Salary: $105,207.85 - $163,037.26 Annually
Location : 1 East Broward BLVD, Suite 1320 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: NB018-05
Department: City Attorney
Division: CITY ATTORNEY
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY
The City Attorney's Office at the City of Fort Lauderdale seeks an Assistant City Attorney III - Litigation Attorney

The successful candidate will join the City Attorney's Office in the litigation group representing the City's interests in various judicial and administrative proceedings, including cases in state and federal courts, appellate courts and administrative hearings. This includes all aspects of motion practice and related hearings, Case Management Conferences, depositions, and mediations, pre-trial hearings, including arbitrations and mediations, negotiate settlements and other legal agreements on behalf of the City.

This is a non-classified "at-will" position and not subject to Civil Service Rules or any collective bargaining agreement.

This is a Management Category II position which includes ten (10) additional Management Vacation Days and a Vehicle Allowance of $390/month.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Initiate and defend in foreclosure matters, including filing answers, responses, motions for surplus funds and summary judgment, where the City is either the Plaintiff or a Defendant.
• Propound and respond to discovery requests in civil cases.
• Coordinate with various City departments to obtain the information necessary to respond to discovery requests.
• Coordinate with various City departments to investigate incidents and accidents as part of defending the City in litigation or potential litigation matters.
• Assist City employees, as needed, in preparation for depositions and trial in cases where the City is a party, or the employee is a witness in cases where the City is not a party.
• Assist and advise the Risk Management Department, and its adjusters, as needed, on pending matters from a litigation, liability, and cost perspective.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research on a multitude of issues to prepare well-grounded legal advice and opinions for the City Attorney, City Commission, departments, and related entities.
• Advise and assist the City Attorney with pending or potential litigation matters.
• Prepare litigation related Resolutions and Ordinances.
• Direct the work for and supervise paralegal and administrative assistants.
• Attend City Commission meetings, and other meetings, as assigned.
• Perform related work as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS, PREFERENCES & WORK ENVIRONMENT
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
2. License to practice law in the State of Florida in both state and federal courts, in accordance with the Florida Bar Association requirements.
3. Three (3) - Five (5) years of 1st or 2nd chair trial experience, jury, or bench.
4. Three (3) - Five (5) years of experience in drafting and arguing motions, attending mediations and taking depositions, including expert depositions.
5. To claim Veterans' Preference, candidates must attach to the application a copy of military separation papers (DD214) and service-connected disability documentation (if applicable) to meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by Florida Statues. For additional information, please refer to the (link: )

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience in municipal or related government law is preferred, but not required

As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.

HOW TO APPLY & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The City of Fort Lauderdale receives a high volume of applications, so not every applicant who meets the minimum qualifications will be guaranteed an interview. Candidates are selected for interviews based on how closely their education and work experience match the specific requirements of the position.

Applicants will be subject to an extensive selection and screening process, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written; oral and performance-based testing; skills assessment; interview; employment check, background investigation; medical examination; and drug screen. For Public Safety positions, the process additionally includes polygraph examinations and psychological evaluations. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

All applicants, including current City of Fort Lauderdale employees, need to fully detail their work experience on the employment application. Applicants must ensure that all required documents submitted are in a format that is acceptable, clear, and legible. It is the applicant's responsibility to update their online profile with accurate personal information, work history, education, and certifications each time they submit a new application. Incomplete applications may result in disqualification.

For technical support with your application, contact 9am to 9pm EST, Monday to Friday, at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected]

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.

Click for an overview of employment information including our benefits package.

Click for additional management benefits.

Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale! Click for more information or to see if you qualify.

In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City of Fort Lauderdale participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option and requires a 3% contribution from employees. All new City of Fort Lauderdale employees are automatically enrolled in FRS. Click to view additional information on the Florida Retirement System.
01

Do you possess a Juris doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or another accrediting authority recognized by the Florida Bar?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you currently a member in good standing of the Florida Bar and licensed to practice law in Florida state courts?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you currently admitted and authorized to practice law in a United States federal court located in Florida?

• Yes
• No

04

Please indicate your total years of professional experience practicing law after admission to the Bar.

• Less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years but less than 7 years
• At least 7 years but less than 10 years
• 10 or more years

05

How many years of experience do you possess serving as first or second chair in jury or bench trials?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

06

In which of the following proceedings have you served as first or second chair? Select all that apply.

• State court jury trials
• State court bench trials
• Federal court jury trials
• Federal court bench trials
• Administrative hearings
• Arbitrations
• Appellate proceedings
• I have not served as first or second chair in any of the above

07

How many years of experience do you possess drafting and arguing substantive motions in civil litigation matters?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

08

Which of the following litigation activities have you independently performed? Select all that apply.

• Developed litigation strategy
• Conducted case-management conferences
• Propounded written discovery
• Responded to written discovery
• Conducted legal research and prepared legal opinions
• Prepared witnesses for trial
• Examined witnesses at trial or an evidentiary hearing
• Negotiated settlements
• Drafted settlement agreements or other legal agreements
• Participated in pretrial hearings
• Participated in administrative hearings
• Handled appellate matters
• None of the above

09

How many years of experience do you possess taking or defending depositions in civil litigation matters?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

10

Which of the following deposition-related activities have you personally performed? Select all that apply.

• Prepared witnesses for depositions
• Defended fact-witness depositions
• Taken expert-witness depositions
• Defended expert-witness depositions
• Prepared governmental or organizational representatives for depositions
• Used deposition testimony in motions or at trial
• I have not performed any of the above

11

How many years of experience do you possess participating in mediations, arbitrations, or settlement negotiations involving civil litigation?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

12

Which of the following areas of experience do you possess? Select all that apply.

• Initiating or defending foreclosure matters
• Filing answers or responsive pleadings in foreclosure matters
• Preparing motions for surplus funds
• Preparing or arguing foreclosure-related summary judgment motions
• Representing a municipality or other governmental entity
• Governmental liability or sovereign immunity
• Advising risk management personnel or insurance adjusters
• Investigating incidents or accidents involving potential litigation
• Preparing litigation-related resolutions or ordinances
• Supervising or directing paralegal or administrative support staff
• None of the above

13

How much professional experience do you possess representing or advising a municipality, county, state agency, special district, or other governmental entity?

• No governmental law experience
• Less than 1 year
• Less than 1 yearAt least 1 year but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

14

Describe your first- or second-chair trial and civil litigation experience. Include the types of cases handled, whether the matters involved jury or bench trials, your role in the proceedings, and your experience with motion practice, depositions, mediations, and settlement negotiations. Do not disclose privileged or confidential information.
15

Explain why you are interested in joining the City of Fort Lauderdale's City Attorney's Office as an Assistant City Attorney II in the litigation group. What relevant experience, skills, and professional strengths would you bring to the position?
Required Question