Deputy City Attorney – Ethics & Elections Team

Position Summary

The Ethics & Elections Team serves as general counsel to the San Francisco Ethics Commission, Department of Elections, Elections Commission, Ballot Simplification Committee, and Redistricting Task Force. The Team regularly provides advice about ethics, conflict of interest, campaign finance, and elections-related matters to the City’s elected officials, department heads, commissioners, and employees, and drafts legislation within its subject matter expertise. The Team also provides legal ethics advice to employees in the City Attorney’s Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

An attorney on the Ethics & Elections Team performs many functions – providing legal interpretations and advice, both orally and in writing, formally and informally, on a one-on-one basis or at public meetings. The attorney’s role includes interpreting the requirements of a City ordinance or advising on the legal risks of a particular government action; drafting ordinances, ballot measures, and administrative regulations; reviewing contracts for legal sufficiency; and providing legal advice to commissioners before and during commission meetings. The attorney will also frequently communicate and coordinate with other deputy city attorneys and officials across City government and provide training on ethics issues to City employees and other deputy city attorneys.

Qualifications and Prior Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

Licensed to practice law in California.

Desired Qualifications:

Three or more years practicing as an attorney

Experience serving in an advice capacity as a government lawyer, ideally with some experience in ethics, conflict of interest, campaign finance, and elections-related laws

Excellent oral and written communication skills, especially when explaining legal concepts and rules to non-lawyer clients Excellent legal analytical skills

Ability to listen to client concerns, and develop appropriate options and solutions

Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude

Ability to quickly prioritize among different legal issues and assess legal risks

Ability to assume responsibility for assignments and to work independently and efficiently

Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues

Ability to manage and appropriately balance multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and adjust to fluctuations in workload.

How to Apply

Please apply via this link, apply by clicking on the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen.