City and County of San Francisco

Assistant Chief Attorney I (#8181)

$102.49-$124.59 Hourly / $17,765.00-$21,595.00 Monthly / $213,174.00-$259,142.00 Yearly

Definition

Under general administrative direction, assists the Chief Trial Deputy in assigning and supervising the prosecution and/or defense of major criminal and civil cases; trains and counsels subordinate attorneys; may have personal responsibility for the most important cases; acts as Assistant Utility General Counsel or as legal adviser to the Board of Supervisors; and performs related duties as required. Requires major responsibility for assisting in developing, coordinating and interpreting policies and procedures of the legal department to which assigned; making very important contacts with law enforcement agencies, city officials, court officials and outside organizations regarding a wide variety of legal matters; supervising and preparing extremely complex legal instruments and documents.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

Civil

1. Assists the Chief Trial Deputy in the preparation of the most involved and important contract, personal injury, accident and damage cases and other litigation for and against the City; assists in assigning, supervising and reviewing work of subordinate attorneys; assists in the development of effective trial tactics.

2. Handles special cases involving particular City departments; exercises independent judgment in advising City departments and officials on important points of the law; serves as a special legal assistant to a City department when assigned; drafts legal documents, legislation, contracts, Charter amendments, ordinances and resolutions; supervises and reviews work of subordinate attorneys in the preparation of such legal materials.

3. Assists the Utilities General Counsel in supervising all utilities litigation work involving the Municipal Railway, Hetch Hetchy, the Water Department, and the San Francisco Airports Commission; acts for the Utilities General Counsel in his absence; drafts and reviews resolutions; drafts legal opinions involving utilities operations; tries or supervises the trial of utility litigations.

4. Acts as legal adviser to the Board of Supervisors in advising on all legal issues; drafts litigation or supervises the preparation of Charter amendments, legal opinions and participates in the review of litigation involving the Board of Supervisors' ordinances and the City Charter; advises and directs all deputies in the preparation of opinions, legislation and Charter amendments for submission to the Board of Supervisors.

Criminal

1. Assists the Chief Trial Deputy in the preparation, prosecution and/or defense of the most involved and important criminal cases; assists in the supervision and review of the work of subordinate attorneys and investigators; supervises and participates in preparation of evidence for the Grand Jury relative to the issuance of possible indictments.

2. Advises and directs subordinate attorneys on office policy regarding Municipal Court and Superior Court assignments as well as felony preliminary hearings; assists in the operation of the Master Calendar; supervises and participates in the preparation of appeals to the State Supreme Court; may assist in determining court assignments for staff attorneys; may direct training procedures for subordinate attorneys.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: state, federal and municipal codes, laws, and ordinances, particularly as applied to civil and criminal laws; legal processes and techniques of courtroom and jury trial work; administrative techniques and methods.

Ability and Skill to: speak and write effectively in the preparation and presentation of assigned legal cases; exercise considerable judgment and tact in dealing with court officials, juries, law enforcement agencies and other governmental agencies in connection with legal assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Experience:
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience as a practicing attorney, with emphasis on jury trial and courtroom work.

License and Certification:
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Substitution:

Notes

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PROMOTIVE LINES
Positions exempt from examination.

Disaster Service Workers

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
CLASS: 8181; EST: 12/3/1973; REV: 9/26/2019;