Chief Deputy City Attorney - Municipal Law Division

About the Department

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.

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 20 administrative professionals and is part of the citywide Realignment Plan that is working to restore Santa Monica to one of the premiere destination City’s 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.

Join the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office as Chief Deputy of the Municipal Law Division  

The Municipal Law Division advises the City Council, the City’s Boards and Commissions, and all City Departments on a wide range of municipal law issues under Federal, State and local laws, including, but not limited to, the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, housing, economic development, land use, real estate, public safety, labor and employment, public contracting, municipal finance, election law, and constitutional issues. The Division is also responsible for drafting resolutions, ordinances, and ballot measures, reviewing and drafting contracts, and drafting legal pleadings and responses.

The Santa Monica City Attorney's office seeks an attorney with at least 8 years of experience to serve as Chief Deputy City Attorney of the Municipal Law Division. The Chief willmanage and oversee the Municipal Law Division and beresponsible for accomplishing objectives and goals within guidelines established by the City Attorney. This will include providing legal advice on various complex and sensitive legal matters, drafting ordinances, resolutions and documents, and preparation of legal opinions. The Chief will also be advising the City Council, boards and commissions, department directors and staff. The Municipal Chief should expect to attend all City Council meetings, ensure all municipal actions are legally sound and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and provide input on policy and personnel matters. The Chief supervises attorneys in the division, works closely with the office leadership team, and is expected to use sound judgement, discretion, and diplomacy.  

Required Qualifications include:

Preferred Qualifications include experience in:

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, Boards and Commission meetings, and other public meetings or events. 

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 – Chief Deputy City Attorney, Municipal Division.” Candidates must apply by Monday, May 4, 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 Steps 1-5, $251,926 to $311,028. This position is at will and receives the benefits of the Public Attorneys Union. Equal Opportunity Employer. See the EEO Policy on the City Attorney’s Office website.