Assistant Attorney; Special Projects | Administrative Division

Overview

Position Description

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 that working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our community partners is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office is seeking a candidate to be assigned to report directly to the Seattle City Attorney to research and develop litigation projects as assigned, assist in the implementation of specific policy initiatives, and liaise directly with community groups and stakeholders on issues relating to federal affairs, civil rights, tenant services, worker protections, and environmental protection.

The Special Projects Attorney will be responsible for tracking and monitoring federal policy developments, news, and public opinion regarding current and emerging issues to assist the Seattle City Attorney’s Executive Leadership Team in developing timely and informed policy and litigation positions and responses. This position will also promote vibrant governmental, stakeholder, and community partnerships by supporting coordination and insight to community organizations facing challenges due to federal overreach.

This position provides efficient, effective, and ethical legal representation that maximizes the effect of the City Attorney’s work to collaborate, innovate, and proactively protect the rights of the Seattleites we serve. The Special Projects Attorney will regularly update office leadership on developing policy issues that may impact the City’s operations and the foundational rights of the Seattle public, including making recommendations for, and assisting in the development of investigations or enforcement matters.

This position may serve as a member of, or consultant to, teams working on investigations or litigation related to the Special Projects Attorney’s policy work.

Besides the opportunity to join a team dedicated to public service, the City Attorney's Office offers a generous benefits program that includes paid parental and family leave, low-cost health benefits, and the opportunity to participate in a defined retirement program.

In addition to the objectives described above, the Special Projects Attorney should:

• Timely and effectively handle an assigned workload, including research, analysis, and tracking of legislative and policy developments at the state and federal levels.
• Conduct policy and legal research using all available tools as necessary for assigned work and client advice.
• Compose, review, and offer comments on briefs, letters, memoranda, model policies, and other documents that relate to assigned policy issues, including filings to be submitted in litigation and letters to be submitted to the U.S. Congress or officials in the federal Executive Branch.
• Keep the City Attorney timely informed of significant developments on policy issues and progress on emerging issues, including matters being innovated by other states, local jurisdictions, or the federal government.
• Coordinate, attend, and facilitate outreach opportunities with stakeholders from all walks of life. Build and strengthen the office’s intra-governmental and extra-governmental relationships to emphasize effective partnerships and maximize coordination on issues relating to federal overreach.
• Make presentations to internal and external audiences, including outreach and educational presentations, that are appropriately tailored to the audience and goals.
• Be available to respond to internal or external inquiries, including media inquiries, through coordination with the City Attorney's Communications Director.
• Identify and recommend cases for investigation and/or enforcement that further the City Attorney’s goals to protect…