City Attorney

JOB TITLE: City Attorney AGENCY: City of La Mesa LOCATION: La Mesa, CA FILING DEADLINE: June 30, 2026 SALARY RANGE: $250,000 - $320,000 Annually

THE POSITION

The City Attorney position provides a wide range of professional legal services to the City Council, City Manager, City departments, various boards, and commissions. It is imperative for the City Attorney to foster cooperative working relationships among City departments, intergovernmental and regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups. This position oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the City Attorney’s Office. The City Attorney consults with the City Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of municipal policies and functions, including the role of the City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the City Attorney department with those of other departments and outside agencies, managing and overseeing complex and varied activities, being accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and advancing City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines. The current City Attorney served as City Attorney for 29 years and will be retiring. The next City Attorney will benefit from an experienced leadership team composed of collaborative department directors that will work closely with the City Manager and City Council to advance the City’s strategic priorities.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a proactive, solution-oriented problem solver and consensus builder, who can work independently and foster strong relationships with City Council and staff. This hands‑on, "working" City Attorney will engender a high level of trust and credibility through excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and articulate complex legal issues in easy-to-comprehend terms. Expertise includes demonstrated experience in planning/community development, zoning, building, subdivision land use, Brown Act, California Political Reform Act, California Public Records Act (PRA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), employment and labor relations, code enforcement, elections, public safety (police and fire), and public works. The ideal candidate possesses demonstrated experience working efficiently and effectively with special counsel if and when the need arises.

QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law Ten years of increasingly responsible professional experience in municipal law California State Bar Admission #J-18808-Ljbffr City of La Mesa