With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff employees, 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. The 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 Civil Enforcement Section is part of the Civil Division and has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant City Attorney position. The Section handles City code enforcement matters and collections for City departments, such as the Department of Construction and Inspections, the Fire Department, and the Department of Transportation. This position involves a balance of litigation and advice work. Code enforcement work may include nuisance actions involving private property, and actions for City code violations, such as the Building Code, Residential Code, Environmentally Critical Areas Code, Tree Protection, Shoreline Code, and Fire Code. Collections work typically involves recovery for damage done to City property. The selected applicant will represent the City in arbitrations, appeals before the Seattle Hearing Examiner, and litigation in both Seattle Municipal and King County Superior Court.
The selected applicant should expect to take a lead role on cases shortly after joining the office and will be responsible for all aspects of litigation including pre-filing advice, discovery, depositions, motions practice, trial/hearing, appeals, and settlement discussions. In performing these duties, the selected applicant will have the opportunity to thoroughly research issues and collaborate with dedicated colleagues and clients regularly.
In addition to providing an excellent opportunity for public service, the City Attorney’s Office offers a generous benefits program that includes low-cost health benefits, life insurance, paid leave benefits, paid parental and family leave, and the opportunity to participate in a defined benefit retirement program.
Responsibilities
Job Tasks include:
- Assist City officials and City departments by providing legal review and analysis regarding investigations of potential code violations and enforcement options.
- Advise City departments and City officials on collection matters.
- Conduct legal research on various topics including constitutional issues, municipal law, code enforcement, and collections.
- Engage in all aspects of discovery including interrogatories, requests for production, and depositions.
- Represent the City in court and before the Hearing Examiner at motion hearings, trials and appeals.
- Draft and negotiate settlements and enforce previously executed settlement agreements.
- Collaborate with colleagues in the Civil Enforcement Section and other sections in the City Attorney’s Office.
Qualifications
To be successful in this role, the selected candidate will need the knowledge and skills gained by experience working as an attorney, including:
- Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
- Experience in land use code enforcement, regulatory enforcement, municipal code enforcement, and/or collections experience.
- Minimum of two years’ experience in civil litigation, including discovery and handling arbitrations, administrative hearings, and/or actions in Washington Courts.
- Demonstrated ability to assume a lead role on cases shortly after joining the office and the ability to manage cases and litigation tasks independently
- Demonstrated ability to learn and apply a new area of law.
This position requires membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or current licensure in another state with the ability to complete the process of obtaining Washington Bar membership within 2 months of the offer of employment.
Application Process
Application Process – For your application to be accepted you must:
- Complete the online City Application.
- Attach a resume detailing your relevant experience.
- Attach a cover letter describing your interest in the position.
- Provide a legal writing sample of less than 10 pages and where you were the primary author. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.
Closing Date: The due date for application materials is Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Application Submission Guidelines — All applicants must 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.
The required documents listed in the above “Application Process” section must be attached to the application before the job closing date indicated to ensure full 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. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
Compensation and Benefits – Salaries of Assistant City Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. Full Range: $116,130 – $186,889. For example, the 2025 annual salary is $116,130 for someone with up to one year of experience, $160,653 for someone with ten years of experience, and $181,282 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.
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. City Attorney’s Office employees can 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 Attorney’s Office has an Alternative Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days in the office, 3 days remote). Effective Monday, April 21st, 2025, the Alternative Work Arrangement Policy will require 3 days in the office with the option of 2 days remote. This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.
Background Check Requirements (Excluding Civil positions) – All positions are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
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, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Seattle City Attorney’s Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.