Deputy City Attorney (Crimes Against Children Unit)

Salary : $113,796.00 - $256,803.12 Annually
Location : Los Angeles, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Branch: Criminal Branch
Division: Prosecution
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: LACAA - MOU 29

Description
The Crimes Against Children (CAC) Unit is a specialized vertical prosecution unit, working in connection with coordinated multidisciplinary teams across the City to provide comprehensive filing review and prosecution of crimes committed against children, including child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, internet-facilitated crimes against children, human trafficking of minors, and significant child physical abuse. Through a vertical prosecution model, the CAC Unit provides continuity of case handling for 100% of child sex abuse cases referred to the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney from filing through disposition, ensuring a coordinated, trauma-informed, and victim-centered response to child victimization. The Unit strengthens collaboration with law enforcement, child welfare agencies, medical providers, schools, and community-based partners to improve investigations, enhance victim safety, and promote offender accountability. In addition to prosecuting cases, the CAC Unit serves as a center of excellence for training, prevention, policy development, legislative advocacy, and implementing best practices in investigating and prosecuting crimes against children.

The CAC Unit is a trial unit consisting of four trial attorneys and one filing/law and motion attorney. Based on operational need, a CAC attorney may be asked to provide assistance and coverage to other Criminal Branch Divisions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviewing referrals of CAC cases
• Forensic interview observation along with MDT participation
• Filing and vertical prosecution of cases
• Drafting and arguing pre-trial and post-trial motions
• Establishing rapport with minor victims following best practice guidelines of the CAC unit
• Victim and witness coordination with advocates from MDT partners and support staff
• Weekly report updates on significant cases for upper management
• Establish working relationships with detectives, officers, social workers and other partners working on CAC cases in each Bureau
• Attend ongoing training through conferences, summits, unit trainings, and off-site trainings
• Provide minimal-fact training for LAPD (will be divided up amongst deputies in the unit)

Rotation

• Deputy City Attorneys selected for these positions may be rotated to other assignments based on operational needs, generally after two to three years. This is intended to provide additional Deputies with opportunities to gain experience in the vertical prosecution of CAC cases.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California.
• Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
• 3 years of prosecution experience
• California Drivers License in good standing and the ability to make court appearances and meet with victims and witnesses throughout the City and County of Los Angeles.

Desired Qualifications

Candidates with significant jury trial experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional preferred qualifications include:

• A broad knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
• Experience prosecuting child sexual abuse and cases involving child victims or witnesses
• Experience with filing procedures, arguing bail, and using the eSCARS system.
• Experience watching forensic interviews and participating in a MDT format.
• Training in the area of child sexual abuse and exploitation cases.
• Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to effectively engage in oral advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with a wide variety of members of the public, law enforcement, social workers, schools, multidisciplinary teams, and the court system with tact, sensitivity, and good judgment.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Familiarity with electronic databases and the electronic and digital presentation of evidence.
• Ability to assist in the preparation of reports, memoranda and legal research.
• Strong ethics and a desire to do justice.

Requirements for Application

• Cover Letter, which should include a brief summary of relevant experience, including all pertinent training conducted and received
• Resume
• Two writing samples that they personally have authored in the last two years.

Supplemental Information
Current Location

City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles or 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 160, Van Nuys. Position is subject to assignment at any location of the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, and may be required to attend proceedings at courthouses and locations across Los Angeles County.

Work Location and Parking

This position requires regular onsite work. Employer-provided parking is limited and may not be available for this classification. Employees may be responsible for securing and paying for parking at nearby facilities. Applicants are encouraged to review available commute and transportation resources through the City's COMMUTEwell program. For more information, please visit:

Probation

Appointment to this exempt position (non Civil-Service) will be subject to a two year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the two-year probationary period will result in tenure with the office.

Annual Salary Range

Deputy City Attorney I: $113,796 - $166,413

Deputy City Attorney II: $135,636 - $198,297

Deputy City Attorney III: $175,642 - $256,803

Classification

Current employees selected for this assignment will be placed through a lateral transfer and retain their current classification, unless otherwise determined by the City Attorney in the exercise of the appointing authority.

Retirement Benefits

Employees participate in the Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System (LACERS), which includes mandatory employee pension contributions through payroll deduction. The City also contributes toward the employee's retirement benefit. Contribution rates are established by the applicable retirement system and may vary based on employee classification, membership status, and other factors. For more information, please visit:

Application and Deadline

Interested candidates should go to: to apply online.

Conflict-of-Interest

This position is designated as Category 1 on the

Contact

Questions? Please email