The Chief Deputy City Attorney serves as the City Attorney’s right-hand person and the operational leader of the City Attorney’s Office - Civil Division. This position is responsible for the day-to-day management, strategic direction, and operational excellence, and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality legal services to the City leadership and departments. 

Acting as the City Attorney’s right hand, the Chief Deputy City Attorney oversees attorney and administrative staff, manages performance and discipline, leads cultural and operational change initiatives, and ensures collaboration across legal practice areas. The role also serves as a primary backup to the City Attorney, including representing the office at City Council meetings and engaging directly with City Council when the City Attorney is unavailable. The Chief Deputy City Attorney will oversee the Civil Division, which is comprised of 34 FTEs and an FY26 operating budget of $6,417,761

The position has direct oversight of the City’s in-house litigation team, consisting of eight litigators who handle approximately 90% of all City lawsuits internally. The Chief Deputy City Attorney plays a critical role in risk evaluation, litigation strategy, and high-profile or sensitive legal matters.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Act as a Leader of Change by proactively supporting and implementing the culture change strategy within their team

• Continuously challenge the status quo of how to conduct business with clients and - together with their team- develop solutions to improve productivity and client satisfaction

• Lead and develop direct reports by providing regular coaching and feedback on performance and work product (i.e.,ordinances, resolutions,contractsand legalopinions), as well as regular training and developmental learning opportunities

• Set clearobjectivesand action plans for and with direct reports

• Establish accountability through regular performance review meetings

• Address employee performance deficiencies with high sense of urgencyin order todrive results

• Implement disciplinary actions as needed

• Foster teamwork through regular team meetings, sharing best practices, peer coaching and solving legal issues affecting the team's clients

• Keep City Attorney informed and involved as needed on critical legal issues and decisions affecting the City

• Perform duties as an Assistant City Attorney by providing legal services and advice to members of the Client Group(s) as assigned; this may include litigation, preparation of legal documents and opinions, generaladviceand review of client policies

• Supervision of 25 or more attorneys and administrative staff

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the City Attorney on legal, operational, and policy matters andpossesthe ability to fulfill the role and responsibilities of supervision and interaction with the City Council when the City Attorney is unavailable

• Oversee the development, implementation, and review of department policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure legal compliance and professional excellence

• Review and assign complex legal matters, ensuringequitabledistribution of work and alignment with attorneyexpertiseand departmental priorities

• Lead and mentor supervising attorneys and administrative supervisors to develop leadership capacity and promote a culture of accountability, inclusion, and professional development

• Evaluate risk and provide strategic legal counsel on high-profile or sensitive matters, including litigation, contracts, ordinances, and personnel decisions

• Performs other related duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover orcontaina comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that arerequired ofthe employee. Duties,responsibilities,and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that