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 progress.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office seeks an attorney with experience in employment law and litigation to join eleven other Assistant City Attorneys, four paralegals, and two legal assistants in the Employment Section. Our attorneys play a critical role in advising on and litigating legal issues arising from Seattle’s diverse workforce of over 10,000 employees in various City departments. Employment Section attorneys are generalists in the field of labor and employment and handle all aspects of litigation in state court, federal court, and administrative forums.
The Employment Section’s day-to-day work is dynamic and fast-paced. Attorneys are responsible for all aspects of litigation, including crafting strategy, responding to and conducting discovery, preparing and arguing motions, conducting mediation and settlement negotiations, and taking cases to trial and through any appeal. We take a collaborative, team-oriented approach to litigation and advice work that is essential for building effective teams and relationships with City Departments and their leadership.
Responsibilities
Advice
- Act as legal counsel to City policy makers, departmental leadership, human resources professionals, and labor negotiators on complex labor and employment matters, often under time pressure.
- Advise City departments on labor and employment matters, including but not limited to: ADA accommodations, leaves of absence, employee relations, labor relations, wage and hour issues, EEO investigations, discipline, discrimination claims, collective bargaining obligations, and other city, state, and federal labor and employment laws.
- Prepare and deliver trainings for clients on employment law-related matters.
Litigation
- Appear and represent the City in litigation before federal court, state court, and administrative agencies, as well as in labor arbitrations.
- Draft and respond to written interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
- Manage eDiscovery, and with paralegal support, collect, organize, assess, and produce electronically stored information in a manner that complies with court rules and ethical obligations;
- Take witness testimony and prepare witnesses for testifying at depositions, trials, arbitrations, and before other administrative agencies.
- Draft motions for summary judgment and conduct other motion practice as required.
- Mediate cases, including formulating strategy, drafting mediation statements, and advising City Departments and the City Attorney on settlement.
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
- Manage and oversee outside counsel as needed, including but not limited to managing the budget, assisting with litigation strategy, reviewing pleadings and other documents, and facilitating discovery.
Qualifications
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 four (4) months of an offer of employment.
Additionally, this role requires the following:
- Expertise in state and federal employment law. Expertise in traditional labor law and wage and hour law is also desired.
- Recent experience and expertise in litigating labor and employment matters, including the ability to first-chair complex litigation and appeals.
- Experience advising HR professionals, managers, executives, and/or elected officials on complex and nuanced employment and labor issues. Experience advising public employers, including public safety clients, is also desired.
- Fluency in translating legal advice into practical, risk-balanced advice.
- Experience in advising clients on the development and application of policies and practices related to equity.
- Ability to independently manage a litigation and advice portfolio by meeting deadlines, identifying and adapting priorities, effective communications with clients and opposing counsel, quickly assessing employment-related scenarios, and navigating a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with clients and colleagues, including the ability to develop and maintain credibility and trust with all internal partners.
- Ability to work effectively on a variety of teams, including self-managed litigation teams where shared responsibility, accountability, open communication, and collaborative problem-solving are critical.
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines set by courts and clients.
- Strong work ethic, professional integrity, and compliance with City and legal ethics rules
- Excellent legal writing and oral communication skills
Application Process
Application Process – For your application to be accepted, you must:
- Complete the online City of Seattle Application
- Include the following required attachments:
- Cover Letter describing your interest in the position. (.pdf preferred, .doc, or .docx acceptable)
- Resume detailing your relevant experience. (.pdf preferred, .doc, or .docx acceptable)
- Provide a legal writing sample that is less than 10 pages. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.
Application Submission Guidelines – All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site. Note: The required documents listed in the above “Application Process” section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.
Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes 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 Attorney’s Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. For example, the 2025 annual salary is $116,134 for someone with up to one year of experience, $157,727 for someone with ten years of experience, and $181,280 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.
Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays, 2 floating holidays, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. This position is also eligible for executive and merit leave. The City also has several paid and unpaid leave programs that may be available for eligible employees, such as paid parental leave and paid family care leave. Employees also have the opportunity to enroll in a defined benefit retirement program and/or a voluntary deferred compensation plan. Information and details of benefits offered by the City 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 Attorney’s 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 Attorney’s Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.
Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.
