Deputy City Attorney IV – Advisory

Education/Experience All Levels - Possession of a Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university. DCA-IV:    Three years of professional legal experience comparable to a Deputy City Attorney with the City of Stockton. Other Requirements for All Levels

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license.
• Be an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California and if selected for the position, must promptly apply for admission to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, if not already admitted to that court.
• Ability to travel to locations outside the office for legal proceedings or meetings.

This is a multi-level, at-will class where incumbents perform the full range of duties and may be assigned to Litigation or act as an Advisory. Both perform work related to any of a number of civil areas, some criminal prosecution, and legal services for one or more City departments and their associated elected or appointed boards, committees, and commissions. While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with legal matters in any area of municipal law. Employees at this level receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

The Deputy City Attorney (“DCA”) class series is distinguished from Assistant City Attorney in that the latter is the full supervisory class with responsibility for a major area of the City’s legal matters and may act as the City Attorney on a relief basis.

DCA IV is the senior level and is distinguished from DCA I – III by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing the duties, and by the nature of the public contact made.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Both Assignments

• Must become familiar with City operations to identify and address legal issues in a proactive manner, and continually manage and adjust workload to accommodate changing needs and priorities of City staff.
• Represents the City with dignity, integrity, and the spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public.
• Fosters an environment that embraces integrity, service, inclusion and collaboration.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Litigator 

• Represents the City, and its officers and employees in their official capacities, in court cases encompassing a wide variety of civil and criminal subject matters, including personal injury; property damage; dangerous conditions; police and other 1983 matters; motor vehicle accidents; constitutional claims; inverse condemnation; employment lawsuits; challenges to City ordinances, resolutions, and policies; and cases challenging City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Brown Act, California Public Records Act, and other laws.
• Handles court appearances, including dispositive motion hearings, settlement conferences, and mediations in complex cases.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City; gives advice on action to be taken and prepares cases for hearings and represents the City in such hearings.
• Represents the City in administrative hearings before City Boards, Committees, and Commissions as well as Federal and State Agencies.
• Initiates Code Enforcement proceedings as necessary and prepares all required documents; prepares cases for condemnation proceedings.
• Performs all discovery tasks, including fact and expert discovery; strategically develops and implements comprehensive discovery plans in complex cases.
• Directs and effectively manages heavy caseload of complex civil litigation files from inception to disposition.
• Identifies necessary deposition witnesses; takes and defends percipient witness, party, and expert depositions.
• Presents recommendations to the City Council in Closed Session.

Advisor

• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on existing litigation and/or City operations and recommends appropriate action.
• Performs complex legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, and the City’s boards, committees, commissions, departments, and city staff.
• May act as a liaison with outside counsel.
• Prepares and offers advice/opinions on ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and other legal documents; confers with and assists City departments by analyzing and applying legal points and procedures and makes necessary recommendations regarding existing policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
• Applies legal knowledge to varied problems.
• Reviews and approves contracts.
• Presents or supports client on items at Council and Committees or other public hearings.
• Researches and prepares oral and written memoranda, opinions and reports; recognizes when issues require alternative analysis and approaches.