Closing Date: 9th October, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:The Secretary of State's office is seeking to fill multiple permanent, full-time Attorney vacancies. Telework is available based upon the agency's telework policy and business needs.
The Legal Affairs unit within the Secretary of State's office provides legal advice relating to all functions of the agency. This may include responding to legal issues involving elections, businesses, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures. The duties are varied and interesting.
Under the direction of the Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent will play a vital role for the Secretary of State by performing a broad range of legal work, as follows:
- Legal Review, Legal Program Advisor and Oversight: Performs the legal work on behalf of the Agency, including legal review of various documents and contracts, legal research and opinion drafting for the agency; responds to legal correspondence and develops and updates agency procedures and policies to ensure legal compliance. Provides legal support and advice to agency management and staff on matters related to the agency's functions, roles and responsibilities. Assists with procurement and issues relating to contracting, including negotiating and drafting procurement documents, reviewing and drafting contracts, representing the agency in protests, risk management, security, and intellectual property.
- Administrative Proceedings and Civil Litigation: Research applicable laws, rules and regulations in order to aide in development of strategy and tactics in legal disputes, which may include assisting the Attorney General's office in litigation involving the agency. Provides legal advice to all levels of staff regarding division and/or agency legal issues with general or statewide impact. May represent the agency in complex administrative proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings, California Department of Human Resources and the State Personnel Board.
- Legislation and Regulations: Develops, interprets and/or provides legal review of various documents or information such as statewide regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and other legal documents. Drafts and reviews proposed legislative changes, makes recommendations regarding division-wide and statewide impacts, acts as liaison to external stakeholders, and prepares written or verbal comments for submission to the Legislature setting forth the position of the Secretary of State regarding proposed legislation.
- Document Production: Reviews of Public Records Act (PRA) requests, other public and legislative inquiries, and the Agency's responses. Coordinates divisional responses to subpoenas, as needed, which may involve directing staff to research and copy responsive documents, reviewing responsive records for compliance, writing affidavits, and communicating with the courts or subpoenaing attorneys.
- Management Representation and Assistance: On behalf of the Secretary of State, acts as liaison with and point of contact for other licensing and taxing State and Local Government Agencies related to business entities.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience with general corporate and business-related statutes or with state or federal securities laws.
- Knowledge of California's legislative and administrative rule process.
- Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications.
- Ability to meet deadlines, take initiative, and work independently and/or in a team environment.
- Consistent attention to detail.
- Ability to interact effectively with the public, Agency personnel, and other stakeholders.
- Experience drafting legal memoranda and responding to discovery.
Statement of Qualifications
Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications detailing how they meet the “Desirable Qualifications” listed above. The Statement of Qualifications must be no more than two (2) pages typed, using business professional font, font size, and formatting. Applications that do not follow the directions as identified above, provide incomplete responses, or do not submit a Statement of Qualifications will not be considered.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33351685&name=DutyStatementTemplateforAttorneyNewVersion-Final.pdf)
Working Conditions:
Positions provide telework opportunities based upon the agency's telework policy and business needs.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5778)
Additional Documents
Department Information:
The Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) consists of nearly 750 dedicated public servants who uphold the rights of Californians while also striving to make our government, elections, and businesses both accessible and transparent. Led by an elected leader, accountable to the public, we are dedicated to fostering career development opportunities and growing a skilled workforce that embraces inclusion and values diversity.
Located in downtown Sacramento, the SOS building is within walking distance to a variety of eateries and amenities. Light Rail, State Capitol, Downtown Commons (DOCO), and Golden 1 Center, just to name a few. Conveniently located in the SOS building, the Gold Rush Grille offers delicious daily specials for breakfast or lunch and is open to the public. Our on-site childcare incorporates programs for children six weeks to five years old. Priority waitlist access and special discounted rates are available for SOS employees.
For more information about the SOS, please visit sos.ca.gov.
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction.
Special Requirements:
Special Requirements: Membership in the State Bar of California is a requirement.
Examination Information:
Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following link: Calcareers.ca.gov
There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the Department of Rehabilitation LEAP Certification website. (https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/LEAP)
Application Instructions:
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 10/9/2026
Who May Apply:
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How to Apply:
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Attorney (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5778)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=531383)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33351685&name=DutyStatementTemplateforAttorneyNewVersion-Final.pdf)
Department Information:
The Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) consists of nearly 750 dedicated public servants who uphold the rights of Californians while also striving to make our government, elections, and businesses both accessible and transparent. Led by an elected leader, accountable to the public, we are dedicated to fostering career development opportunities and growing a skilled workforce that embraces inclusion and values diversity.
Located in downtown Sacramento, the SOS building is within walking distance to a variety of eateries and amenities. Light Rail, State Capitol, Downtown Commons (DOCO), and Golden 1 Center, just to name a few. Conveniently located in the SOS building, the Gold Rush Grille offers delicious daily specials for breakfast or lunch and is open to the public. Our on-site childcare incorporates programs for children six weeks to five years old. Priority waitlist access and special discounted rates are available for SOS employees.
For more information about the SOS, please visit sos.ca.gov.
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction.
Special Requirements:
Special Requirements: Membership in the State Bar of California is a requirement.
Examination Information:
Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following link: Calcareers.ca.gov
There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the Department of Rehabilitation LEAP Certification website. (https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/LEAP)
Application Instructions:
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 10/9/2026
Who May Apply:
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How to Apply:
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Secretary of State
Attn: Patricia Mercurio
1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attn: Patricia Mercurio
1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your applic
You may drop off your applic
