Staff Attorney

Salary : $148,311.48 - $189,502.80 Annually
Location : West Hollywood City Hall - 8300 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
Job Type: Full-time Regular Status
Job Number: 25-50262-02
Department: Human Services & Rent Stabilization
Division: HSD - Rent Stabilization
Opening Date: 05/29/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: WEHOME


JOB SUMMARY
Notice (Updated 12/2/2025): The Minimum Qualifications for this recruitment have been revised. Applicants who submitted applications prior to this update are not required to resubmit. All applications will be reviewed in accordance with the updated Minimum Qualifications. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received
The City of West Hollywood has an ideal opportunity for an attorney who is passionate about public service. The Rent Stabilization Division seeks a Staff Attorney who will conduct and adjudicate hearings to determine rent amounts and decreases due to loss of housing services, review tenant harassment complaints to assess the viability of enforcement action, perform legal research and writing, and ensure compliance with the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance. The right candidate will have an understanding of the fundamentals of rent stabilization and landlord-tenant law and will be prepared to engage in overseeing a quasi-judicial hearings process, perform complex legal analysis, draft ordinances, update regulations, and provide counsel as part of a dynamic team of municipal government professionals.
Why WeHo

The City of West Hollywood is like no other city in the world. Located in the heart of metropolitan Los Angeles and only 1.9 square miles, the City of West Hollywood was incorporated in 1984 by a unique collaboration of people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists, seniors, and advocates for affordable housing. West Hollywood is an international tourism destination with a diverse population and is also the location of many entertainment, design, technology, and hospitality-based businesses. The City is a robust economic and cultural center instilled with idealism, creativity, and innovation. A spirit of community activism and civic pride thrives in West Hollywood for many of its approximately 36,500 residents. The City of West Hollywood has a strong progressive voice, is a leader among communities, and is filled with a rich history. The City prides itself on strong core values: Respect and Support for People; Responsiveness to the Public; Idealism, Creativity, and Innovation; Quality of Residential Life; Promotion of Economic Development; Public Safety; and Responsibility for the Environment - as well as being proactive in responding to the needs of its diverse community.
How We Serve

The Rent Stabilization Division administers rent stabilization and tenant protections through the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and Rent Regulations. The Division provides resources for tenants and landlords in the community such as protections and policy, property registration, rental assistance programs, and legal support.
What You'll Contribute

The City of West Hollywood seeks a Staff Attorney to join our Rent Stabilization Team. In this position, you will play a crucial role in conducting hearings, reviewing tenant harassment complaints, and performing legal research and analysis for the Division As a lead staff member, you will performs a variety of complex professional functions related to legal services, including: providing legal advice and technical assistance; interpreting ordinances, codes, etc., performing legal research, drafting ordinance and regulation amendments and related correspondence, representing the City in administrative hearings and in court in conjunction with and under the auspices of the City Attorney.
The ideal candidate for this position:

• is a detail-oriented legal professional with strong governmental experience who thrives in a collaborative environment.
• understands the fundamentals of rent stabilization and landlord-tenant law.
• possesses excellent analytical skills and the ability to manage complex hearing-related processes and prepare high level reports with accuracy and efficiency.
• is prepared to engage in complex legal analysis, drafting of ordinances, updating regulations and providing counsel as part of a dynamic team of municipal government professionals.
• Is an impactful leader with the ability to effectively guide and mentor staff members while maintaining high standards of reporting.
• is proficient with legal research platforms, including OnLAW Pro Library, and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• is committed to maintaining programmatic integrity while ensuring organizational compliance

For full position details, please click the job description: Staff Attorney Job Description .
This position is eligible to work remotely for up to 50% of its time, subject to approval and based on the ongoing operational needs of the City.
Reports to: Rent Stabilization Manager
If you have problems creating a user account or submitting your online application, please contact NEOGOV applicant support directly at View phone number on click.appcast.io (Applicant Support Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field; and Juris Doctor from an accredited law school; and
• Five (5) years working as a licensed attorney; and
• Progressively responsible professional work experience (legal or non-legal) related to landlord-tenant rights and/or rent stabilization; or,
• Any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications :

• Admission to and an active member of the California State Bar.

Retirement
The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS). The retirement formula will be based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS, e.g. 2% @ 62 for New Members (average of three highest years) or 2.7% @ 55 for Classic Members (single highest year) with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS reciprocal agency. New Member employees are responsible for paying the employee contribution of one-half of the total normal cost of the plan (currently at 7.25%), as defined by CalPERS, through a payroll deduction. Classic Members are responsible for paying the employee contribution of 8% through a payroll deduction. The City does not participate in Social Security.

• $150.00 per month 457 deferred compensation contribution paid by the City (employer contribution). Employee can also make employee contributions toward the same plan. Annual limited is dictated by the IRS.
• $100.00 per month Retiree Health Savings (RHS) account contribution paid by the City (employer contribution).

Health Benefits

• The City covers the full health insurance premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee and eligible dependents, including children under the age of 26 (effective the 1st of the month following hire date).

Leaves

• Vacation Leave:
  • 80 hours - less than one year of service;
  • 120 hours - 2nd through 5th years of service;
  • 140 hours - 6th through 9th years of service;
  • 160 hours - after 10 years of service.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours per year.
• Personal Leave: 36 hours per year (prorated by quarter).
• 11 City paid holidays.

Other Benefits

• 5/40, 9/80 & 4/10 work schedule (depends on department/division's operational needs)
• Telework availability ranging from 0%-50% for telework-eligible positions, subject to approval and based on ongoing operational needs of the City.
• Technology stipend ($75.00 per month) for telework-eligible positions.
• LA County MTA E-Pass issued to all WEHOME employees.
• Life insurance equal to 1.5 times your annual salary, plus $20,000, to a maximum of $120,000.
• Disability Insurance: 66 2/3% of salary to cap of $3,077 per week, after a 29-day waiting period for short-term disability.
• Optional Benefits: AFLAC, Supplemental Life Insurance, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Flexible Benefit Plan (FSA) for medical reimbursement and dependent care assistance and cash out of accrued Vacation and Administrative Leaves (if applicable).
• Tuition reimbursement at 100% of the fee schedule for the University of California (UC Tuition Resident fee) for job-related courses pre-approved by the Department Director (up to $14,934 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026) and Required Textbook reimbursement (up to $2,500 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026).

01


The following Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination for this position and will be used in determining your qualifications. In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application. The hiring department will review each answer to evaluate your qualifications. Responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in your application not being considered. A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may negatively impact your eligibility for this part of the examination process. Responses with more than 250 words are ideal for essay questions.
Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.
Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City of West Hollywood.

By continuing in the recruitment process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge. If you are selected to continue in the recruitment process, your qualifications may be evaluated through employment verification, reference checks, and written, skill assessment, and oral examinations.
Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02


What is your highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College Coursework
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Doctorate (PhD)
• Not Applicable

03


How many years of professional experience do you have in the legal field?

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year and less than 3 years
• More than 3 years and less than 5 years
• More than 5 years and less than 7 years
• More than 7 years and less than 10 years
• More than 10 years

04


Describe any experience you have working on issues related to rent stabilization or landlord-tenant law. If you do not have any experience, please enter N/A.
05


Describe any experience you have working on issues related to administrative, municipal or criminal law. If you do not have any experience, please enter N/A.
06


Please provide your California State Bar number. If none, please enter N/A.
Required Question