Position Summary:
Litigators on the Tax Team work primarily on defending the City in tax refund lawsuits. Issues litigated in these cases include federal and state constitutional doctrines (e.g., Commerce, Due Process, and Equal Protection Clauses, state preemption of city taxing power); valuation of taxable and nontaxable property; interpreting complex federal, state, and local laws and regulations; and the application of the City’s taxes to the diverse and emerging industries comprising San Francisco’s business community. Amounts in dispute range from the tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. Experience with state or local tax matters is not required as litigators on the Tax Team benefit from the subject matter expertise of the Team’s advice attorneys and collaborate with auditors and appraisers in the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector and the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. Qualifications and Prior Experience
Minimum Qualifications: Licensed to practice law in California.
Desired Qualifications:
Five or ideally more years of civil litigation experience.
Experience with complex litigation, ideally litigation involving financial transactions or financial issues (for example, business litigation).Experience with litigation involving constitutional issues and/or statutory interpretation issues.
Experience with complex motion practice and/or appeals.
Ability to assume a high degree of responsibility quickly, work both independently and collaboratively, and identify and assess substantive and procedural legal issues.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently, meet multiple competing deadlines, manage workload changes, and dive into new assignments quickly.
Excellent written and oral communication and advocacy skills.
Ability to manage, investigate, and litigate multiple matters.
Ability to handle all phases of litigation, including written discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement negotiations, non-jury trials, and appeals.
Experience handling court appearances and oral argument.
Familiarity with California civil procedure and San Francisco local rules.
Experience with e-discovery.
Demonstrated interest, comfort, and good working knowledge of sophisticated document review tools.
Ability to work effectively with paralegals, legal assistants, investigators, and other colleagues.
Ability to exercise excellent judgment, adapt to changes, and be curious.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Interest and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
