Entry Level Assistant City Attorney

About the Role

The City Attorney’s Office is hiring an unlimited Entry Level Assistant City Attorney for the Prosecution and Code Enforcement (PACE) Section of the Department of Law. This role prosecutes a variety of municipal ordinance violations within the City and County of Denver.

Key Responsibilities

• Appear in court daily and represent the City and County of Denver in criminal prosecutions involving municipal code violations and select state law offenses.
• Evaluate, prepare, and prosecute cases through all stages of criminal litigation, including arraignments, motions hearings, plea negotiations, trials, and post-conviction proceedings.
• Advocate for victims and help them navigate the criminal justice process through compassionate, trauma-informed communication and support, while ensuring compliance with the Municipal Victim Rights Act.
• Manage a high-volume caseload while exercising sound judgment, prioritizing competing demands, and meeting court deadlines.
• Work collaboratively with paralegals and victim advocates to ensure cases are properly prepared and effectively presented to the court.
• Develop litigation, negotiation, and trial advocacy skills through frequent courtroom appearances and hands-on prosecutorial experience.
• Draft appropriate motions and respond to motions in a professional and timely manner. Draft and respond to appeals.
• Provide City agencies with legal advice. Represent City agencies during administrative hearings. Interpret policy, ordinances, and charter requirements.
• Assist other attorneys working in specialized areas with research and related activities.
• Draft proposed ordinances.
• Provide training and sound legal support to city agencies, including the Denver Police Department, the Denver Fire Department, the Denver Sheriff’s Department, and others.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Criminal law and prosecution
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Commitment to public service, public safety, and victim advocacy
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced demanding environment
• Confidence thinking on your feet and responding professionally to unexpected challenges
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high pressure, high stress environments
• Capable of effectively managing a high-volume caseload while balancing competing priorities
• Sound judgment, common sense, and the ability to adapt quickly in dynamic and evolving situations
• Experience or interest in working with victims, including domestic violence victims, using a compassionate and trauma-informed approach
• Commitment to working collaboratively as part of a highly supportive and team-oriented environment
• Demonstrated initiative, strong work ethic, and a willingness to continuously learn and develop as a trial attorney

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree or Bachelors of Law Degree.
• License to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire.
• No prior experience is required.
• No substitution of experience for education is permitted.

Salary & Location

• Salary Range: $86,634.00 – $142,947.00 / year
• Target Pay for New Hires: $95,000 – $99,000 / year
• Location: Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, City and County Building, Lindsey Flanigan Courthouse, and Downtown Detention Center, Denver, CO.
• Schedule: Office hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, but may be longer depending on the needs of the court and the case. This role follows a hybrid schedule; however, employees are required to report on-site daily for court proceedings. Remote work opportunities may be available for portions of the workday after completing in-person court responsibilities.

Application Requirements

To be considered, you must include the following on your job application:

• Cover Letter/statement of interest describing:
• Your interest in criminal law and prosecution.
• What attracts you to a high-volume courtroom environment.