Deputy City Attorney I

THE POSITION

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The Community Advocacy Public Safety Division seeks a motivated entry‑level attorney eager to immerse themselves in high‑volume courtroom advocacy. The ideal candidate is an aspiring litigator ready to make daily court appearances (4‑5 times per week) while refining their persuasive written and oral skills. They will be a collaborative team player who can also manage independent assignments with confidence. While prior legal experience is not required, a foundational understanding of criminal law and procedure is preferred. This role is structured and budgeted strictly as an entry‑level position to foster early‑career development. Candidates with significant prosecutorial or advanced litigation experience may not be the best match for the scope of this role. Under close supervision of a Supervising Deputy City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney and City Attorney, the Deputy City Attorney I provides professional legal services for the City of Sacramento and its boards, commissions, officers, and departments, and performs related work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a professional‑level classification populated with multiple incumbents assigned to the City Attorney’s Office. In general, the Deputy City Attorney I incumbents’ work may involve representing the City in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings including the abatement of city code violations, research, preparation and filing of court documents, appearances before judicial and quasi‑judicial bodies, and education of City staff. The Deputy City Attorney I is the entry‑level to moderately experienced working level of Deputy City Attorney. As experience is gained, employees are expected to develop the capability to perform work with less supervision, and perform at a higher professional level. Incumbents are expected to use sound professional judgment and skill in performing work, which is reviewed and approved by a Supervising Deputy City Attorney, and in some cases, by the Assistant City Attorney or the City Attorney. The Deputy City Attorney I is distinguished from the next higher level classification of Deputy City Attorney II in that the Deputy City Attorney I works under closer supervision and on less complex legal problems.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Supervision is provided by a Supervising Deputy City Attorney. The Deputy City Attorney I does not supervise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TYPICAL DUTIES

Performs legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City of Sacramento, and its boards, commissions, offices, and departments. Prepares and offers advice on ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and other legal documents; reviews documents and offers advice as to the legal acceptability of such documents. Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City; gives advice on action to be taken; prepares cases for hearings; represents the City in such hearings. Handles civil law problems, including the preparation of cases for trial. Provides legal advice on City policies and procedures. Initiates and defends cases involving the City, prepares the required pleadings; may serve as trial counsel for the City before County, State and Federal courts at all levels. Initiates and defends cases involving the City, prepares the required pleadings; serves as a trial counsel for the City before State and Federal courts at all levels.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Municipal, state, federal and constitutional laws affecting city government. Methods of legal research. Court and administrative agency procedures, including pleading requirements and rules of court and evidentiary rules. Ethical and other Rules of Professional Conduct that regulate the practice of law. Skill in: Utilizing in a proficient manner available computer equipment and software, and other law office technology to format, prepare and process documents in a reasonably efficient manner. Automated legal research. Ability to: Acquire within a reasonable time knowledge of City Code, City ordinances, City Charter; and other laws related to municipal legal affairs. Read and comprehend legal documents quickly and efficiently. Use sound judgment in providing legal advice. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships. Work well under the pressure of a heavy caseload and complete assignments within specified time limits. Begin to recognize issues of political sensitivity and notify supervisor of the same. Deal effectively and diplomatically with City officials, outside agencies and attorneys, and the public. Deal effectively and diplomatically with other office support and professional staff. Draft and present persuasive legal arguments. Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Research a variety of technical and legal issues and make recommendations demonstrating the exercise of sound legal advice. Apply legal knowledge to varied problems. Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents. Prepare appropriate pleadings and other documents in litigation cases, and represent the City in administrative and judicial proceedings, at the trial and appellate level. Work effectively and cooperatively in a team environment. Provide general direction to support staff. Demonstrate skill in learning to understand varied non‑legal subjects, in analyzing non‑legal problems, and in relating non‑legal subjects and problems to applicable law. Undertake and complete assigned projects on own initiative with supervision and direction. Inspire and impart confidence and trust. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by a Supervising Deputy City Attorney, the City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience: General knowledge of the practice of law to moderate knowledge and experience in municipal law. Education: LLB, JD or other equivalent law degree which entitles a candidate to sit for the California Bar Examination.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable. An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Member in good standing with the California State Bar Association with no record of practice related discipline; have no felony convictions and be of moral character. Qualified to practice law before all courts in California and relevant Federal Courts, including the Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme.

PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP

Proof of the required membership and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

CLOSING DATE/ TIME

Closing Date/Time: 7/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific #J-18808-Ljbffr Careers In Government