About Our Job

Who We Are

The City Attorney’s Office serves as the chief legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Auditor, City Clerk and Recorder, and all City agencies. Its responsibilities include handling city lawsuits, prosecuting ordinance violations, providing victim support in criminal cases, representing the city in investigations and litigation, advising on contractual and transactional matters, offering regulatory and compliance assistance, addressing employment matters for the city's more than 12,000 workers, and providing guidance on local, state, and federal law.

With a team of over 250 individuals, the City Attorney’s Office is dedicated to protecting resident welfare, enhancing neighborhood quality of life, and responsibly managing taxpayer funds. As advocates for effective governance, transparency, and accountability, the office empowers the city to do its work and prioritizes ethical conduct in all city operations. Whether working with city agencies, engaging community stakeholders, or collaborating with external legal counsel, the office leverages its collective expertise to navigate complex legal challenges and advance key city priorities.

What We Offer

All City and County of Denver emerging talent positions are supported by a trained hiring manager and encouraged to attend up to 4 sessions of professional development each season (Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall). You will be onboarded with a cohort of peers to help you develop your network across the City and go through similar programming throughout your time at the City.

Location

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

What You’ll Do

Our robust internship program gives law students an opportunity to engage in substantive legal work. These internships challenge the incoming members of our profession to apply their education in a real-world setting. All sections are open for potential intern opportunities.

Third year law students can expect real courtroom experience as they practice with experienced municipal attorneys under Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 205.7, Law Student Practice.

• Civil Litigation: The Civil Litigation Section defends the City and its employees from various types of claims, including torts and civil rights. Interns will play an active role in assigned cases in both state and federal court throughout all stages of litigation. Responsibilities may include meeting with clients, drafting pleadings and motions, court appearances, participating in settlement conferences, attending depositions, preparing witnesses for depositions or hearings, and conducting direct or cross-examination of witnesses during hearings or trials in small claims or Denver County Court.

• Employment & Labor Law: The attorneys in the Employment & Labor Law Section defend the City in employment-related litigation involving claims of discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, and more. The attorneys in this section also defend the City its agencies in administrative proceedings at the local and federal level. Interns observe as many different types of legal proceedings as possible, and complete, with guidance, substantive hands-on work including research and writing motions.

• Municipal Operations: The Municipal Operations Section of the City Attorney’s Office provides legal services for the City related to land use and zoning, real estate and development, parks and open space, public works, taxation, bankruptcy, contracts, construction, environmental and general municipal law. The Section also handles commercial litigation matters, condemnations and administrative hearings, and represents the City in Rule 106 appeals. Municipal Operations provides general counsel and advice to City Council, the Auditor, the City Clerk and the Mayor’s Office, as well as to every department and agency of the City except Denver International Airport (DEN). Intern assignments range from assisting and observing attorneys to conducting legal research and preparing memoranda, drafting simple motions, contracts, and documents, and attending court, administrative hearings, City Council, and meetings.

What You’ll Bring

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Strong organizational and time-management skills and the ability to meet deadlines

• Willing to accept critique and feedback

• The ability to work well with others

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: Current enrollment in an accredited college program leading to a certificate, licensure, associates, bachelor’s, or higher degree or a recent graduate (completed specified program within 1 year of completion)

• Experience Requirement: None

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

• Licensure: None

Mandatory documentation required to be considered for this position:

• Resume (with most current information)

• Transcripts – either official or unofficial; dated within your current academic term

Application Deadline

This posting will accept applications until 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 18, 2025 . Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

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

Position Type

Position Salary Range

Starting Pay

Agency

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 Jobs@Denvergov.org 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.