Description:

Duties:
The Correctional Law Section is one of the largest in the Civil Division of the A California State Agency, with approximately 125 deputies in several locations statewide. The Correctional Law Section is seeking qualified attorneys to work on class action cases that the section handles, including large-scale federal class actions concerning prisoners' civil rights and various constitutional claims.

Duties include:
  • Handling all aspects of the section's complex and high-profile cases
  • Working with and advising high-ranking government officials at various state agencies, including the Governor's Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Department of State Hospitals, and the Department of Finance.
  • Investigating facts and analyzing documentary evidence
  • Appearing in all levels of state and federal courts
  • Traveling as necessary for depositions, witness interviews, client meetings, and site inspections inside correctional institutions statewide

This is a full-time position, in a collegial office environment, with opportunities for intermittent telework.

Special Requirements:
  • A fingerprint check will be required.
  • Travel to state prisons, including some in remote areas, may be required.
  • Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-408260) 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 State Application.
  • If mailing application via US Postal Service, please contact the HR Hiring Consultant below to confirm receipt of application.
  • If you submit your application by US Postal Service, please contact the HR consultant listed below to confirm it was recevied.
  • 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

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:
  • Strong research and writing skills
  • Experience handling complex litigation
  • Experience drafting discovery motions, dispositive motions, and appellate briefs
  • Strong oral-argument skills
  • Experience appearing in trial and appellate courts
  • Experience participating in mediations or settlement conferences
  • Experience in civil discovery, depositions, trial preparation, bench or jury trials, and appellate work
  • Interest in correctional law, prison procedures, and applicable constitutional law
  • Ability to handle cases independently

Successful applicants will have recent experience working on all phases of class-action suits—including the pleading stage, the class-certification stage, trial or settlement, and the remedial phase—or recent experience working on other similar types of complex litigation.