Mid-Level General Municipal Law Associate Attorney

Job Overview

A leading California-based law firm is seeking a Mid-Level Associate Attorney with experience in general municipal law to join its team in Irvine. This position offers the opportunity to work with a diverse roster of public agency clients on a wide variety of local government legal matters. Ideal for an attorney with a passion for municipal governance, this role involves both advisory and advocacy work and offers a collaborative and inclusive environment focused on professional development.

Location

• Irvine, California

Duties

• Advise public agencies and municipalities on legal matters related to governance, regulatory compliance, and public contracts

• Provide guidance on open meeting laws (e.g., Brown Act), public records laws, and ethics regulations

• Draft and negotiate contracts, ordinances, and resolutions

• Represent clients at city council meetings, administrative hearings, and other public proceedings

• Advise on municipal finance issues, including tax assessment, revenue generation, and bond issuance

• Review and assist in the development of municipal policies and procedural guidelines

• Handle litigation related to municipal governance, zoning, and regulatory compliance

• Collaborate with senior attorneys to create legal strategies tailored to each client

• Support and mentor junior associates and staff to promote a collaborative team culture

Requirements

• Minimum 4 years of experience practicing general municipal law

• Demonstrated experience advising public agencies or municipalities

• Familiarity with open meeting laws, public records requests, and government ethics regulations

• Strong legal research, writing, and negotiation skills

• Capable of handling both transactional and litigation-related municipal matters

• Proven ability to manage client relationships and meet deadlines

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

Certifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar (in good standing)

Skills

• Strong understanding of municipal and public agency legal frameworks

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• High attention to detail with strong drafting and negotiation capabilities

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset

Benefits

• Discretionary bonus structure

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan with profit-sharing

• Continuing legal education (CLE) and professional development opportunities

• Supportive, inclusive, and team-oriented work culture

Representing clients throughout California for over three decades, this full-service law firm serves public agency clients. The firm helps clients with land use and zoning, personnel and labor, environment, affordable housing, elections, condemnation, police, civil rights, public finance, and other public-related matters. Committed to building long-lasting relationships with clients, the highly experienced team of attorneys, paralegals, and staff provides the highest quality of legal service and representation in public law. The firm fosters a collaborative work environment where everybody is passionate and focuses on clients' needs. With offices throughout California, the firm is an equal opportunity employer and is proud of the workforce's diversity.