About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers competitive pay commensurate with education and experience.  New hires are typically brought into the organization between $131,770 - $177,890/annually, based on experience and education. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

• 457B Retirement Plan

• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

Location & Schedule

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. Employees work where needed, at a job site several days a week and off-site as needed. In this position you can expect to work 3 days/week at the Richard T. Castro Building at 1200 Federal Boulevard, Denver, CO. Employee parking at the building is free.  

Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days.

Who We Are & What You’ll Do

The Denver City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law firms in Colorado, with over 230 attorneys and staff members comprised of paralegals, victim advocates, and other support and supervisory staff members. It may have the most diverse practice of any law firm in Colorado since Denver is a home rule city and county. Clients include the Mayor, City Council, all other elected and appointed officials, all city agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and employees. 

The City Attorney's Office is dedicated to providing an equitable, inclusive, and diverse work environment. Through Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts, we strive to respect and honor differences, create a culture of compassion, collaboration, and common purpose for sharing our talents, skills, and creativity with each other. We are committed to removing barriers and providing opportunities. The successful candidate for this position must demonstrate these core operating principles.

The Denver City Attorney’s Office is seeking a Senior Assistant City Attorney to join the Child Welfare and Youth Services Unit within the Human Services Legal Section. Denver Human Services (DHS) is committed to promoting the protection, independence, and stability of Denver residents. As a county‑administered, state‑supervised agency with nearly 1,100 employees and an approximate $300 million annual operation, DHS provides a broad range of essential services. Each year, the agency supports roughly 175,000 people including children and families in crisis, older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, adults with disabilities, and others in need. DHS works to connect clients with financial, social, and community resources that help them build safer, healthier lives.

This is a chance to take on meaningful, high‑impact legal work that directly shapes outcomes for children, youth, and families across Denver. As part of the team that serves as in‑house counsel to Denver Human Services (DHS), an agency that supports one in every three Denver residents, you will play a vital role in advancing the wellbeing and safety of the community’s most vulnerable populations. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to work on challenging, visible, and rewarding cases on behalf of a major public agency.

Specifically, as a Senior Assistant City Attorney, you will:

• Provide legal consultation and representation to Denver Human Services social workers, administrators, and staff throughout all stages of Dependency and Neglect litigation in state trial and appellate courts.

• Prepare and support social workers involved in Juvenile Delinquency proceedings, including appearances in Denver Juvenile Court and other Colorado District Courts; drafting motions and pleadings; conducting discovery; representing the City in hearings; and handling associated appellate briefing and oral argument.

• Regularly appear in state courts, including Denver Juvenile Court, advocating on behalf of Denver Human Services in juvenile law matters.

• Participate in collaborative, multidisciplinary meetings and work closely with interdisciplinary partners and stakeholders to inform critical decisions and develop effective recommendations impacting the treatment, placement, and support of families, children, and youth.

• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements and other legal documents essential to case resolution.

• Draft high-quality memoranda, motions, briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents for judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings.

• Conduct legal research and provide thoughtful analysis, guidance, feedback, and legal advice to colleagues and Denver Human Services personnel.

• Apply advanced knowledge and experience in Juvenile Law to support, guide, and strengthen Denver Human Services' mission and legal objectives.

• Assist attorneys working in specialized practice areas by supporting litigation, legal research, and related legal activities.

• Serve as a lead attorney when assigned, providing case leadership, coordination, mentorship, coaching, and professional development support to junior attorneys.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and effectiveness of the Human Services Legal Services Section.

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What You’ll Bring

In addition to meeting the required qualifications, ideal candidates will bring a strong blend of expertise, leadership, and commitment to serving Denver’s children, youth, and families.

We are especially interested in attorneys who have:

• Robust experience handling Dependency and Neglect cases.

• Deep expertise in juvenile law.

• Strong litigation skills and confidence in the courtroom.

• Appellate experience in juvenile matters.

• Experience advising agencies on regulations, policies, and operational procedures.

• Excellent judgment and the ability to navigate complex, sensitive issues.

• Mediation experience and/or a mediation certificate.

• Experience coaching, mentoring, or guiding less‑experienced attorneys.

• Demonstrated leadership ability and collaborative skill.

• A clear commitment to public service and community impact.

• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills.

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities.

• Experience working in youth‑focused programs or services.

• An undergraduate degree or minor in Social Work, Juvenile Justice, Sociology, Political Science, or a related field.

• Background experience with neighborhood‑based or restorative justice programs.

• Experience with programs affiliated with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: Doctor of Jurisprudence degree or Bachelor of Laws degree.

• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience as an attorney at law.

• Education/Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted.

• License/Certifications: Possession of a 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 in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6.

• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Application Deadline

This position is expected to stay open until Sunday, June 5, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than June 5th at 11:59 PM to ensure consideration.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CL0357 Assistant City Attorney Senior

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$134,933.00 - $229,386.00

Target Pay

$131,770 - $177,890/annually, based on experience and education

Agency

City Attorney's Office

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [email protected] with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.