Deputy City Attorney Jobs
Deputy City Attorney jobs are open across municipal governments, county agencies, and regional public authorities, at every level from entry-level staff attorney to supervising and principal deputy, with specializations in municipal litigation, land use and zoning, and public employment law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About the Position
The Saint Paul City Attorney's Office is accepting applications for a Deputy City Attorney in the Civil Division. The Deputy City Attorney is responsible for managing the work of the Civil Division.
Here’s what you can expect to do:
- Perform executive-level professional and managerial work in planning, evaluating and directing the activities of the Civil Division.
- Develop long and short-range plans and continually evaluate the effectiveness of division performance in relation to its goals.
- Lead and manage the work of employees within the division as requested by the City Attorney.
- Work proactively with and provide legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City departments, boards, commissions, and committees.
- Lead the Civil Division management team.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the full range of principles, terms, and procedures involved in municipal government including a high degree of familiarity with the City Charter, Administrative Code, and Legislative Code of the City of Saint Paul.
- Demonstrates an ability to supervise and manage the performance of attorneys, legal assistants and law clerks consistent with the goals of the City Attorney.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the most current and effective work methods and the ability to instruct others in best practices.
- Demonstrates an ability to be creative and solve complex problems, to quickly conduct the most complex research, retain and analyze complex technical information, determine relevancy, and formulate appropriate courses of actions.
- Demonstrates an ability to positively influence managers, supervisors and employees.
- Demonstrates an ability to be clear and persuasive in all areas of communication including speaking, writing and interpreting body language.
- Demonstrates an ability to successfully communicate with the community, judges, opposing counsel, and to understandably and appropriately explain the practices, policies, and positions of the City Attorney's Office as they relate to the Civil Division.
- Demonstrates an ability to remain calm and respectful of others during confrontational and adversarial situations.
- Demonstrates an ability to plan and manage, within deadlines, projects that have a high degree of community impact.
- Demonstrates an ability to understand bargaining unit contracts, administer the provisions of such contracts, and respectfully handle grievances in accordance with applicable contractual procedures.
MISSION: We seek justice through law, balancing accountability and equity and building prosperity while protecting the interests of the entire Saint Paul community.
VALUES:
- Respect - We maintain an inclusive culture that honors the rights and experiences of all, encourages dialogue, and fosters patience and humanity.
- Integrity - We strive for excellence through perpetual improvement, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and proactive collaborative solutions. We are accountable and faithful to the rule of law and professional ethics.
- Service - We work to benefit the community by connecting and engaging with each other and all of Saint Paul.
- Equity – We endeavor to provide just and balanced treatment for all residents by dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities and fostering a safe and inclusive community.
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us. We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.
Position Requirements
Candidates must have a Juris Doctorate Degree and a license to practice law from the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota and five years of progressive experience as an attorney at the full performance level with the City of Saint Paul or equivalent.
Continued employment as a Deputy City Attorney is contingent upon maintaining a license to practice law from the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota.
How to Apply
- Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
- Upload or submit the following required documents via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Professional References (3)
- Writing Sample (2-4 pages)
First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.
Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.
Learn more about our Hiring Process
Unclassified Posting: This is an UNCLASSIFIED position and is therefore not governed by City Civil Service Rules.
Selection Process: Applicants who meet the criteria and requirements stated on the job posting will be placed on a hiring list for consideration. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.
Final Selection Process: You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process.
Human Resources Contact Information:
Trisha Freiberger at 651-266-6481
Email: trisha.freiberger@stpaul.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:
City Paid Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Vacation/Holidays
- Sick Leave
- Life Insurance
- Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
- Deferred Compensation
- Retirement Program
- Dental
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Disability Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long Term Care Insurance
About the Position
The Saint Paul City Attorney's Office is accepting applications for a Deputy City Attorney in the Civil Division. The Deputy City Attorney is responsible for managing the work of the Civil Division.
Here’s what you can expect to do:
- Perform executive-level professional and managerial work in planning, evaluating and directing the activities of the Civil Division.
- Develop long and short-range plans and continually evaluate the effectiveness of division performance in relation to its goals.
- Lead and manage the work of employees within the division as requested by the City Attorney.
- Work proactively with and provide legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City departments, boards, commissions, and committees.
- Lead the Civil Division management team.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the full range of principles, terms, and procedures involved in municipal government including a high degree of familiarity with the City Charter, Administrative Code, and Legislative Code of the City of Saint Paul.
- Demonstrates an ability to supervise and manage the performance of attorneys, legal assistants and law clerks consistent with the goals of the City Attorney.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the most current and effective work methods and the ability to instruct others in best practices.
- Demonstrates an ability to be creative and solve complex problems, to quickly conduct the most complex research, retain and analyze complex technical information, determine relevancy, and formulate appropriate courses of actions.
- Demonstrates an ability to positively influence managers, supervisors and employees.
- Demonstrates an ability to be clear and persuasive in all areas of communication including speaking, writing and interpreting body language.
- Demonstrates an ability to successfully communicate with the community, judges, opposing counsel, and to understandably and appropriately explain the practices, policies, and positions of the City Attorney's Office as they relate to the Civil Division.
- Demonstrates an ability to remain calm and respectful of others during confrontational and adversarial situations.
- Demonstrates an ability to plan and manage, within deadlines, projects that have a high degree of community impact.
- Demonstrates an ability to understand bargaining unit contracts, administer the provisions of such contracts, and respectfully handle grievances in accordance with applicable contractual procedures.
MISSION: We seek justice through law, balancing accountability and equity and building prosperity while protecting the interests of the entire Saint Paul community.
VALUES:
- Respect - We maintain an inclusive culture that honors the rights and experiences of all, encourages dialogue, and fosters patience and humanity.
- Integrity - We strive for excellence through perpetual improvement, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and proactive collaborative solutions. We are accountable and faithful to the rule of law and professional ethics.
- Service - We work to benefit the community by connecting and engaging with each other and all of Saint Paul.
- Equity – We endeavor to provide just and balanced treatment for all residents by dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities and fostering a safe and inclusive community.
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us. We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.
Position Requirements
Candidates must have a Juris Doctorate Degree and a license to practice law from the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota and five years of progressive experience as an attorney at the full performance level with the City of Saint Paul or equivalent.
Continued employment as a Deputy City Attorney is contingent upon maintaining a license to practice law from the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota.
How to Apply
- Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
- Upload or submit the following required documents via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Professional References (3)
- Writing Sample (2-4 pages)
First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.
Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.
Learn more about our Hiring Process
Unclassified Posting: This is an UNCLASSIFIED position and is therefore not governed by City Civil Service Rules.
Selection Process: Applicants who meet the criteria and requirements stated on the job posting will be placed on a hiring list for consideration. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.
Final Selection Process: You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process.
Human Resources Contact Information:
Trisha Freiberger at 651-266-6481
Email: trisha.freiberger@stpaul.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:
City Paid Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Vacation/Holidays
- Sick Leave
- Life Insurance
- Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
- Deferred Compensation
- Retirement Program
- Dental
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Disability Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long Term Care Insurance
See All 24 Deputy City Attorney Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Deputy City Attorney JobsDeputy City Attorney Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in deputy city attorney jobs.
- Active bar membership in the hiring state required at time of appointment
- Minimum of two to five years of civil litigation or municipal law experience
- Experience advising government boards, commissions, or elected officials
- Demonstrated knowledge of public records law and open meetings requirements
- Ability to independently handle a full caseload from intake through trial
- Strong legal writing skills for ordinances, resolutions, and appellate briefs
Tips for Your Deputy City Attorney Job Search
Tailor your resume to municipal law
City attorney offices screen for government-side litigation experience specifically. Highlight any representation of public entities, enforcement of municipal codes, or work on behalf of a government body, private-sector work reads differently to these hiring committees.
Demonstrate bar admission in the right state
Most postings require active bar membership in the state where the city is located. If you're licensed elsewhere, note any pending admission by motion or reciprocity application directly in your resume header so reviewers don't screen you out automatically.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists deputy city attorney openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Match your specialization to the posting
Municipal offices often hire for a specific practice group, code enforcement, public works, labor relations, or tort defense. Read each posting carefully and reorder your resume so the most relevant case types and statutes appear first, not buried under unrelated experience.
Prepare for a panel interview format
City attorney hiring panels typically include the city attorney, a senior deputy, and an HR representative. Expect scenario-based questions about conflicts of interest, public records obligations, and advising elected officials, practice giving structured legal analysis under time pressure.
Negotiate with a government pay scale in mind
Municipal compensation is usually set by a formal pay band, leaving less room for negotiation than private practice. Focus your leverage on start-step placement within the band, remote or hybrid flexibility, and professional development funding rather than a base salary number.
Deputy City Attorney Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most deputy city attorneys?
The companies hiring the most deputy city attorneys right now include Los Angeles City Attorney, City and County of San Francisco, and City of Meridian, with the largest share of openings in California, Idaho, and Kansas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Openings in larger municipal offices tend to cluster around city charter renewals, budget cycles, and litigation surges.
How many deputy city attorney jobs are remote?
About 100% of deputy city attorney openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the in-person requirements of court appearances, council meetings, and client advising that most municipal roles carry. Advisory and transactional sub-areas such as contract review and policy drafting are most likely to allow partial remote arrangements.
How do you become a deputy city attorney?
You need a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, active bar membership in the state where you want to work, and civil litigation or public law experience. Most candidates come from public defender or district attorney offices, general civil practice, or prior government counsel roles. Applying to smaller municipalities first builds the government-side experience larger city offices require.
Can you get hired as a deputy city attorney with little experience?
Some smaller cities and regional authorities hire attorneys with limited experience into staff or junior deputy roles, particularly candidates with strong law school clinic work in government law, administrative law internships, or judicial clerkships. Framing any representation of a public entity, nonprofit, or regulatory body as government-adjacent experience helps your application stand out at this level.
What does the deputy city attorney interview process look like?
Most city attorney offices conduct a written screening, a panel interview, and sometimes a practical exercise such as a memo or oral argument simulation. The panel typically includes the city attorney or chief deputy, a senior staff member, and an HR representative. Questions focus on legal judgment, ethical conflicts specific to government practice, and how you handle elected official clients.
Where can I find and apply to deputy city attorney jobs?
You can find and apply to deputy city attorney jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from city and county offices across the United States. Find roles that fit your practice area, experience level, and location, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
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