Chief Deputy City Attorney (Civil Advisory Division, Gun Violence Reduction Unit) - I2364 (UNC)

JOB INFORMATION

The San Diego City Attorney's Office protects the people of San Diego by serving as chief legal counsel to the City of San Diego’s elected officials and operational departments; prosecuting and defending civil cases involving the City; and as the City’s prosecutor on behalf of the People of the State of California, by holding accountable those who commit crimes against the public health and safety and violate other local and state laws. Our municipal law firm employs over 180 lawyers and approximately 230 support staff, dedicated to providing legal services to the City of San Diego.

The Civil Advisory Division of the San Diego City Attorney’s Office is recruiting to fill a Chief Deputy City Attorney position in the Gun Violence Reduction Unit (GVRU) The Chief Deputy will report to Assistant City Attorney Michelle Garland.

The GVRU handles the San Diego City Attorney’s nationally recognized Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) program, petitions to destroy firearms, and oversees the San Diego Countywide Gun Relinquishment Task Force. The GVRU represents and regularly provides training to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). In the course of their work, Deputies in the GVRU may also be called upon to handle matters involving First, Second, and Fourth Amendment issues, Public Records Act requests, media inquiries, or other gun violence-related legal issues. The Unit also provides technical assistance regarding GVRO administration and implementation to various organizations upon request.

The Chief Deputy oversees all Unit operations, coordinates with the Police Department, and directly supervises the attorneys assigned to the Unit. The Chief Deputy also supervises a program manager with various duties including grant management and data collection. The Chief Deputy is expected to hold and attend regular meetings, monitor workloads and performance, draft performance evaluations, submit quarterly Unit reports, and communicate all necessary information to the Assistant City Attorney. In addition to supervisory responsibilities, the Chief is expected to carry a GVRO and firearms petition case load, appear in court, and assist with search warrant and on-call duties. The Chief will also assist the San Diego Countywide Gun Relinquishment Task Force as needed, serve as the primary point of contact for all training or technical assistance requests from outside agencies, and periodically represent the Office at community and stakeholder events.

The primary work location for this assignment is 9275 Sky Park Court, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92123. A temporary workspace is available at Civic Center Plaza, 1200 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101, when assigned to appear in court.

NOTES: 

The following wage increases are scheduled to effect for Deputy City Attorneys:

• A 3.5% general wage increase will be effective July 1, 2027.
• A 2% general wage increase will be effective July 1, 2028.
• A 2% general wage increase will be effective January 1, 2029.

To Apply:

To learn more about the position, please visit the San Diego City Attorney’s Office Career Page. 

Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for City of San Diego is Chuck Callahan.