ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY

About the role

The Assistant City Attorney performs advanced professional legal work in support of the City Attorney’s Office, focusing on civil municipal law, legal advisory services, related litigation, and administrative matters.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel to City officials and staff.
• Drafts, reviews, and revises legal documents.
• Represents the City in civil litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Affords assistance with the management and operations of the City Attorney’s Office.
• Develops legal and operational strategies.
• Manages daily office functions.
• Reviews budget and financial information.
• Supports relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, and other key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in civil litigation, municipal law, or related public agency legal work.
• Desirable experience in municipal advisory practice, public agency litigation, land use and planning, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), public contracting and procurement, Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, labor and employment law, ethics, and conflict-of-interest law.
• Supervision of legal staff or coordination of outside counsel.
• Knowledge of legal office administration, personnel management, and the principles and practices of effective supervision.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Skills

• Sound independent judgment.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Navigate politically sensitive issues professionally.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Build collaborative working relationships.
• Provide practical legal guidance and training to City departments.
• Represent the City in negotiations, administrative proceedings, and civil litigation.

Benefits

The City of Torrance offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. Benefits may include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

Pay

Monthly Salary Range $18,967 (Minimum) - $22,760 (Reference) - $26,174 (Maximum) monthly plus benefits.

Schedule

Typical office hours include a 9/80 compressed work week schedule from Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed on alternate Fridays. Staff is also required to work some off Fridays, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary in order to complete various duties.