Assistant Attorney Civil Senior - Litigation

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $125,371.00 - $156,714.00/annually

The deadline to submit applications is August 30, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

All applications must include a Writing Sample, Resume, and Cover Letter. Applications received without these items will not be reviewed.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE 

The Assistant Attorney Civil Senior represents the City of Aurora and its employees in complex civil litigation in Colorado state and federal courts. The position manages litigation from initial filing through trial and appeal and serves as lead or supporting counsel as appropriate. Matters may include claims arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Colorado Law Enforcement Integrity Act, Colorado tort law, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, and other areas of civil law. The position also provides legal counsel to City departments, advises on claims and risk matters, and may develop or deliver legal training to City employees.  The position will be classified as a Senior Assistant City Attorney. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Represents the City and its employees in complex civil litigation in Colorado state and federal courts, serving as lead or supporting counsel as appropriate 

• Manages assigned litigation through all phases of a matter, including pleadings, discovery, motions practice, hearings, depositions, expert and witness coordination, trial preparation, trial, post-trial proceedings, and appeals 

• Conducts legal research and prepares persuasive pleadings, briefs, motions, memoranda, legal opinions, and other written materials appropriate to the intended audience 

• Represents the City in appellate matters, including preparing appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments. 

• Advises City departments, employees, and leadership on complex legal matters; evaluates legal issues and provides practical, risk-informed counsel based on applicable law and circumstances 

• Serves as legal counsel to the Risk Management division on claims, governmental immunity, workers’ compensation, and related matters 

• Represents the City and City employees in administrative and quasi-judicial proceedings, including civil service and career service matters 

• Develops litigation strategy; evaluates legal and organizational risk; and recommends appropriate courses of action, resolution strategies, or settlement approaches 

• Advises clients regarding litigation developments, potential exposure, strategic considerations, and recommended actions 

• Provides legal training and guidance to City employees on litigation-related matters and areas of assigned legal expertise 

• Responds to legal inquiries from City leadership and City Council and presents legal information in executive sessions as appropriate 

• Provides guidance, consultation, and subject-matter expertise to attorneys and other staff and contributes to improvements in legal practices, processes, and client service 

• Performs other related duties as assigned 

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. 

Education:   

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school 

Required Experience: 

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience practicing civil litigation, including experience serving as lead counsel or in a substantive supporting role in trials, evidentiary hearings, or comparable contested proceedings 

Preferred Experience: 

• Experience representing governmental entities or public-sector clients in civil litigation 

• Experience litigating matters involving 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act, the Colorado Law Enforcement Integrity Act, Colorado tort law, or comparable areas of governmental liability 

Licenses and Certifications Required:   

• Applicants must be licensed to practice by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing, or able to obtain admittance within six (6) months of hire date 

• Applicants must be eligible to become admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of Colorado, if not already admitted to practice in the District 

• Applicants must be eligible to become admitted to practice in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, if not already admitted to practice in the Circuit  

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of civil litigation principles, practices, and procedures applicable to state and federal courts 

• Knowledge of substantive areas of law relevant to municipal civil litigation, including governmental liability, constitutional claims, governmental immunity, and tort law 

• Knowledge of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, Colorado Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, applicable appellate rules, local court rules, and judicial practice standards 

• Knowledge of legal ethics, professional responsibility, attorney-client privilege, confidentiality requirements, and applicable standards of professional conduct 

• Knowledge of municipal government operations, public-sector legal considerations, and principles of litigation risk management and dispute resolution 

Skills:   

• Skill in legal research  

• Litigation and courtroom advocacy skills, including motions practice, witness examination, depositions, evidentiary hearings, trial, and oral argument 

• Skill in evaluating complex factual and legal issues and developing practical, defensible litigation strategies 

• Skill in negotiation, dispute resolution, and evaluation of litigation risk 

• Skill in communicating complex legal concepts clearly and appropriately to attorneys, City leadership, employees, elected officials, courts, and other audiences 

• Skill in establishing effective professional relationships and providing responsive legal counsel to internal clients 

• Skill in organizing and managing multiple complex matters, deadlines, and competing priorities 

• Skill in using legal research databases, electronic case-management systems, and standard office technology 

Abilities:   

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, residents, elected officials, community members, and partner agencies 

• Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy 

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and synthesize complex information into a more useful format for decision-makers 

• Ability to establish and fulfill goals and objectives  

• Ability to administer budgets and prepare cost estimates 

• Ability to effectively litigate civil cases 

• Ability to creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner 

WORKING CONDITIONS  

Essential Personnel:  

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel 

Physical Demands: 

• Sedentary physical work that involves moving no more than 10 pounds at a time with or without assistance 

• Occasional pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping 

• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing 

• Ability to review and interpret reports and other written documents with or without reasonable accommodation 

• Ability to communicate with employees, opposing council, and other stakeholders with or without reasonable accommodation 

Work Environment: 

• Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment; in an office or courtroom 

Equipment Used: 

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computers and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, and menu driven databases 

• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment