Municipal Law Associate Attorney

A law firm seeks skilled attorneys to support its Municipal Law practice across Northern and Southern California. Candidates will work on a range of public-sector matters, including local government advisory, land use, environmental compliance, transactional projects, and code enforcement. The hybrid position offers flexibility, with a telecommute stipend and an expectation of collaborating from the new headquarters and client sites throughout California.

Duties

• Advise cities, counties, and special districts on municipal governance, public meetings, open records, and conflict-of-interest matters

• Handle land use and environmental review under CEQA, including preparing environmental impact analyses and permitting applications

• Assist with public finance and transactional matters, such as drafting bond documents, cooperative agreements, and development agreements

• Guide code enforcement efforts, drafting administrative citations, representing local agencies in enforcement hearings, and negotiating compliance plans

• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and policy recommendations tailored to public entities

• Support senior counsel in litigation avoidance and, when necessary, litigate on behalf of local government clients in state or federal court or administrative tribunals

• Manage multiple client engagements, maintaining frequent communication with municipal officials and agency staff to ensure timely, practical legal solutions

Requirements

• Active California law license in good standing

• 3+ years of experience in municipal law, land use/CEQA, public finance, or code enforcement (junior and senior candidates considered)

• Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume docket of client needs and meet deadlines under tight timelines

• Strong written and oral advocacy, with experience drafting legal opinions, resolutions, ordinances, or other public-sector documents

• Excellent interpersonal skills to foster relationships with elected officials, agency staff, and community stakeholders

• Capacity to work independently and as part of a team, staying adaptable to evolving regulatory and policy landscapes

• Commitment to professional development, public service, and a collaborative work environment

Education

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

Certifications

• Member in good standing, State Bar of California

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of California Government Code, Public Records Act, Brown Act, and CEQA statutes and regulations

• Proficiency in legal research platforms (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis) and Microsoft Office Suite

• Analytical aptitude for interpreting statutes, case law, and local ordinances

• Effective negotiation, mediation, and problem-solving abilities

• Strong organizational and time-management skills to balance multiple client engagements

• High emotional intelligence and discretion when handling sensitive governmental matters

• Fluency in clear, persuasive legal writing and public presentations

Benefits

• Hybrid work arrangement with a dedicated telecommute stipend

• Comprehensive health insurance package

• 401(k) retirement plan with partial employer match

• Annual discretionary bonuses are tied to individual performance and firm goals

• Robust professional-development initiatives, including continuing legal education (CLE) budgets and mentorship programs

• Active Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) support through mentorship circles, training opportunities, and civic engagement activities

• Pro bono program crediting up to 40 hours of qualifying pro bono work toward billable requirements

Founded over nine decades ago, this family-owned firm specializes in a wide range of practices including constitutional law, intellectual property, family law, real estate, public law, employment litigation, construction, insurance, data privacy, and others. With 10 offices throughout California, the firm has over a hundred highly experienced and skilled attorneys. Serving public agencies and private businesses throughout California, this firm has earned a great reputation for providing high-quality representation based on honesty, efficiency, and prompt responsiveness. The firm fosters a professional collegial work environment that promotes equality, dignity, and respect. The firm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has an option for employees to work remotely.