THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Orange offers a compelling opportunity for a seasoned legal professional to serve as its next City Attorney at a time of both challenge and renewal. With a tradition of political stability and a collaborative executive team, the City is seeking a trusted legal advisor to help navigate complex governance issues, fiscal constraints, and evolving risk landscapes — all while preserving the small-town values that define Orange’s identity.
THE CITY OF ORANGE
The City of Orange was incorporated in 1888. It has grown to more than 20 times its original geographic size yet managed to maintain the small-town values upon which it was founded. Today, more than 140,000 residents call Orange home within the 27 square miles that make up the City. Its prime location offers direct access to five major freeways, a commuter rail network, one major outlet mall and ample public transportation. Orange is convenient to half a dozen major airports, harbors and ports, amusement parks, and at least ten major shopping malls.
CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Orange operates under a Council-Manager form of government with a seven-member City Council. The City Council is elected by district for four-year overlapping terms with a two-term limit. The Mayor is elected at large for a two-year term with a three-term limit. The Mayor pro-tem is selected by the Councilmembers. The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer and head of the administrative branch of the City government. Orange provides a full range of services for the community through 12 Departments: Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Development, Finance, Community Services, Library Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, City Clerk’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and City Manager’s Office. The City’s 2024-2025 fiscal year budget is approximately $285 million. Orange is currently funded for 753 full-time equivalent positions.
THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
The City Attorney’s Office provides its services through a staff of eight. Included with the City Attorney are three Senior Assistant City Attorneys, a Risk Manager, a Risk Management Analyst, and two Senior Legal Assistants. The stated mission for the department is to be an effective and impartial legal representative for the City of Orange, as governed by its Council and managed by its staff, as well as to uphold the Federal and State constitutions and all laws consistent with those constitutions.
THE POSITION
The City Attorney serves as the chief legal advisor to the City of Orange, working under the policy direction of the City Council. As a key member of the City’s executive leadership team, the City Attorney plays a vital role in shaping policy, mitigating risk, and ensuring that all municipal activities align with applicable laws and regulations.
This is a hands-on leadership position that oversees the full scope of legal services for the City, including civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, administrative hearings, and risk management. The City Attorney provides legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, City departments, and various boards and commissions. The role also involves extensive collaboration with external legal counsel, partner agencies, and the broader community.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law.
Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of practice in the field of public agency law, as well as seven (7) years of management and/or administrative experience in the same.
License: License to practice law in the State of California.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The Orange City Council will negotiate a highly competitive salary and executive benefits package with the selected candidate that is considerate of the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The salary range for the position is $250,000 to $290,000, depending on qualifications. The City contributes an additional 3% on top of salary which can be taken as cash or placed into a 401A Money Purchase Retirement Plan. Employees with a Master’s degree or higher are eligible to receive $600 per month of Education Pay which is reported to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) as pensionable compensation.
Retirement is provided by CalPERS. The City of Orange is one of a few cities in Orange County in which an employee who is a Classic Member of CalPERS (or other reciprocal retirement system), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ 55 formula with one-year final compensation. Classic Member employees contribute 8.0%. Employees who are PEPRA CalPERS members (those obtaining initial membership on or after January 1, 2013), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 62 formula with three-year final compensation. PEPRA employees currently contribute 7.75%.
In addition, the City of Orange observes an on-site 9/80 work schedule from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with City Hall closures every other Friday.
Interested candidates are encouraged to review additional benefit information in the detailed recruitment brochure at www.mosaicpublic.com/careers.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
Interested candidates should apply no later than Monday, June 30, 2025. Submit a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letteronline at:
www.mosaicpublic.com/careers
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
Greg Nelson | greg@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100
