City of Oakland
Salary :
$200,244.48 - $245,841.84 Annually Location :
Oakland, CA Job Type:
Full Time Exempt from Civil Service Job Number:
25-EM136-09 Department:
Office of the City Attorney Opening Date:
09/05/2025 Closing Date:
Continuous FLSA:
Exempt Bargaining Unit:
U41
The Position The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees. Salary Range:
$200,244.48 - $245,841.84 annually (Salary based upon experience) Benefits
:
Health, dental, vision, retirement, telecommuting, and other competitive benefits Initial Application Requirements:
Cover letter and resume Deadline to Apply:
Open until filled T
HE
P
OSITION The Office of the City Attorney seeks a highly qualified, innovative, and community-oriented experienced attorney who is committed to public service. This attorney will be a Deputy City Attorney V (DCA V), the most senior deputy city attorney classification, and will handle, oversee and coordinate the most complex cases and supervise other attorneys. This DCA V will:
Supervise the attorneys in the Community Lawyering and Civil Rights, Housing Justice Initiative, and Worker Protection units of the Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division, as well as other affirmative litigation attorneys; Collaborate with and mentor other attorneys; and Serve as team leader on a number of cases. The ideal candidate for this position will have expertise in affirmative litigation and advocacy, including but not limited to experience or subject matter expertise in:
Leading complex civil litigation in state and/or federal court, such as for other local, state, or federal government agencies, nonprofits, law firms, and/or unions Working with partner/peer governments, organizations, firms, and/or other stakeholders on significant cases, campaigns, and/or negotiations Some of the work of the Affirmative Litigation Division (e.g., workers' rights, tenants' rights, civil rights, public nuisance, environmental justice) State and/or local legislative and/or regulatory policy, processes, and analysis Management and supervision
In addition to the above, specific affirmative civil litigation experience involving constitutional law; climate justice; housing justice; economic justice; discrimination based on race, sex, or immigration status; unfair business practices; and/or consumer protection is desirable. Other beneficial knowledge and experience include: building and housing codes, blight and nuisance enforcement, foreclosed and vacant housing ordinances, advice to boards or commission and/or city councils or county boards or government departments or agencies; legislation and regulation drafting; administrative procedures, including administrative enforcement, remedies, and rule-making; other forms of litigation (including writs and appeals), and experience responding to press inquiries.
It is a plus for candidates to be familiar with federal, state, and local authority for local government(s) to bring affirmative cases. Regardless of its origin, the candidate's litigation experience should be sufficient to both directly handle complex affirmative litigation matters and to supervise and guide other attorneys.
The attorney will report to the Chief Assistant City Attorney and may receive general supervision from a Special Counsel, Chief Assistant City Attorney and/or the City Attorney. The City Attorney may assign the selected attorney to new, additional or different duties or practice areas in litigation, advice, or transactional work, including non- supervisory work.
Attorneys in this diverse and exciting Office and in this Division frequently work collaboratively with other attorneys, other City Departments, other municipalities and governmental institutions, and non-profits on a wide variety of issues. DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice and counsel to the City in areas including but not limited to land use, real estate, personnel, elections, conflicts of interest, municipal finance, retirement, housing, public contracting, and economic development. Services include drafting and reviewing contracts, legislation and other documents and potentially providing litigation services in the defense of ordinances and other administrative actions and in specialized areas including probate and bankruptcy. The City Attorney's Office provides counsel to the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, City Auditor, City departments, agencies and offices, and City boards and commissions, and various City-wide task forces. Incumbents perform a variety of professional legal duties involving civil municipal law issues.
The City Attorney's Office also advocates the City's interests in claims and lawsuits litigated in state and/or federal trial and appellate courts, including high-value personal injury cases, complex civil rights actions, breach of contract, personnel disputes, eminent domain actions, inverse condemnation and alleged constitutional violations. AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION DIVISION DESCRIPTION In 2016 City Attorney established the Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division to focus on social, racial, economic and environmental justice for Oakland residents and the People of California. The missions of the City Attorney's four Affirmative Litigation units - the Neighborhood Law Corps (NLC), the Housing Justice Initiative (HJI), the Community Lawyering and Civil Rights unit (CLCR), and the worker protection unit - all focus on injustices that impact Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, Asian / Pacific Islander, and other historically and/or presently marginalized communities.
The NLC is a longstanding community-facing unit that focuses on core life, health, and safety issues such as tenant protection, substandard housing, and public nuisance. There are five budgeted NLC attorneys; and they typically are relatively new to the practice of law. The NLC was established in 2002.
The HJI is dedicated to protecting marginalized Oakland tenants and preserving affordable housing in Oakland by enforcing tenants' legal rights. HJI was founded in 2020 and is typically staffed by two attorneys.
The Community Lawyering and Civil Rights unit is dedicated to advancing systemic rights and opportunities for historically and presently marginalized communities in Oakland by enforcing, strengthening, and creating laws responsive to those communities' needs, in furtherance of racial, economic, and environmental justice. CLCR was founded in 2016 and is typically staffed by at least two attorneys. The City Attorney also seeks to establish a Worker Protection unit. Currently, the division has up to two worker protection attorneys funded by a state grant who focus on enforcing local and state labor laws in areas such as wage theft, paid sick leave requirements, worker misclassification, and safe working conditions. JOB DESCRIPTION This position focuses on litigation, legislation, and policy work related to advancing racial, environmental, housing, economic, and other forms of justice in Oakland's diverse neighborhoods. We are seeking candidates who are highly motivated problem-solvers, able to communicate effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders inside and outside of the City, and who enjoy a high level of responsibility and dynamic practice.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: supervising other attorneys in litigation tasks (e.g., investigations; case evaluation; preparing pleadings; propounding and responding to discovery; taking and defending depositions; and preparing for and representing the City and/or the People of California in court, including settlement conferences, motions, at trial and on appeal), as well as performing those tasks themselves from time to time. The position may also require supervising attorneys on other, non-litigation projects (e.g., administrative enforcement of local ordinances, drafting of ordinances and resolutions, developing strategies to engage local civil society partners, and working closely with attorneys in a variety of public law offices), and may also require the attorney to perform those tasks themselves from time to time. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Leading teams in initiating and prosecuting complex civil litigation protecting the rights of Oakland, its residents, and its workers, including the constitutional and statutory rights against federal government overreach, as well as civil rights, consumer protection, public nuisance, workers' rights, environmental justice, and housing cases. Supervising other attorneys in litigating these types of cases. Coordinating litigation efforts with other governmental entities and/or nonprofits, including drafting and evaluating amicus briefs at the state and local level. Serving as a direct supervisor to at least seven attorneys and providing those attorneys with leadership, guidance, and technical expertise. Exercising sound judgment and clearly explaining legal advice to attorneys and lay people, defending legal analyses. Preparing, reviewing and overseeing legal opinions, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, contracts and other legal documents. Working closely with City administrators, elected officials and agency and department executives to ensure compliance with laws and City policies. Presenting reports to the Council in open and closed sessions. Reviewing staff reports and writing City Council reports. Handling administrative hearings and appeals. Evaluating federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals and advocating for Oakland's interests, including through written and in-person lobbying. Attendance at some evening and late-night meetings may be required.
Read the complete job description by clicking the link below: Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland! Minimum Requirements for Application
The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has broad discretion in filling positions in this classification.
Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Education :
Graduate of accredited school of law. Experience:
Ten years of professional experience in relevant areas of law.
License or Certificate / Other Requirements:
A member in good standing of the California State Bar. Incumbents in this position are required to maintain a valid California Driver's License during City employment or demonstrate the ability to travel to required locations in a timely manner. Due to assignments and hours or work, public transportation may not always be an efficient method for traveling to required locations. Should the candidate need accommodations or be ineligible for a Driver's License, the City Attorney's Office will work with the candidate to make such accommodations as appropriate.
Desirable Qualifications:
Interpret and apply various government codes and ordinances. Language skills, especially in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin. Working knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws, ordinances and codes affecting City government.
Supplemental Information What's in it for you?
Work/Life Balance:
37.5 hour work weeks 15 paid holidays Vacation:
2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service Retirement:
CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security Health:
The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans Dental:
Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents Vision:
VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents Sick leave:
Employees accrue 12 days per year Deferred Compensation:
457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k) plan Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Disaster Service Workers All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency. HOW TO APPLY
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY . You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs 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.
For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Mark Forte at The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*: •CalPERS Medical •Dental •Vision •Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu •Flexible Spending Accounts •Commuter Benefits •Group & Supplemental Life Insurance •Employee Assistance Program (EAP) •Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) •Pension Benefits •Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here:
$200,244.48 - $245,841.84 Annually Location :
Oakland, CA Job Type:
Full Time Exempt from Civil Service Job Number:
25-EM136-09 Department:
Office of the City Attorney Opening Date:
09/05/2025 Closing Date:
Continuous FLSA:
Exempt Bargaining Unit:
U41
The Position The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees. Salary Range:
$200,244.48 - $245,841.84 annually (Salary based upon experience) Benefits
:
Health, dental, vision, retirement, telecommuting, and other competitive benefits Initial Application Requirements:
Cover letter and resume Deadline to Apply:
Open until filled T
HE
P
OSITION The Office of the City Attorney seeks a highly qualified, innovative, and community-oriented experienced attorney who is committed to public service. This attorney will be a Deputy City Attorney V (DCA V), the most senior deputy city attorney classification, and will handle, oversee and coordinate the most complex cases and supervise other attorneys. This DCA V will:
Supervise the attorneys in the Community Lawyering and Civil Rights, Housing Justice Initiative, and Worker Protection units of the Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division, as well as other affirmative litigation attorneys; Collaborate with and mentor other attorneys; and Serve as team leader on a number of cases. The ideal candidate for this position will have expertise in affirmative litigation and advocacy, including but not limited to experience or subject matter expertise in:
Leading complex civil litigation in state and/or federal court, such as for other local, state, or federal government agencies, nonprofits, law firms, and/or unions Working with partner/peer governments, organizations, firms, and/or other stakeholders on significant cases, campaigns, and/or negotiations Some of the work of the Affirmative Litigation Division (e.g., workers' rights, tenants' rights, civil rights, public nuisance, environmental justice) State and/or local legislative and/or regulatory policy, processes, and analysis Management and supervision
In addition to the above, specific affirmative civil litigation experience involving constitutional law; climate justice; housing justice; economic justice; discrimination based on race, sex, or immigration status; unfair business practices; and/or consumer protection is desirable. Other beneficial knowledge and experience include: building and housing codes, blight and nuisance enforcement, foreclosed and vacant housing ordinances, advice to boards or commission and/or city councils or county boards or government departments or agencies; legislation and regulation drafting; administrative procedures, including administrative enforcement, remedies, and rule-making; other forms of litigation (including writs and appeals), and experience responding to press inquiries.
It is a plus for candidates to be familiar with federal, state, and local authority for local government(s) to bring affirmative cases. Regardless of its origin, the candidate's litigation experience should be sufficient to both directly handle complex affirmative litigation matters and to supervise and guide other attorneys.
The attorney will report to the Chief Assistant City Attorney and may receive general supervision from a Special Counsel, Chief Assistant City Attorney and/or the City Attorney. The City Attorney may assign the selected attorney to new, additional or different duties or practice areas in litigation, advice, or transactional work, including non- supervisory work.
Attorneys in this diverse and exciting Office and in this Division frequently work collaboratively with other attorneys, other City Departments, other municipalities and governmental institutions, and non-profits on a wide variety of issues. DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice and counsel to the City in areas including but not limited to land use, real estate, personnel, elections, conflicts of interest, municipal finance, retirement, housing, public contracting, and economic development. Services include drafting and reviewing contracts, legislation and other documents and potentially providing litigation services in the defense of ordinances and other administrative actions and in specialized areas including probate and bankruptcy. The City Attorney's Office provides counsel to the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, City Auditor, City departments, agencies and offices, and City boards and commissions, and various City-wide task forces. Incumbents perform a variety of professional legal duties involving civil municipal law issues.
The City Attorney's Office also advocates the City's interests in claims and lawsuits litigated in state and/or federal trial and appellate courts, including high-value personal injury cases, complex civil rights actions, breach of contract, personnel disputes, eminent domain actions, inverse condemnation and alleged constitutional violations. AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION DIVISION DESCRIPTION In 2016 City Attorney established the Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division to focus on social, racial, economic and environmental justice for Oakland residents and the People of California. The missions of the City Attorney's four Affirmative Litigation units - the Neighborhood Law Corps (NLC), the Housing Justice Initiative (HJI), the Community Lawyering and Civil Rights unit (CLCR), and the worker protection unit - all focus on injustices that impact Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, Asian / Pacific Islander, and other historically and/or presently marginalized communities.
The NLC is a longstanding community-facing unit that focuses on core life, health, and safety issues such as tenant protection, substandard housing, and public nuisance. There are five budgeted NLC attorneys; and they typically are relatively new to the practice of law. The NLC was established in 2002.
The HJI is dedicated to protecting marginalized Oakland tenants and preserving affordable housing in Oakland by enforcing tenants' legal rights. HJI was founded in 2020 and is typically staffed by two attorneys.
The Community Lawyering and Civil Rights unit is dedicated to advancing systemic rights and opportunities for historically and presently marginalized communities in Oakland by enforcing, strengthening, and creating laws responsive to those communities' needs, in furtherance of racial, economic, and environmental justice. CLCR was founded in 2016 and is typically staffed by at least two attorneys. The City Attorney also seeks to establish a Worker Protection unit. Currently, the division has up to two worker protection attorneys funded by a state grant who focus on enforcing local and state labor laws in areas such as wage theft, paid sick leave requirements, worker misclassification, and safe working conditions. JOB DESCRIPTION This position focuses on litigation, legislation, and policy work related to advancing racial, environmental, housing, economic, and other forms of justice in Oakland's diverse neighborhoods. We are seeking candidates who are highly motivated problem-solvers, able to communicate effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders inside and outside of the City, and who enjoy a high level of responsibility and dynamic practice.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: supervising other attorneys in litigation tasks (e.g., investigations; case evaluation; preparing pleadings; propounding and responding to discovery; taking and defending depositions; and preparing for and representing the City and/or the People of California in court, including settlement conferences, motions, at trial and on appeal), as well as performing those tasks themselves from time to time. The position may also require supervising attorneys on other, non-litigation projects (e.g., administrative enforcement of local ordinances, drafting of ordinances and resolutions, developing strategies to engage local civil society partners, and working closely with attorneys in a variety of public law offices), and may also require the attorney to perform those tasks themselves from time to time. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Leading teams in initiating and prosecuting complex civil litigation protecting the rights of Oakland, its residents, and its workers, including the constitutional and statutory rights against federal government overreach, as well as civil rights, consumer protection, public nuisance, workers' rights, environmental justice, and housing cases. Supervising other attorneys in litigating these types of cases. Coordinating litigation efforts with other governmental entities and/or nonprofits, including drafting and evaluating amicus briefs at the state and local level. Serving as a direct supervisor to at least seven attorneys and providing those attorneys with leadership, guidance, and technical expertise. Exercising sound judgment and clearly explaining legal advice to attorneys and lay people, defending legal analyses. Preparing, reviewing and overseeing legal opinions, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, contracts and other legal documents. Working closely with City administrators, elected officials and agency and department executives to ensure compliance with laws and City policies. Presenting reports to the Council in open and closed sessions. Reviewing staff reports and writing City Council reports. Handling administrative hearings and appeals. Evaluating federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals and advocating for Oakland's interests, including through written and in-person lobbying. Attendance at some evening and late-night meetings may be required.
Read the complete job description by clicking the link below: Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland! Minimum Requirements for Application
The following qualifications are guidelines, as the appointing authority has broad discretion in filling positions in this classification.
Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Education :
Graduate of accredited school of law. Experience:
Ten years of professional experience in relevant areas of law.
License or Certificate / Other Requirements:
A member in good standing of the California State Bar. Incumbents in this position are required to maintain a valid California Driver's License during City employment or demonstrate the ability to travel to required locations in a timely manner. Due to assignments and hours or work, public transportation may not always be an efficient method for traveling to required locations. Should the candidate need accommodations or be ineligible for a Driver's License, the City Attorney's Office will work with the candidate to make such accommodations as appropriate.
Desirable Qualifications:
Interpret and apply various government codes and ordinances. Language skills, especially in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin. Working knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws, ordinances and codes affecting City government.
Supplemental Information What's in it for you?
Work/Life Balance:
37.5 hour work weeks 15 paid holidays Vacation:
2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service Retirement:
CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security Health:
The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans Dental:
Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents Vision:
VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents Sick leave:
Employees accrue 12 days per year Deferred Compensation:
457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k) plan Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
Disaster Service Workers All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency. HOW TO APPLY
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.
APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY . You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs 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.
For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Mark Forte at The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*: •CalPERS Medical •Dental •Vision •Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu •Flexible Spending Accounts •Commuter Benefits •Group & Supplemental Life Insurance •Employee Assistance Program (EAP) •Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) •Pension Benefits •Deferred Compensation
* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Current MOUs may be reviewed here: