Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney
Supervising Attorney
Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Supervising Attorney – Police Litigation Unit
About Us
The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is one of the nation’s largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the office provides the City with the highest caliber legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors to defending civil lawsuits and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California.
Description The Police Litigation Unit (PLU) defends the City and individual LAPD officers in civil lawsuits brought under federal law (typically 42 U.S.C. 1983) and state tort law. Cases involve allegations of constitutional violations of the 1st, 4th, and 14th Amendments, claims of excessive force, false arrest, illegal search and seizure, or other violations of civil rights. In addition to trying cases, trial attorneys are responsible for all pretrial phases of litigation, including law and motion, depositions and discovery, mediation, and frequent interaction with LAPD personnel. Litigation is primarily in the United States District Court and California Superior Courts.
Duties And Responsibilities
Participate in the daily oversight, supervision, and mentoring of attorneys, paralegals, and staff, providing hands‑on support and guidance to all employees in PLU.
Assist attorneys with settlements, mediations, motions, depositions, trials, and other court proceedings as necessary.
Meet regularly with the Branch Chief, Assistant Branch Chief, Chief Deputy, City Attorney, and other Executive Office members to discuss ongoing litigation and personnel issues.
Respond to inquiries from attorneys, agencies, and departments regarding pending litigation or training issues, developing and maintaining strong, collaborative employee and client relations.
Participate in personnel matters for attorneys and support staff, including disciplinary matters, evaluations, and performance reviews.
Work closely with paralegals and the Support Staff Supervisor to ensure effective processing of case files and discovery matters, keeping the case management system up to date.
Collaborate with the LAPD Liaison supervisors to maintain a cohesive relationship between investigators and attorneys.
Requirements
Licensed to practice law in all courts of the State of California and in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Ten (10) years of litigation experience, including significant jury trial experience.
Experience litigating cases in both state and federal court.
Significant knowledge of laws applicable to police conduct, including 42 U.S.C. 1983.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Excellent litigation and case evaluation skills.
Desired Qualifications
Experience supervising attorneys and support staff, with strong leadership and managerial skills.
Ability to review and analyze a police litigation matter, identifying strengths and weaknesses and determining the best path forward.
Ability to determine whether a case should be settled and, if so, the reasonable settlement value.
Experience resolving and advising on complex and/or sensitive matters.
Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental executive management and personnel, and members of the public.
Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and concurrently complete multiple assignments.
Application Materials
Cover Letter
Resume
Two recent writing samples personally composed within the last two years.
Location City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within the County of Los Angeles.
Probation Appointment to this exempt position (non‑Civil Service) will be subject to a two‑year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successfully completing this probationary period will result in tenure with the office.
Classification Internal applicants: Placement in this position will be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification.
Application Deadline Deadline to apply is Monday, November 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org.
AS A COVERED ENTITY UNDER TITLE 7 OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY AND, UPON REQUEST, WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES. TO REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION AT (213) 978-7160.
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The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is one of the nation’s largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the office provides the City with the highest caliber legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors to defending civil lawsuits and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California.
Description The Police Litigation Unit (PLU) defends the City and individual LAPD officers in civil lawsuits brought under federal law (typically 42 U.S.C. 1983) and state tort law. Cases involve allegations of constitutional violations of the 1st, 4th, and 14th Amendments, claims of excessive force, false arrest, illegal search and seizure, or other violations of civil rights. In addition to trying cases, trial attorneys are responsible for all pretrial phases of litigation, including law and motion, depositions and discovery, mediation, and frequent interaction with LAPD personnel. Litigation is primarily in the United States District Court and California Superior Courts.
Duties And Responsibilities
Participate in the daily oversight, supervision, and mentoring of attorneys, paralegals, and staff, providing hands‑on support and guidance to all employees in PLU.
Assist attorneys with settlements, mediations, motions, depositions, trials, and other court proceedings as necessary.
Meet regularly with the Branch Chief, Assistant Branch Chief, Chief Deputy, City Attorney, and other Executive Office members to discuss ongoing litigation and personnel issues.
Respond to inquiries from attorneys, agencies, and departments regarding pending litigation or training issues, developing and maintaining strong, collaborative employee and client relations.
Participate in personnel matters for attorneys and support staff, including disciplinary matters, evaluations, and performance reviews.
Work closely with paralegals and the Support Staff Supervisor to ensure effective processing of case files and discovery matters, keeping the case management system up to date.
Collaborate with the LAPD Liaison supervisors to maintain a cohesive relationship between investigators and attorneys.
Requirements
Licensed to practice law in all courts of the State of California and in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Ten (10) years of litigation experience, including significant jury trial experience.
Experience litigating cases in both state and federal court.
Significant knowledge of laws applicable to police conduct, including 42 U.S.C. 1983.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Excellent litigation and case evaluation skills.
Desired Qualifications
Experience supervising attorneys and support staff, with strong leadership and managerial skills.
Ability to review and analyze a police litigation matter, identifying strengths and weaknesses and determining the best path forward.
Ability to determine whether a case should be settled and, if so, the reasonable settlement value.
Experience resolving and advising on complex and/or sensitive matters.
Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental executive management and personnel, and members of the public.
Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and concurrently complete multiple assignments.
Application Materials
Cover Letter
Resume
Two recent writing samples personally composed within the last two years.
Location City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within the County of Los Angeles.
Probation Appointment to this exempt position (non‑Civil Service) will be subject to a two‑year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successfully completing this probationary period will result in tenure with the office.
Classification Internal applicants: Placement in this position will be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification.
Application Deadline Deadline to apply is Monday, November 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org.
AS A COVERED ENTITY UNDER TITLE 7 OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY AND, UPON REQUEST, WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES. TO REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION AT (213) 978-7160.
#J-18808-Ljbffr