Senior Litigator (Assistant City Attorney V)

Assistant City Attorney V – Senior Litigator

The City Attorney's Office is seeking an exceptional and highly experienced litigation attorney to serve as Assistant City Attorney V – Senior Litigator.

This position offers the opportunity to lead complex, high-impact litigation on behalf of a major California coastal city. The Senior Litigator will handle significant civil litigation matters involving constitutional law, federal civil rights claims, public safety liability, and other high-exposure cases affecting municipal governance and operations.

Unlike many government litigation positions that rely heavily on outside counsel, the City Attorney's Office actively litigates its own cases, providing the successful candidate with substantial courtroom responsibility and the opportunity to serve as lead trial counsel in both state and federal courts.

The Senior Litigator will independently manage a sophisticated litigation docket and play a central role in shaping the City's litigation strategy and risk management approach.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading complex civil litigation matters from initial investigation through trial and appeal
• Strategic case evaluation and litigation planning
• Conducting written discovery and depositions
• Law and motion practice, including dispositive and constitutional motions
• Trial preparation and first-chair trial work in jury and bench trials
• Appellate briefing and oral argument when appropriate
• Advising City leadership and departments regarding litigation risk and strategy
• Coordinating and supervising outside counsel when retained for specialized matters

Why Join The City Attorney's Office

• Substantial courtroom and trial opportunities
• A sophisticated and diverse litigation practice
• Direct engagement with City leadership and policy makers
• A collaborative and supportive legal team
• The opportunity to help shape legal strategy for a dynamic coastal city

Salary & Benefits

• CalPERS retirement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Deferred compensation (457 plan)
• Flexible spending account
• Life and disability insurance
• Continuing legal educations and professional development opportunities

Employment Standards – Requirements

• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of litigation experience
• Extensive experience handling complex litigation in federal court
• Significant experience defending claims brought under 42 U.S.C. §1983
• Demonstrated experience serving as lead counsel in jury trials
• Strong motion practice experience, including summary judgment and qualified immunity motions
• Excellent legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to independently manage complex litigation while working collaboratively with attorneys and City departments.

Selection Process

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment. Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Additional Information

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Open & Continuous Recruitment: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.

Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.