Welcome to the City Attorney's Office Fellowship Program! We're thrilled to offer recent law school graduates an unparalleled opportunity to kickstart their legal careers through our one-year Legal Fellowship positions. In collaboration with the University of Colorado Law School, and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, our office has crafted a dynamic partnership aimed at fostering legal talent and enriching our community.
**Check your school’s job board in March for the City Attorney’s Office Legal Fellow job posting!**
As a Legal Fellow, you'll dive headfirst into the exciting world of municipal law, gaining hands-on experience as a full-time attorney. From appearing in court to taking depositions, drafting legal documents, and providing invaluable client counsel, our Fellows play an integral role in our legal team's endeavors.
If you're eager to embark on a transformative journey that blends academic rigor with real-world application, we encourage you to connect with your Career Services Department for further details on how to apply. Join us at the forefront of legal innovation and make your mark on the future of our city!
CIVIL LITIGATION FELLOW
The Civil Litigation Section defends the City and its employees from various types of claims, including torts and civil rights. Fellows 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.
DEN LEGAL FELLOW
Airport Legal Services serves as in-house counsel to Denver International Airport, the 6th busiest airport in the nation. The Fellow can expect to be involved in every aspect of running the Airport, which includes: addressing landlord/tenant issues with concessionaires, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations, analyzing land use issues, drafting contracts, dealing with accidents that occur onsite, and other duties as assigned.
Although much of the work is transactional in nature, the Fellow will be exposed to litigation and may have opportunities to attend depositions, hearings, and mediation proceedings. This is an excellent opportunity for an applicant who is interested in eventually acting as in-house counsel for a large corporation.
EMPLOYMENT & LABOR LAW FELLOW
This Fellow will work in the DCAO’S Employment & Labor Law Section, and may be assigned primarily to support the Workers’ Compensation Unit. The Employment & Labor Law Section represents the City and its agencies in a variety of employment law-related claims, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, constitutional claims, worker’s compensation claims, collective bargaining arbitrations, and administrative appeals of personnel actions (discipline, disqualification, lay-off, grievances, etc.). This Section also advises clients on various employment law issues, drafts and reviews policies, conducts training, negotiates collective bargaining agreements, pursues subrogation claims, and monitors investigations.
HUMAN SERVICES FELLOW
A Fellow assigned to the Human Services Legal Services Section must be able to work independently and think on their feet.
The Child Protection Section of the City Attorney’s Office focuses almost exclusively on representing social services caseworkers in dependency and neglect cases. These cases involve heavy court dockets, continuously evolving issues and, at times, emotionally challenging situations. This work can be very satisfying as the focus is always on the rehabilitation of parents, the collaboration of professionals, and the honest presentation of facts to the court. If assigned to this section, a Fellow will receive comprehensive training in this area of the law, including weekly opportunities to represent clients in court, and will be guided by a group of experienced child protection attorneys and support staff.
This Fellowship is a full-time position and will work on projects selected and supervised by the DCAO. The DCAO will supervise the Fellow throughout the duration of the Fellowship.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL FELLOW
Legislative Counsel is a dynamic team who represents the thirteen elected members of the Denver City Council, the legislative arm of the City of Denver, and is looking for a flexible Fellow who can work independently, think on his or her feet, and work with attorneys, elected officials, and city staff. A Fellow selected to work with Legislative Counsel needs to have strong research and writing skills and excellent communication skills. The Fellow can expect to be involved in supporting Legislative Counsel, including researching relevant law, drafting ordinances and regulations, and involvement in the legislative process. The Fellow will work on a wide-range of substantive legal and policy issues, potentially including municipal law and home-rule, real estate and land use, environmental law, and finance law. In addition to working for Legislative Counsel, the Deputy City Attorney and Administration section may assign tasks and projects to this Fellow. The assignments will vary depending on the projects being overseen by the Deputy City Attorney and have, for example, included work on the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund and the National Western Stock Show Center. Working with Legislative Counsel is a great opportunity to develop fundamental legal skills and to work at the forefront of local government law and policy in Colorado.
MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS FELLOW
This Fellow will work in the DCAO’s Municipal Operations Section. The Municipal Operations Section serves as in-house counsel to nearly all City agencies and elected officials and performs a wide range of legal work, including drafting and negotiating contracts, preparing legislation and rules, advising boards and commissions, representing the City in litigation and administrative proceedings, and advising agencies and officials. The substantive range of practice areas with which a Fellow may become involved is also broad: Fellows may work on real estate and development, zoning, taxation, bankruptcy, construction law, environmental law, municipal law, and public finance matters. The Municipal Operations Fellowship is a great opportunity to develop foundational legal skills and gain exposure to different practice areas while working at the forefront of local government law and policy in Colorado.
PROSECUTION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT FELLOW
This Fellow will work in the DCAO’s Prosecution and Criminal Enforcement (PACE) Section. PACE prosecutes some types of minor state violations and all municipal ordinance matters. A Fellow assigned to PACE might specialize in:
• Marijuana policy and law: The Fellow would be researching and writing proposed legislation as well as potentially briefing issues for cases that are being litigated. They would also be intimately involved with licensing and revocation of licensing for MJ businesses.
OR
• Civil in rem actions: The nuisance abatement law in Denver is not a forfeiture law, but a closure law. We file suit against property used in the commission of certain listed predicate offenses and then close that property for a period of time. The Fellow would be responsible for approving police affidavits, filing the claims, going to trial when necessary and researching and writing any appeals of the claims. They would also have the opportunity to meet with owners of property and working out stipulated settlements.
OR
• Criminal prosecution: The Fellow would be representing the City in traffic cases and in cases in which the defendant has been accused of violating any other Municipal Ordinance. The Fellow would have the opportunity to evaluate cases, talk to witnesses, defendants and defense attorneys, make plea offers and eventually prosecute motions and trials.