Deputy City Attorney II/III

Description
The Labor Relations Division (LR) advises and represents most of City government, including elected officials, in both employee relations and labor matters. The mission of LR is to advise and assist City elected officials and departments on how best to address employee and union matters in a manner that improves the workplace, complies with applicable laws, and reduces liability for the City. The Division is a high profile, dynamic, confidential working environment requiring excellent verbal and legal research skills and attorneys who thrive in a quick-paced environment. LR counsels and represents over 40 City departments, including the City Attorney’s Office itself, on employee relations and labor matters such as the following.

Advising on: employee grievances, collective bargaining with employee organizations, the operation of the civil service system, employee equity issues, leaves, wage/hour requirements, employee accountability, reasonable accommodations, responding to public records requests concerning personnel matters, and workplace violence (WV) prevention, among other areas. The work is varied and fast paced, involving team collaboration and active research. One of the primary goals of the Division is to work with departments to reduce or eliminate the filing of new employment or labor related lawsuits and charges against the City. The primary work of the Division consists of handling advisory requests from most of greater City government, with the exception of most LAPD and proprietary departments matters, and proactively advising on labor and employment matters.
The Division’s resources are also devoted to handling administrative cases brought by employees and their unions, or administrative agencies, such as Cal-OSHA (workplace safety) and the Labor Commissioner’s Office. These in person and virtual hearings require expertise in direct and cross-examination of witnesses before courts and administrative agencies at the state and federal level.
In addition to providing advice, the Division assists the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in preparing and presenting cases before a quasi-judicial tribunal known as the Board of Rights (BOR). Duties may include reviewing cases, writing legal briefs, conducting legal research, training, and working closely with LAFD’s Professional Standards Division as they prepare for and present cases to the BORs.
The Division houses the Office’s Workplace Violence Prevention Unit, which takes WV reports, assists in violence assessments and security concerns, and obtains restraining orders, as needed, for all City departments and entities. The Division also addresses harassment and WV reports out of the City’s Neighborhood Councils.
These varied responsibilities commonly bring Division attorneys into contact with high-ranking officials of City government and require interaction with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and the Executive Employee Relations Committee
Duties and Responsibilities
The attorney will be assigned to advice, advocacy and workplace violence prevention matters as well as other related duties as assigned.

Requirements
Applicants for this position must have a valid license to practice law in all of the courts within the State of California. Additional requirements include:

At least five years of legal experience, although related experience may be considered.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, the ability to prioritize, and concurrently complete multiple assignments.
Strong legal research and writing skills.
Strong oral advocacy and speaking skills; must be able to speak on various topics in conducting training in the areas of discrimination, harassment, and workplace violence prevention to various departments, elected offices, and Neighborhood Councils, as needed.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Desired Qualifications

Knowledge of labor and employment law is strongly preferred.
Command of administrative law, such as arbitrations or other hearings is strongly preferred.
Experience and ability in dealing with governmental agencies and public officials.
Experience in resolving and advising on complex and/or sensitive matters.
Experience with municipal law (including the Ralph M. Brown Act, Fair Employment and Housing Act, California Public Records Act, and Public Employee Relations Board).
Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental executive management and personnel, as well as members of the public.
Ability to “think outside the box”.
Requirements for Application

Cover Letter
Resume
Candidates are required to submit two recent writing samples personally authored in the last two years.
Supplemental Information
Current Location

City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney.