8177 Deputy City Attorney – Health & Human Services Team

Position Summary

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office seeks an exceptional attorney to join its Health and Human Services Team — a dynamic and high-impact legal practice at the forefront of public health, social and human services, and public policy.

This is an exciting opportunity to serve as a strategic legal advisor on issues that directly affect the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of San Franciscans. The attorney selected for this role will help City leaders navigate some of the most urgent and complex public health and services challenges facing local government today while supporting one of the nation’s most innovative public-sector health and human services systems.

The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, collaborative, practical, and motivated by public service and meaningful impact.

Importance of this Role San Francisco operates one of the country’s most expansive and visible public health and human services systems. The City’s hospitals, clinics, behavioral health programs, homelessness response systems, and social safety-net services play a critical role in protecting vulnerable populations and advancing public health and equity.

Attorneys on the Health and Human Services Team help shape how those systems function. The team advises policymakers, department leaders, medical and social services professionals, and commissions on high-stakes operational, regulatory, and policy issues that influence how essential services are delivered across the City.

The work is dynamic, fast-paced, and consequential. Attorneys on the team are trusted advisors during moments of significant operational, legal, and public scrutiny, and regularly engage with issues that sit at the intersection of law, medicine, ethics, privacy, public policy, and government administration.

This position offers the opportunity to build a uniquely broad and sophisticated public law practice while making a tangible difference in the lives of San Francisco residents.

Duties and Responsibilities

Position Responsibilities

Deputy City Attorneys on the Health and Human Services Team advise clients on complex legal and operational matters, help develop practical solutions to emerging challenges, and support major public initiatives and programs. This role offers substantial responsibility and meaningful client interaction.

• Advising City departments and officials on complex legal and policy matters related to health care, public health, social services, homelessness programs, and government operations

• Providing real-time legal guidance on operational, regulatory, and compliance issues affecting hospitals, clinics, behavioral health programs, and public benefit systems

• Counseling clients on legal risk, statutory interpretation, and administrative decision-making

• Drafting ordinances, regulations, ballot measures, and policies

• Reviewing and negotiating contracts, procurements, and requests for proposals

• Advising commissions and policy bodies before and during public meetings

• Interpreting federal, state, and local laws governing health care systems, human services programs, privacy protections, and public funding

• Advising on public records, open government, and government ethics issues

• Developing subject-matter expertise in areas critical to City governance and public service delivery.

• Advising on health care operations, regulatory compliance, HIPAA, and other privacy laws.

Qualifications and Prior Experience

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking candidates who combine excellent legal judgment with strong interpersonal skills, intellectual flexibility, and a commitment to public service.

Ideal candidates will have:

• At least five years of legal experience, particularly in an advisory, health care, or government counsel role

• Experience advising hospitals, health systems, or public agencies on operational and regulatory matters

• Experience advising on HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules and related compliance obligations is preferred, but not required

• Familiarity with federal and state laws governing privacy protections for public benefit and health information

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities

• The ability to independently manage complex assignments in a fast-paced environment

• Sound judgment and the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice

• A collaborative approach and commitment to respectful and inclusive teamwork Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in California

How to Apply

Please apply via this link.