Description

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. 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 Torts Section is seeking candidates for an Assistant City Attorney to represent the City. This litigation position provides legal representation and advice to the City in personal injury, property damage, and other matters. This attorney will be an integral member of the Civil Division, working collaboratively to provide the City of Seattle and its residents with excellent quality and cost-effective legal services.
 
The Torts Section litigates and advises on a broad range of topics.  Section litigation ranges from straightforward arbitrations to complex multi-party lawsuits and appellate matters. Recent legal work in this section includes litigation and advice regarding road design, protests, roadway defects, automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, falls, sewage backups, fallen power lines, stormwater drainage, timber trespass, construction, and ADA compliance. The person hired will be responsible for all aspects of litigation, including pre-filing advice, discovery, depositions, motions practice, trial, appeals, and settlement discussions. Attorneys in Torts typically manage a varied caseload and work independently and collaboratively with other section attorneys and staff as needed. While most of the section's litigation work involves defending the City, section attorneys may also represent the City in plaintiffs' litigation on select property damage cases.  

Torts Section attorneys regularly advise City departments and employees regarding risk management and avoidance as they develop programs, projects, and policies.  This attorney will also consult with the City's Risk Management division regarding pre-litigation claims filed against the City pursuant to RCW 4.92.100.
 
The Torts Section is excited to add a colleague to a team of nine other attorneys, two paralegals, and two legal assistants.  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 insurance, life insurance, paid leave, paid parental and family leave, and the opportunity to participate in a defined-benefit retirement program.

This opportunity will remain open until we identify the ideal candidate.

Requirements

The attorney hired for this position will have the opportunity to thoroughly research legal issues and to collaborate regularly with dedicated colleagues and clients. The successful candidate should also expect to take a lead role on cases shortly after joining the office. 
  
Job Tasks include:

• Defending the City in civil litigation, including trials
• Advising City departments regarding risk-related issues
• Investigating claims and analyzing liability
• Taking and defending depositions
• Legal research regarding a wide variety of topics, including torts, municipal law, premises liability, civil rights, and other matters
• Advising clients
• Collaborating with colleagues in the CAO
• Identifying and working with needed experts
• Case valuation, including review of medical records
• Developing expertise in new and developing areas of the law
• Participation in the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism and race-based disparities in City government

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
• Capability to handle complex assignments independently and a wide variety of tasks simultaneously
• Litigation experience with the demonstrated ability to take on a lead role on cases shortly after joining the office
• Experience with personal injury litigation, property damage litigation, the Washington Civil Rules, or electronic discovery
• Prior work preparing expert and lay witnesses for deposition and trial
• Prior civil motions practice or trial experience
• The willingness to work collaboratively with a team to find creative solutions

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 2 months of the offer of employment.