Assistant City Attorney, Employment | Civil Division

Assistant City Attorney, Employment | Civil Division

Salary

$120,310.56 - $193,620.24 Annually

Location

Columbia Center, 701 5th Avenue, Suite 2050 Seattle, WA

Job Type

Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-00268

Department

Law Department

Opening Date

05/28/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Language Premium

No

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position 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 Seattle City Attorney's Office seeks an attorney with experience in employment law and litigation to join 11 other Assistant City Attorneys, four paralegals, and two legal assistants in the Employment Section. Our attorneys play a critical role in advising on and litigating legal issues arising from Seattle's diverse workforce of over 10,000 employees in various City departments. Employment Section attorneys are generalists in the field of labor and employment and handle all aspects of litigation in state court, federal court, and administrative forums.

The Employment Sections day-to-day work is dynamic and fast-paced. Attorneys are responsible for all aspects of litigation, including setting strategy, discovery, preparing and arguing motions, overseeing mediation and settlement, and taking cases to trial and through any appeal. We take a collaborative, team-oriented approach to litigation and advice work that is essential for building effective teams and relationships with City Departments and their leadership.

Employment attorneys implement the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative in all aspects of their work.

Job Responsibilities

Advice

• Act as legal counsel to City policy makers, departmental leadership, human resources professionals, and labor negotiators on complex labor and employment matters, often under time pressure.
• Advise City departments on employment matters, including, but not limited to: ADA accommodations, leaves of absence, employee relations, labor relations, the FLSA, EEO investigations, discrimination claims, and other city, state, and federal labor and employment laws.

Litigation

• Appear and represent the City in litigation before federal court, state court, administrative agencies, and in labor arbitrations.
• Draft and respond to written interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
• Manage ediscovery, and with paralegal support, collect, organize, assess, and produce electronically stored information in a manner that complies with court rules and ethical obligations.
• Take witness testimony and prepare witnesses for testifying at depositions, trials, arbitrations, and before other administrative agencies.
• Draft motions for summary judgment and conduct other motion practice as required.
• Mediate cases, including drafting mediation statements and advising City Departments and the City Attorney on settlement.
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.

Race and Social Justice

• Collaborate with colleagues and clients to align with the City's mission of ending institutionalized racism in the City government.

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 four (4) months of an offer of employment.

Additionally, this role requires the following:

• Expertise in state and federal employment law. Expertise in traditional labor law is also desired.
• Experience in litigating labor and employment matters, including the ability to first-chair complex litigation and appeals.
• Experience advising HR professionals, managers, executives, and elected officials on complex and nuanced employment and labor issues. Experience advising public employers, including public safety clients, is also desired.
• Experience in applying policies and practices related to equity.
• The ability to independently manage a portfolio by meeting deadlines, identifying and adapting priorities, and navigating a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines set by courts and clients.

Additional Information

Application Process - For your application to be accepted, you must:

• Complete the online City of Seattle Application

• https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle

• Include the following required attachments (.pdf (preferred), .doc, or .docx format (accepted)):

• Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.

• Resume detailing your relevant experience.

• Legal writing sample that is less than 10 pages. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.

Application Submission Guidelines - All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc., will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site. Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative - The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Compensation - Salaries of Assistant City Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Seattle City Attorneys Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. For example, the 2026 annual salary is $120,311.42 for someone with up to one year of experience, $166,436.91 for someone with ten years of experience, and $187,809.01 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. The full salary range for this position is $57.62 - $92.72 per hour. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.

Benefits - The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney's Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits is available at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Workplace Environment - Currently, the Seattle City Attorneys Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Who may apply - This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorneys Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

Did you include all required documents with your application? (Cover Letter, Resume, and Legal Writing Sample)

• Yes
• No

02

Are you an active member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or are you actively licensed in another state and eligible to waive into Washington?

• Yes, Im an active member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association
• Yes, Im actively licensed in another state and eligible to waive into Washington.
• No

03

If you are not an active member of WSBA, please list all states where you are currently or have previously been licensed.

04

If youre not an active member of WSBA, where are you in the process of obtaining membership?

• I have not started the process of obtaining membership.
• Ive started the process but Im not able to provide a timeline.
• I am able to complete the process of obtaining membership within 30 days of an offer of employment.
• I am able to complete the process of obtaining membership within 60-90 days of an offer of employment.
• I am able to complete the process of obtaining membership within 120 days of an offer of employment.
• N/A

05

Have you ever been disciplined by the WSBA or any other State Bar Association?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been or are you currently under investigation?

• Yes
• No

07

The City and the Seattle City Attorneys Office have a commitment to ending institutional racism. Describe a time you took action to further equity.

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs