To Be Considered For This Position, You Must Include The Following On Your Job Application (upload The Attachment(s) To The Resume/CV Section On The My Experience Tab)

• Cover Letter/statement of interest describing the following:
• Your interest in criminal law and prosecution
• What attracts you to a high-volume courtroom environment

The City is currently hiring for an Entry-Level Assistant City Attorney and anticipates an additional vacancy in November 2026. Apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, with continued periodic review as continued hiring needs arise.

Position Salary Range

$86,634.00 – $142,947.00

Target Pay

$95,000 – $99,000/year, based on experience and education