City Attorney Jobs in California
City Attorney jobs in California represent one of the most active municipal legal markets in the country, with demand concentrated in local government, public agencies, and regional authorities at every level from deputy or assistant city attorney through city attorney general counsel. Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego are the largest hiring hubs, anchored by employers such as the City of Los Angeles, the City of San Jose, and the County of San Diego. The most in-demand specialties include land use and zoning, labor and employment law, and municipal finance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary
Join the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office
The Santa Monica City Attorney's office seeks an attorney with at least seven years of experience to serve as a Deputy City Attorney in the Civil Litigation Division. The mission of the Santa Monica City Attorney is to do excellent legal work efficiently and cost-effectively. As advisors to City officials and staff, to provide timely and complete assistance. As advocates, to represent the City and its employees vigorously and fairly. As prosecutors, to diligently and justly enforce the law on behalf of the People of California.
Per the Santa Monica City Charter, the City Attorney’s Office represents and advises the City Council and all City officials pertaining to their official duties. The City Attorney’s Office also prosecutes criminal cases against those accused of committing state and local misdemeanor offenses. The City Attorney’s Office also defends the City, City employees, and Councilmembers in civil lawsuits.
The office currently consists of 26 attorneys and 21 administrative professionals and is part of the citywide Realignment Plan that is working to restore Santa Monica to one of the premiere destination cities in the region. As part of the Realignment Plan, in October 2025, the City Council adopted recommendations that included a series of new investments and policy actions designed to transition the City from organizational stabilization toward economic revitalization. Since the Plan was adopted more than six months ago, the City has delivered measurable results across its five strategic priorities.
The City Attorney’s Office is pleased to be well-positioned to sustain and grow its team in support of the City’s evolving needs.
Position Overview
Duties may include but are not limited to:
The attorney will defend the City and its employees in civil litigation primarily in personal injury, employment, and law enforcement related claims. The successful applicant will have a combination of required and preferred qualifications, including high ethical standards and effective litigation skills.
Required Qualifications:
- Civil litigation experience, including dispute resolution.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and exercise sound legal and strategic judgment under pressure.
- High ethical standards, professional integrity, and commitment to public service.
- Strong communication, advocacy, legal research and writing skills.
- Creative, strategic, and analytical thinking in legal matters, with a positive problem-solving attitude.
- Ability to work collegially with colleagues and clients.
- License to practice law in the State of California and familiarity with the California Code of Civil Procedure.
Preferred, But Not Required, Qualifications:
- Experience litigating cases in Federal Court.
- Jury Trial experience.
Work Schedule
Division work assignments are subject to change based on the operational needs and workload of the City Attorney’s Office overall. The hours of the position are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on alternate Fridays. This is a 9/80 work schedule. Hybrid remote work schedule is currently available but not guaranteed, with a minimum of three days in the office. Evening and weekend duties may be required to attend City Council meetings, and other public meetings or events.
Application Instructions and Compensation
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample of no more than ten pages, and the names of three references (will not be contacted prior to interview). These materials should be submitted in a single pdf document by email to CAO.Opportunities@santamonica.gov with the subject line: “Application – DCA, Civil Litigation Division.” Candidates must apply by Saturday, June 27, 2026, when consideration of applicants will begin.
A background check will be required prior to beginning employment. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience, excellent benefits.
Salary range is Deputy City Attorney II, Steps 1-5 $140,808 to $173,832 and Deputy City Attorney III, Steps 1-5, $218,124 to $269,292. This position is at will but part of the Public Attorneys Union.
Equal Opportunity Employer. See the EEO Policy on the City Attorney’s Office website.
Job Summary
Join the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office
The Santa Monica City Attorney's office seeks an attorney with at least seven years of experience to serve as a Deputy City Attorney in the Civil Litigation Division. The mission of the Santa Monica City Attorney is to do excellent legal work efficiently and cost-effectively. As advisors to City officials and staff, to provide timely and complete assistance. As advocates, to represent the City and its employees vigorously and fairly. As prosecutors, to diligently and justly enforce the law on behalf of the People of California.
Per the Santa Monica City Charter, the City Attorney’s Office represents and advises the City Council and all City officials pertaining to their official duties. The City Attorney’s Office also prosecutes criminal cases against those accused of committing state and local misdemeanor offenses. The City Attorney’s Office also defends the City, City employees, and Councilmembers in civil lawsuits.
The office currently consists of 26 attorneys and 21 administrative professionals and is part of the citywide Realignment Plan that is working to restore Santa Monica to one of the premiere destination cities in the region. As part of the Realignment Plan, in October 2025, the City Council adopted recommendations that included a series of new investments and policy actions designed to transition the City from organizational stabilization toward economic revitalization. Since the Plan was adopted more than six months ago, the City has delivered measurable results across its five strategic priorities.
The City Attorney’s Office is pleased to be well-positioned to sustain and grow its team in support of the City’s evolving needs.
Position Overview
Duties may include but are not limited to:
The attorney will defend the City and its employees in civil litigation primarily in personal injury, employment, and law enforcement related claims. The successful applicant will have a combination of required and preferred qualifications, including high ethical standards and effective litigation skills.
Required Qualifications:
- Civil litigation experience, including dispute resolution.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and exercise sound legal and strategic judgment under pressure.
- High ethical standards, professional integrity, and commitment to public service.
- Strong communication, advocacy, legal research and writing skills.
- Creative, strategic, and analytical thinking in legal matters, with a positive problem-solving attitude.
- Ability to work collegially with colleagues and clients.
- License to practice law in the State of California and familiarity with the California Code of Civil Procedure.
Preferred, But Not Required, Qualifications:
- Experience litigating cases in Federal Court.
- Jury Trial experience.
Work Schedule
Division work assignments are subject to change based on the operational needs and workload of the City Attorney’s Office overall. The hours of the position are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on alternate Fridays. This is a 9/80 work schedule. Hybrid remote work schedule is currently available but not guaranteed, with a minimum of three days in the office. Evening and weekend duties may be required to attend City Council meetings, and other public meetings or events.
Application Instructions and Compensation
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample of no more than ten pages, and the names of three references (will not be contacted prior to interview). These materials should be submitted in a single pdf document by email to CAO.Opportunities@santamonica.gov with the subject line: “Application – DCA, Civil Litigation Division.” Candidates must apply by Saturday, June 27, 2026, when consideration of applicants will begin.
A background check will be required prior to beginning employment. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience, excellent benefits.
Salary range is Deputy City Attorney II, Steps 1-5 $140,808 to $173,832 and Deputy City Attorney III, Steps 1-5, $218,124 to $269,292. This position is at will but part of the Public Attorneys Union.
Equal Opportunity Employer. See the EEO Policy on the City Attorney’s Office website.
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Find City Attorney JobsCity Attorney Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
City Attorney Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- City and County of San Francisco4
- CITY OF SANTA MONICA3
- Collabera1
Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector7
- Technology & Software1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in city attorney jobs across California.
- Active membership in the California State Bar in good standing
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Experience in municipal, public agency, or government law practice
- Knowledge of California municipal codes, the Brown Act, and public records law
- Ability to advise elected officials, boards, and city departments on legal matters
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills for California administrative and court proceedings
City Attorney Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a city attorney in California?
To become a city attorney in California, you must be an active member of the California State Bar, which requires passing the California Bar Examination administered by the State Bar of California and completing the Moral Character Determination process. Most positions also require a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and several years of practice in municipal, government, or public agency law. Some cities require prior experience as a deputy or assistant city attorney before appointing a city attorney.
How much do city attorneys make in California?
City attorneys in California earn a median of about $195,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,950 for the lowest 10% to over $369,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire city attorneys in California?
Employers hiring city attorneys in California right now include City and County of San Francisco, CITY OF SANTA MONICA, and Collabera, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large number of incorporated municipalities and special districts, from small general law cities to charter cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, creates a broad and steady base of public sector hiring across the state.
Which California cities have the most city attorney jobs?
San Francisco, Santa Monica, and California City have the most city attorney openings in California. Los Angeles generates the highest volume given the size and complexity of its city government and surrounding county agencies, while San Jose and San Diego reflect the demand driven by large charter city operations, regional authorities, and the concentration of public sector legal departments in those metro areas.
Are there remote city attorney jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 75% of city attorney openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that most municipal legal work requires in-person attendance at council meetings, hearings, and court proceedings. The portions of the role most suited to remote work include legal research, contract drafting, and written opinion preparation.
How can I get hired as a city attorney in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a deputy or assistant city attorney position, which large California municipalities such as Los Angeles, San Jose, and Sacramento regularly post for early-career attorneys who hold an active California Bar license. Lateral moves from adjacent roles in public agency law, county counsel offices, or special district legal departments are common entry points. Building experience in land use, labor law, or government contracts through a public law fellowship or a county counsel clerkship gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to city attorney jobs in California?
You can find and apply to city attorney jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty area, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 8 City Attorney Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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