Business Litigation Section (DAG IV; will consi...

Closing Date: 27th October, 2025

Description:

At the California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General, you will be a part of a diverse group of over 5,000 professionals whose primary mission is to deliver fairness and equality under the law, through a broad spectrum of programs and services.

The Business Litigation Section represents state agencies and officials in matters concerning the business of government and government regulation of business. We are recruiting litigators who want to work on a variety of complex and novel legal problems, handle their own cases from start to finish, and work in the public interest.

Our Work Includes:

• Defending constitutional and statutory challenges to state laws and regulations
• Defending decisions of state tax agencies and regulators of the fintech, insurance, and real estate industries
• Representing state agencies and officers in a wide range of public contracting and commercial disputes

Deputies Are Expected To:

• Research and draft cogent, persuasive, and concise trial court pleadings and appellate briefs and provide independent legal advice
• Litigate cases in California's state and federal courts, and bankruptcy courts nationally
• Adhere to the highest standards of public service, client service, professionalism, civility, and the ethical practice of law

We assign cases based on experience and skill and provide training and opportunities for professional advancement.

Currently, all deputies have the option of 100% telework or work in the office but must reside in California and must appear in person as operational need requires.

Internal as well as external candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=29233208&name=BLSDAG-DAGIVDS.pdf).

Department Information:

• This position is located in the Division of Civil Law, Business Litigation Section and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Please clearly indicate in your cover letter which city you prefer.
• Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
• The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary (Hiring Above Minimum Policy).
• The starting salary for each classification will be:
• Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,846 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,956
• Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
• Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
• Deputy Attorney General V (Lateral): 14,051
• New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications.
• DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.
• If you would like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov.
• For more information about the department please visit the Attorney General's website at www.oag.ca.gov.
• Please visit our webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.
• 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 actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR.

Special Requirements:

• A fingerprint check will be required.
• Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-493662) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your STD 678 State Application.
• Must be able to travel, sometimes out of state.
• Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at http://oag.ca.gov/careers/how-to-apply
• Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:
• Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: Attorney Examination
• DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination
• DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination

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: 10/27/2025

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:
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Justice
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Attn: Heather Nguyen (JC-493662)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Justice
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Heather Nguyen (JC-493662)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Cover letter.
• Other - Writing sample consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief preferably written in the prior year.
• Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications:
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Civil litigation experience, including conducting offensive and defensive discovery, drafting dispositive pleadings and motions, and courtroom argument
• Commercial/contract litigation experience
• Appellate experience
• Bankruptcy litigation experience
• Experience with IT or IT contracts

Deputies are public officials. They must comply with state financial disclosure, conflict of interest laws and regulations, as well as the State Bar of California rules of professional conduct.

Benefits:
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website (under Unit 2 - Attorneys and Hearing Officers) and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
Heather Nguyen
(916) 210-6444
Heather.Nguyen@doj.ca.gov