Assistant City Attorney, Employment | Civil Division

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 healing.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office seeks an attorney with experience in employment law and litigation to join ten 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 setting strategy, discovery, preparing and arguing motions, overseeing mediation and settlement, 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. Employment attorneys implement the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative in all aspects of their work.

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 employment matters, including but not limited to: ADA accommodations, leaves of absence, employee relations, labor relations, the FLSA, EEO investigations, discrimination claims, and other city, state, and federal labor and employment laws.

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 drafting mediation statements and advising City Departments and the City Attorney on settlement.
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.

Race and Social Justice

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 is also desired. 
• Experience 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. 
• Experience in applying policies and practices related to equity.
• Ability to independently manage a portfolio by meeting deadlines, identifying and adapting priorities, and navigating a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines set by courts and clients.

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 prior to 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.

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 that is less than 10 pages. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.  

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 – 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, $160,650 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 – The Seattle City Attorney’s Office has implemented an Alternative Work Arrangements Policy.  Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days in the office, and 3 days remote for full-time employees). This is subject to change as business needs require.

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. 

Salary : $116,135 - $186,897