Assistant City Attorney (Civil Litigation Division) - City Attorney's Office - I2358 (UNC)

Assistant City Attorney (Civil Litigation Division) - City Attorney's Office - I2358 (UNC)

Salary

$250,000.00 - $295,000.00 Annually

Location

City of San Diego, CA

Job Type

Unclassified

Job Number

I2358

Business Area

1211 - City Attorney

Personnel Area

1400 - City Attorneys Office

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

8/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits

JOB INFORMATION

The San Diego City Attorneys Office protects the people of San Diego by serving as chief legal counsel to the City of San Diego's elected officials and operational departments; prosecuting and defending civil cases involving the City; and as the City's prosecutor on behalf of the People of the State of California, by holding accountable those who commit crimes against the public health and safety and violate other local and state laws. Our municipal law firm employs over 190 lawyers and approximately 230 support staff, dedicated to providing legal services to the City of San Diego.

The San Diego City Attorney's Office has an opening for the Assistant City Attorney of the Civil Litigation Division. The position reports directly to the City Attorney and is a member of the City Attorney's Executive Team.

The Civil Litigation Division generally prosecutes and defends all lawsuits and cases to which the City is a party. Under the direction of the Assistant City Attorney, the Civil Litigation Division participates in all stages of litigation, including trials and appeals, on behalf of the City in state and federal courts. The Division also presents cases and settlement proposals to the Mayor and City Council in closed session meetings with the City Council, and works closely with City departments and leadership to address risks, adopt mitigation measures, and resolve legal disputes.

The Division's workload includes police false arrest and excessive force cases, personal injury cases, property damage cases, dangerous condition cases, motor vehicle accidents, indemnity claims, claims related to funding and revenue sources such as City taxes and fees, constitutional claims, and cases challenging the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Brown Act, California Environmental Quality Act, City land use decisions, and the California Public Records Act. The Division also handles the City's employment cases alleging discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or unpaid wages, and proceedings before the Civil Service Commission or Cal/OSHA.

The position is unclassified, at-will, and serves at the pleasure of the City Attorney.

To Apply:

To learn more about the position, please visit the San Diego City Attorney's Office Career Page.

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee's eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee's first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

Employer City of San Diego

Address 1200 3rd Ave., Suite 300, MS 51P

San Diego, California, 92101

Phone (619) 236-6400

(619) 236-6358

Website http://www.sandiego.gov/empopp/