Description:
Job Description and Duties:The Tort and Condemnation Section of A California State Agency's Office seeks experienced litigation, trial, and appellate attorneys with excellent oral advocacy, analytical, and research skills to work as part of team of highly skilled and experienced attorneys defending and prosecuting complex and mass party litigation with an emphasis on eminent domain and inverse condemnation. The eminent domain and inverse condemnation practice areas involve unique environmental and constitutional issues that can result in appellate review.
The Tort and Condemnation Section represents the state, its agencies, and employees in civil rights, tort, eminent domain and inverse condemnation litigation in both state and federal courts.
Duties include:
- Engaging in all aspects of civil litigation, from inception through trial, settlement, or appeal
- First- and second-chairing jury trials
- Appearing in all levels of state and federal courts
- Handling mass tort litigation, eminent domain matters, and inverse condemnation matters
- Handling a wide range of subject matters, including government tort liability, civil rights, personal injury, premises liability, excessive force, medical malpractice, and due process
- Investigating facts and analyzing documentary evidence
- Timely and professionally communicating with clients, including providing detailed case analyses and recommendations
- Working cooperatively, professionally, and effectively with colleagues, supervisors, opposing counsel, and clients
- Complying with client and department guidelines
- Abiding by ethical and professional standards
All applicants must reside in California and be members in good standing of the California State Bar. Deputies may telework or work in-office at their option but are required to attend regularly scheduled in-person meetings at their local office. Travel and in-person attendance may be required for trials, court appearances, witness interviews, depositions, and operationally as needed.
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P7X675V
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Deputy Attorney General III (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5706)
Deputy Attorney General IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5705)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=408460)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=21787546&name=TortsDAGIII-DAGIVDSonly.pdf)
Department Information:
- These positions are located in the Division of Civil Law, Tort & Condemnation Section and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles or San Diego. Please clearly indicate which city you would prefer to work in your cover letter.
- The hiring unit has established the following cut-off dates for this job control: every Friday. Applications will be reviewed according to the date of
- submission. If your application is submitted after the most recent cut-off date, it will be applied to the next review period. The hiring unit seeks to contact eligible candidates for interviews within 3-4 weeks of submission of their applications.
- 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.
- For more information about the department please visit the Attorney General's website at www.oag.ca.gov.
- If you would like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email recruiters@doj.ca.gov.
Special Requirements:
- A fingerprint check will be required.
- May be required to travel to remote locations within the State, sometimes with little notice.
- Individuals who are new to State service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the Attorney General.Process is described at: http://oag.ca.gov/careers/how-to-apply.
- Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-408460) 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.
- Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:
- DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=21787546&name=TortsDAGIII-DAGIVDSonly.pdf)
- DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination (https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/dag-iv-bulletin.pdf)
- If you have less than 5 years of experience, please apply to JC-408461
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:
A successful candidate should be well organized, detail-oriented, have a positive attitude, and be team-oriented, as well as have an excellent work ethic and strong interpersonal and collaboration skills. Torts deputies are expected to behave with the highest level of professionalism even in high stress situations, and understand and abide by the laws of the State of California, Rules of Professional Responsibility and ethics required of all attorneys of this office.
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 in California state or federal courts is required
- Experience in eminent domain and inverse condemnation is strongly preferred, but not required
- Experience with water or environmental laws is desirable, but not required.
- Experience in tort and personal injury defense is desirable, but not required
- Excellent legal research skills, writing skills, and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to handle all aspects of complex civil litigation, including identifying, analyzing, and proposing solutions to complex issues
- Experience drafting and arguing pre-trial motions, including demurrers, motions to dismiss, and motions for summary judgment
- Ability to interview witnesses and examine both percipient and expert witnesses at depositions, hearings, and trials
- Ability to present effective oral argument at hearings before trial and appellate courts
- Ability to clearly and respectfully advise and communicate with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and court personnel
- Openness to collaboration, including receiving feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients on case strategy and written work product
- Jury trial experience is a plus, but not required
A successful candidate should be well organized, detail-oriented, have a positive attitude, and be team-oriented, as well as have an excellent work ethic and strong interpersonal and collaboration skills. Torts deputies are expected to behave with the highest level of professionalism even in high stress situations, and understand and abide by the laws of the State of California, Rules of Professional Responsibility and ethics required of all attorneys of this office.
