Municipal Law Associate Attorney

Recruiter

Irvine, CA

Municipal Law Associate Attorney

Attorney

1-3 yrs required

No

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 (.) 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 (., 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