Mid Level City Attorney Jobs
Mid level city attorney jobs go to attorneys ready to own litigation files, lead negotiations, and advise departments with minimal partner oversight. Most openings are 50% on-site or hybrid across Government & Public Sector, with employers like City of Philadelphia, PA, City of Las Cruces, and CITY OF SANTA MONICA hiring at this level now.
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Job Summary
Deputy City Attorney II-III – Criminal Prosecution Division
Annual Salary: DCA II Steps 1-5 $143,628 - $177,312
Annual Salary: DCA III Steps 1-5 $222,492 - $274,680
Work Schedule: 5/40 schedule M-Friday
Hybrid Work: Currently available
Application Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026
Benefits: Comprehensive City benefits package
Employment Status: At-will position represented by the Public Attorneys Union
Join the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office as a Deputy in the Criminal Division.
The Santa Monica City Attorney's Office seeks an attorney with three to five years of criminal prosecution experience to join its Criminal Prosecution Division.
The City Attorney’s Office Criminal Prosecution Division handles all misdemeanors and municipal code violations that occur in the City of Santa Monica. These charges include driving under the influence, domestic violence, vehicular manslaughter, theft, and quality of life crimes such as camping in public, being in the park after dark, and loitering in a parking structure. The Division also works with the Santa Monica Police Department and Human Service Division to create diversion programs that may limit exposure to the criminal justice system.
The successful applicant will have a combination of required and preferred qualifications, including high ethical standards and effective litigation skills.
We welcome candidates who meet the qualifications through a combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience. If you believe your background has equipped you with the skills and knowledge to excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Required qualifications:
- License to practice law in the State of California.
Preferred qualifications:
- Minimum of three-years criminal prosecution experience, including experience in the courtroom; all levels of experience in prosecution are welcome;
- Experience in motion writing and research;
- Trial experience in California state court;
- Sound judgment and high ethical standards;
- Strong communication, advocacy, and legal research skills;
- Ability to work collegially with colleagues and defense attorneys;
- Capacity to handle a high volume of cases in an organized and timely fashion;
- Ability to commute to various courthouses around Los Angeles County;
- Familiarity with the California Penal and Vehicle Codes; and
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing the public interest.
About the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office
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.
Under 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 premier destination cities in the region. As part of the Realignment Plan, in October 2025 and March 2026, 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. The Office is recruiting to meet increasing enforcement, advisory, and litigation needs, including the growing responsibilities of the Criminal Prosecution Division.
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 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. This is a 5/40 work schedule. Hybrid remote work schedule is currently available but not guaranteed, with a minimum of two days in the office, moving to a minimum of three days in the office in January 2027 (Tuesday – Thursday). Evening and weekend duties may be required to attend Boards/Commission meetings, Diversion Program Advisory Board 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 – Deputy City Attorney, Criminal Division.” Candidates must apply by Monday, September 14, 2026, when consideration of applicants will begin.
A background check will be required prior to beginning employment. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience, and the City offers excellent benefits. The salary range for Deputy City Attorney II is from $143,628 to $177,312 and for Deputy City Attorney III is from $222,492 - $274,680.
This position is at will but is part of the Public Attorneys Union. Equal Opportunity Employer. See the EEO Policy on the City Attorney’s Office website.
Job Summary
Deputy City Attorney II-III – Criminal Prosecution Division
Annual Salary: DCA II Steps 1-5 $143,628 - $177,312
Annual Salary: DCA III Steps 1-5 $222,492 - $274,680
Work Schedule: 5/40 schedule M-Friday
Hybrid Work: Currently available
Application Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026
Benefits: Comprehensive City benefits package
Employment Status: At-will position represented by the Public Attorneys Union
Join the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office as a Deputy in the Criminal Division.
The Santa Monica City Attorney's Office seeks an attorney with three to five years of criminal prosecution experience to join its Criminal Prosecution Division.
The City Attorney’s Office Criminal Prosecution Division handles all misdemeanors and municipal code violations that occur in the City of Santa Monica. These charges include driving under the influence, domestic violence, vehicular manslaughter, theft, and quality of life crimes such as camping in public, being in the park after dark, and loitering in a parking structure. The Division also works with the Santa Monica Police Department and Human Service Division to create diversion programs that may limit exposure to the criminal justice system.
The successful applicant will have a combination of required and preferred qualifications, including high ethical standards and effective litigation skills.
We welcome candidates who meet the qualifications through a combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience. If you believe your background has equipped you with the skills and knowledge to excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Required qualifications:
- License to practice law in the State of California.
Preferred qualifications:
- Minimum of three-years criminal prosecution experience, including experience in the courtroom; all levels of experience in prosecution are welcome;
- Experience in motion writing and research;
- Trial experience in California state court;
- Sound judgment and high ethical standards;
- Strong communication, advocacy, and legal research skills;
- Ability to work collegially with colleagues and defense attorneys;
- Capacity to handle a high volume of cases in an organized and timely fashion;
- Ability to commute to various courthouses around Los Angeles County;
- Familiarity with the California Penal and Vehicle Codes; and
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing the public interest.
About the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office
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.
Under 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 premier destination cities in the region. As part of the Realignment Plan, in October 2025 and March 2026, 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. The Office is recruiting to meet increasing enforcement, advisory, and litigation needs, including the growing responsibilities of the Criminal Prosecution Division.
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 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. This is a 5/40 work schedule. Hybrid remote work schedule is currently available but not guaranteed, with a minimum of two days in the office, moving to a minimum of three days in the office in January 2027 (Tuesday – Thursday). Evening and weekend duties may be required to attend Boards/Commission meetings, Diversion Program Advisory Board 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 – Deputy City Attorney, Criminal Division.” Candidates must apply by Monday, September 14, 2026, when consideration of applicants will begin.
A background check will be required prior to beginning employment. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience, and the City offers excellent benefits. The salary range for Deputy City Attorney II is from $143,628 to $177,312 and for Deputy City Attorney III is from $222,492 - $274,680.
This position is at will but is part of the Public Attorneys Union. Equal Opportunity Employer. See the EEO Policy on the City Attorney’s Office website.
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Mid Level City Attorney Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level city attorney job?
Position your existing experience around independent ownership of matters, not just support work. Highlight specific practice areas where you have handled cases or transactions from start to close, any cross-departmental advisory work, and situations where you exercised judgment without close supervision. Tailor each application to the city or agency's core legal needs, and make measurable outcomes visible in your materials.
Which companies hire mid level city attorneys?
Companies hiring mid level city attorneys right now include City of Philadelphia, PA, City of Las Cruces, and CITY OF SANTA MONICA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Municipal governments, county agencies, regional utilities, and public authorities tend to hire most actively at this level, where they need attorneys who can handle matters independently without full senior oversight.
Are there remote mid level city attorney jobs?
Yes, though remote availability is limited compared to other legal roles given the nature of public-sector work. About 50% of mid level city attorney openings are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with hybrid arrangements being far more common than fully remote positions, particularly in larger municipal offices.
How do I move up to a mid level city attorney role?
The path from entry level to mid level centers on building a record of independently managed matters, not just supervised assignments. Attorneys typically progress by deepening expertise in one or two practice areas, volunteering for complex or high-stakes files, taking on junior attorney mentorship informally, and demonstrating that their legal judgment holds up without constant review from senior colleagues.
Which industries hire the most mid level city attorneys?
Mid Level city attorney roles concentrate in Government & Public Sector, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. These sectors drive hiring because they operate under extensive regulatory frameworks and require staff counsel who can handle day-to-day legal matters, manage risk independently, and advise decision-makers without escalating every question to senior leadership.