Attorney III - Attorney III (Hybrid)

Closing Date: 13th May, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
The Secretary of State's (SOS) office is seeking to fill a permanent, full-time Attorney III in the Legal Affairs Office. You will play a vital role for our Agency by performing a broad range of sensitive and complex legal work, including representing the Agency in complex litigation.

Under the general direction of the Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel and Attorney Supervisors, duties encompass developing strategy and tactics in complex disputes and litigation, participating at hearings on behalf of the agency, conducting legal research, drafting legal opinions and briefs, participating in negotiations, and rendering legal advice to agency staff. 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. Duties specific to this position are as follows:
Legal Review, Legal Program Advisor and Oversight: Performs difficult and complex 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. Assist 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. Acts as liaison with Department of General Services, Department of Finance, Department of Technology, other departments and the Legislature as needed.

Administrative Proceedings and Civil Litigation: Research applicable laws, rules and regulations to develop strategy and tactics in complex disputes and litigation; and provides legal advice to the Secretary of State, Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel, Attorney Supervisors, and Division Chiefs, management and staff regarding division and/or agency legal issues with general or statewide impact. May represent the agency in administrative proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings, California Department of Human Resources and the State Personnel Board. Assists the Attorney General's Office with interpretation of statutes, regulations, policies and procedures regarding SOS' authority and roles and responsibilities. Reviews complaints, motions, and other pleadings, assists in discovery and trial, including witness and expert preparation. Represents the Agency in litigation related to various programs. Coordinates with the Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel, and Attorney Supervisors to work with the Attorney General's Office for representation in litigation as needed.

Legislation and Regulations: Develops, interprets and/or provides legal review of various documents or information such as statewide regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, Memorandums of Understanding, loan agreements, partnership agreements and other legal documents which may include but are not limited to manuals or correspondence received from other state or local agencies; works with state and local entities to ensure legal compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies as needed; drafts and reviews proposed legislative changes, makes recommendations regarding division-wide and statewide impacts, and testifies before legislative committees; prepares and reviews bill analyses to ensure they meet the standards of law and the agency, 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 Public Records Act (PRA) requests, other public and legislative inquiries and the Agency's responses. Provides legal advice and support to Division management and staff on records requests and correspondence. 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.

Legal Representation and Management Assistance: Provides general legal advice relating to agency issues; assists with managing litigation, conducts outreach, and performs general administrative responsibilities.

Statement of Qualifications: Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications detailing how they meet the “Desirable Qualifications” listed below. 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=31374271&name=AttorneyIII-DutyStatementMarch2026.pdf)

Working Conditions:
This job advertisement indicates whether this position is eligible for telework. All employees who telework are required to be California residents, in accordance with Government Code 14200, and may be required to report to the Secretary of State's Headquarters (Sacramento), when needed, and on short notice. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Minimum Requirements: