Assistant City Attorney | Environmental, Contracts, and Utilities Section | 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
2026-00719
Department
Law Department
Opening Date
05/26/2026
Closing Date
6/9/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
Language Premium
No
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 is seeking qualified candidates for an Assistant City Attorney position in the Environmental, Contracts, and Utilities Section of the Civil Division. The Civil Division is organized into seven practice areas, or sections. The Environmental, Contracts, and Utilities Section advises all City Departments and elected officials regarding municipal contracts, municipal finance and bond issuances, real estate transactions, utilities, environmental law, and general business matters of the City. Attorneys in this Section provide legal services and advice at all stages of contract procurement, formulation, implementation, and enforcement, as well as representing and defending the City in litigation related to such transactions. The Section also provides general counsel services to the City's electric, water, wastewater, and solid waste utilities.
This position will advise and represent City departments, with a primary focus on capital projects, particularly in disputes, claims, mediation, informal settlements, and litigation stemming from City construction projects. In some cases, at the City Attorneys discretion, litigation will be handled by outside counsel; in which case, the attorney hired to fill this position will be responsible for managing outside counsel.
In addition to this opportunity to join a team dedicated to public service and to working collaboratively, the City Attorney's Office offers a generous benefits program that includes paid leave, paid parental and family leave, low-cost health benefits, and the opportunity to participate in a defined-benefit retirement program.
Job Responsibilities
Qualifications
Successful performance of the above-described responsibilities requires:
Additionally, the most successful candidates will have one or more of the following:
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 two months of offer of employment.
Additional Information
Application Process - For your application to be accepted, you must:
Complete the online City of Seattle Application
Include the following required attachments (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format):
Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.
Resume detailing your relevant experience.
A section of a brief, or a complete brief, not to exceed five pages, in which you served as the primary author.
Application Submission Guidelines - All applicants must submit their applications by the closing date indicated in the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email or on websites such as Indeed will not be considered unless the individual has applied for the position through the Government Jobs site. Note: The required documents listed in the "Application Process" section above must be attached to the application prior to the indicated job closing date to ensure consideration of the application. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at Law_HR@Seattle.gov on or before the closing date indicated above should you need assistance with the online application process.
Race and Social Justice Initiative - The City of Seattle recognizes that 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 can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
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:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov
01
Did you include all required documents with your application? (Cover Letter, Resume, and Legal Writing Sample)
02
Do you have two or more years of litigation experience at a law firm or government agency?
03
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?
04
If youre not an active member of WSBA, where are you in the process of obtaining membership?
05
If you are not an active member of WSBA, please list all states where you are currently or have previously been licensed.
06
Have you ever been or are you currently under investigation?
07
Have you ever been disciplined by the WSBA or any other State Bar Association?
08
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