Description
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for a position as Deputy City Attorney IV in the City Attorney’s Office! In this role, you’ll provide high level legal and policy advice to City departments, boards, and commissions and represent the City in a variety of litigation matters. The City Attorney's Office is routinely involved in exciting litigation over issues of national interest, such as climate change, surveillance technology, and homelessness.
As the highest level in the Deputy City Attorney class series, this classification performs the more complex, politically sensitive work with a high level of independence. Positions at this level may have responsibility for cases of long-term duration and/or where significant public contact is required.
The ideal candidate has litigation experience in state and federal courts and has acted as a lead on complex cases during the pre-trial phase. Specialized knowledge of employment law and litigation, arbitration, public works contracts, and/or real estate law is desirable.
See the full classification description here: Deputy City Attorney IV
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills and abilities for this classification is:
A Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school and six (6) years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of civil law, preferably in a municipal setting.
Other requirements: Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record. Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association. Must be willing to attend evening meetings.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on March 23, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:
Application review for minimum qualifications and complete answers to supplemental questions (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application filing period close date)
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing the examination phase will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that the hiring department will use to conduct final selection interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of April 20, 2026.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.