Job Description

THE POSITION

The Office of the City Attorney seeks a highly qualified, innovative, and community-oriented attorney who is interested in public service for the position of Neighborhood Law Corps Attorney. California Bar required.

ABOUT THE OFFICE

The City Attorney’s Office provides advice and counsel to the Mayor, City Council, and

all City departments, boards and commissions in a wide variety of areas spanning the range of

municipal law, including but not limited to, land use, real estate, personnel, elections, conflicts of

interest, municipal finance, retirement, housing, public contracting and economic development.

The City Attorney’s Office also advocates for the City’s interests in claims and lawsuits litigated

in state or federal court, including high-value personal injury cases, complex civil rights actions,

breach of contract, personnel disputes, eminent domain actions, inverse condemnation and alleged

Constitutional violations.

The Office has approximately 82 employees and three legal divisions: Advisory, General and Complex Litigation, and Affirmative Litigation, Enforcement and Innovation. The Advisory Division includes the Land Use & Planning, Real Estate, General Government & Finance, Labor & Employment, and Code Enforcement units. The General and Complex Litigation Division includes defensive litigators and the Law & Motion/Writs & Appeals unit. The Affirmative Litigation, Enforcement and Innovation Division includes the Community Lawyering and Civil Rights, Neighborhood Law Corps and Housing Justice Initiative units. The work is high profile, dynamic, collaborative, and complex. The work is also of vital importance to the City’s realization of its progressive and cutting-edge policies and programs, and to the City’s delivery of services to Oakland’s residents and businesses.

JOB DUTIES

This position focuses on litigation and problem-solving related to blight, nuisance, and improving the quality of life in Oakland’s diverse neighborhoods. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: case evaluation, preparing pleadings, propounding and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, preparing for and representing the City in court, including settlement conferences, motions, and at trial. Attendance at evening and weekend community meetings is required on an as-needed basis. The incumbent will work for the City of Oakland under the supervision of a senior attorney.

The Neighborhood Law Corps (NLC) is a unique, innovative, and award-winning community law program that focuses on proactive, neighborhood-based, and community-directed lawyering. The program – described as a cross between Legal Aid and the Peace Corps – brings legal resources and remedies into Oakland's diverse neighborhoods to address issues affecting quality of life in those communities.

The NLC attorney position is in the Affirmative Litigation, Enforcement and Innovation Division of the City Attorney’s Office. NLC attorneys focus on combating blight, human trafficking, public safety, tenant protection, and other important community concerns and quality of life issues by performing litigation, policy work, and other actions. The position is responsible for representing the City in state and federal courts and will provide significant litigation-related experience.

While the NLC represents the City of Oakland, it works in collaboration with residents, neighborhood and merchant groups, and other public agencies.

This is a 2-year at-will position.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION

We are seeking candidates who are highly motivated problem-solvers, able to communicate effectively with diverse communities, and who enjoy a high level of responsibility. We will consider new California barred law school graduates, recent federal or state law clerks, and attorneys with practice experience.

Prior litigation experience, a background in municipal law, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law are desirable, as are superior legal research, writing, and oral argument skills.

Foreign language skills – especially in Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin – are a plus and will be a factor in selecting a candidate for the position.

The applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school and a member in good standing of the California State Bar at the time of hire. The successful applicant also will be asked to submit to and pass a background check.

HOW TO APPLY

This is a continuous recruitment. This recruitment may close without notice at any time. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.

Candidates selected to proceed in the hiring process will be asked to submit additional

information (e.g., a writing sample, references, answers to supplemental questions, and a

formal City of Oakland employment application). If you have questions about the position, email jobs@oaklandcityattorney.org.

Deadline to Apply: Open until filled

Salary Range: $62,292.00 to $86,518.08 annually

Benefits: Health, dental, vision, pension, potential telecommuting opportunities, professional development allowance and other competitive benefits

The City of Oakland is an Equal Opportunity / ADA employer

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