Description

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Constitutional and Complex Litigation Section of the Seattle City Attorney's Office is seeking attorneys to join in representing the City on some of its most challenging and high-profile matters.

As a Constitutional and Complex Litigation Attorney, you will defend lawsuits against the City of Seattle and bring affirmative litigation in practice areas including constitutional, charter, regulatory, ethics, public records, and municipal and local government powers. Additionally, you will be involved in litigation involving the Seattle Police Department defending § 1983 cases alleging violations of constitutional rights and representing the City in inquest trial proceedings.

You will also be working on emerging federal response issues, including affirmative federal litigation, client advice, and proactive City initiatives.  
Constitutional and Complex Litigation Section matters often garner significant attention from elected officials and media representatives. Attorneys often handle a varied caseload with practice extensively in both state and federal court with ample opportunity for trial and courtroom experience in matters of significant public interest.

Besides the opportunity to join a team dedicated to public service, the City Attorney's Office offers a generous benefit program which includes paid parental and family leave, low-cost health benefits, and the opportunity to participate in a defined retirement program.

Job Responsibilities
This position will focus primarily on litigation, although it may involve advice work in anticipation of litigation. You will succeed in this role if you can handle all aspects of both affirmative and defensive civil litigation independently, including motions practice, discovery, trial, and appellate work; and balance highly scrutinized matters of public importance in a fast- paced and ever-changing litigation landscape.

In this position, you will be provided an opportunity to quickly learn and develop strategies regarding a wide variety of substantive areas of the law; collaborating with your team to find creative solutions to a myriad of case and client-related concerns.

Requirements

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
This position requires membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or licensure in another state with the ability to complete the process of obtaining membership within 2 months of offer of employment.

Desired Qualifications
You will be most successful in this role if you have the following experience, knowledge, and skills/abilities.

• Expertise in municipal or government-related law and other public interest topics  
• Ability to first-chair complex litigation in state and federal court
• Demonstrated effective and independent litigation skills
• Ability to effectively represent elected and high-profile clients in prominent matters
• Demonstrated proficiency in research, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to effectively complete complex assignments independently and a wide variety of tasks simultaneously  
• Comfort with novel legal issues and emerging areas of law