Attorney

Overview

THE CITY OF NAPA IS HIRING A CITY ATTORNEY!

APPLY IMMEDIATELY – OPEN UNTIL FILLED. This recruitment will close once a strong pool of candidates is established. Applications must be submitted directly through Mosaic Public Partners.

This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished municipal law leader to serve as the City of Napa’s chief legal advisor while rebuilding and shaping the City Attorney’s Office for the future. The City has transitioned from contracted legal services and is bringing its legal function in-house under a new City Attorney. The new City Attorney will have the opportunity to hire staff and lead a high-performing municipal law office aligned with Napa’s values, operations, and long-term goals.

This role requires a hands-on leader who balances legal rigor with practical problem solving to protect the City’s interests while enabling effective governance, modernized processes, and organizational momentum.

Napa is in Northern California’s wine country, about an hour from the Bay Area. The city has a population around 78,000–80,000, a median household income over $100,000, and a median age near 41. It features 26 neighborhoods, a thriving wine industry, a culinary scene with Michelin-starred and farm-to-table venues, and a high quality of life with a walkable downtown and access to nature.

Community life is vibrant and inclusive, with a diverse population and a strong civic fabric. Napa offers regional access and a lifestyle that blends work and play, with opportunities to contribute to a growing and evolving community.

The City of Napa operates under a Council–Manager form of government with a five-member City Council. The Mayor is elected  City Manager serves as the chief executive officer. The city provides services through 11 departments and a  budget of approximately $310 million, with about 518 full-time equivalent positions.

The City Attorney’s Office provides legal advice and support to City officials, staff, and boards, representing the City in civil litigation and administrative proceedings. The office advises on actions to establish, implement, and enforce City laws and policies, and prepares legal documents including ordinances, resolutions, regulations, and contracts. The City relates to entities such as the Housing Authority of the City of Napa and the Public Financing Authority of the Napa Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District.

The office has a budget of $1.9 million and a staff of six:
City Attorney, two Assistant City Attorneys, a Deputy City Attorney, a Legal Analyst, and a Legal Assistant.

The City Attorney serves as the chief legal adviser to the City, reporting to the City Council and acting as a member of the executive leadership team. The role oversees the full scope of legal services for the City, including civil litigation, administrative hearings, and risk management. It provides counsel to the City Council, City Manager, City departments, and various boards and commissions, and collaborates with external counsel, partner agencies, and the community.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leading and managing the City Attorney’s Office, including strategic oversight of legal operations.
• Advising the City Council and staff on complex legal issues and emerging risks.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and development agreements.
• Supporting major initiatives with practical legal insight that balances risk, policy goals, and operations.
• Representing the City in legal proceedings and administrative matters and overseeing outside counsel as needed.
• Ensuring legal compliance across City operations through proactive counsel, education, and policy development.
• Serving as a resource and educator to City staff and officials through in-house training and updates.

The City seeks a trusted municipal-law advisor and organizational leader with strong expertise, sound judgment, and a collaborative management style. The ideal candidate will serve as a steady legal guardian and practical partner to the City Council, executive team, and…