Deputy City Attorney - Advisory Unit

Job Description:

Deputy City Attorney - Advisory Unit

Description

Job Summary

The Santa Monica City Attorney's office seeks an attorney with at least five years’ experience to serve as a Deputy City Attorney in the Advisory Unit.

The Advisory Unit advises City Council, the City’s Boards and Commissions, and all City Departments on a wide range of municipal law issues, including, but not limited to, the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, housing, land use, real estate, public safety, labor and employment, public contracting, municipal finance, election law, conflicts of interest, First Amendment issues, and economic development. The Unit is also responsible for drafting resolutions, ordinances, and ballot measures, reviewing and drafting contracts, and drafting legal pleadings and responses.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate proficiency in advising city departments or public agencies, drafting ordinances and resolutions, staffing boards and commissions, and have a thorough understanding of regulations surrounding public safety issues, election and conflict law, public bidding and contracting, and demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Providing legal advice and interpretation of laws, statutes, regulations, and ordinances to elected officials, city departments, boards, and commissions.
• Drafting, reviewing, and approving complex contracts, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other legal documents involving high-value or high-risk municipal interests.
• Representing the City in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and negotiations.
• Attending meetings of boards, commissions, and committees as may be required; rendering legal advice as requested.
• Ensuring strict legal compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations across all municipal operations, including emerging regulatory areas.

The successful applicant will have a combination of required and preferred qualifications.

Required qualifications:

• Minimum of five years’ relevant experience, which should include general municipal law practice and litigation experience, including writs;
• Prior experience advising city departments or public agencies.
• Proficiency in drafting resolutions, ordinances, and contracts
• Ability to build and maintain relationships across all city departments; and
• Current and active license to practice law in the State of California

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience staffing boards and commissions;

• Expertise in election law, conflicts law, administrative law, constitutional law, land use law, and/or other areas of municipal law;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare reports, letters, plans, agreements, and memoranda
• Ability to respond quickly to changing situations and requests
• Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands
• Effectively prioritize and manage deadlines

• Trial and appellate experience in state and federal court; and
• Familiarity with government tort claims, tort law, and employment law

Unit placement and work assignments of Deputy City Attorneys are subject to change based on the operational needs and workload of the City Attorney’s Office overall. The hours of the position are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on alternate Fridays. This is a 9/80 work schedule. Hybrid remote work schedule is currently available. Evening and weekend duties may be required to attend City Council meetings, Boards/Commission meetings, and other public meetings or events. A background check will be required prior to beginning employment. Salary range is: Deputy City Attorney II - $140,808 to $173,808, Deputy City Attorney III $218,124 to $269,292, and is dependent on qualifications and experience. This position is part of the Public Attorneys Union.

The City also offers excellent benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer.See the CAO EEO Policy on the City Attorney’s Office website . Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references. These materials should be submitted in a single pdf document by email to: CAO.Opportunities@santamonica.gov with the subject line: “Application - Deputy City Attorney - Advisory Unit”; closing date Friday, January 23, 2026, by 12:00pm.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 1/23/2026 12:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

See Position Description