Closing Date: 19th February, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:The Government Law Section seeks highly qualified attorneys to practice in a dynamic and collegial environment, where they regularly handle high-profile, consequential, and cutting-edge legal matters, including federal and state constitutional challenges, while serving the public interest. Attorneys represent and advise state officers and agencies (such as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and the Department of Finance) in the defense of state statutes or in affirmative litigation, including against the federal government, in furtherance of state policies and goals. Examples of recent matters that attorneys have handled include litigation challenging the President's deployment of the National Guard in California and in Oregon, defending Proposition 50's Congressional redistricting, defending an array of gun control measures, challenging the President's tariffs, and defending various Internet child safety laws. Our legal matters concern a wide range of issues, including constitutional law and statutory interpretation, administrative procedure, government operations, firearms and other public-safety laws, federal funding, elections, internet privacy, federalism, labor and union issues, housing reform, criminal justice reform, criminal information, state mandates, and other matters. Representation includes regular appearances and argument in state and federal courts throughout the State at all stages of litigation, at both the trial and appellate levels, and in other jurisdictions as required by case needs. Attorneys also prepare titles and summaries for ballot measures and analyze proposed state legislation. If you are well qualified and desire to be part of a talented team that furthers California's important public interests every day, we strongly encourage you to apply.
GLS deputies may largely choose whether to telework or come into the office. There are times when in-office attendance may be required for meetings or operational reasons; in addition, court appearances, hearings, oral arguments, mediations, and other proceedings require in-person attendance. Deputies are also expected to be able to report to the office if an urgent need arises, and, whether teleworking or in the office, are expected to be available for meetings and to promptly respond to emails and phone calls during regular business hours.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Department Information:
Special Requirements:
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: 2/19/2026
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:
- Deputy Attorney General III
- Deputy Attorney General
- Deputy Attorney General IV
- Deputy Attorney General V
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Department Information:
- These positions are located in the Division of Civil Law, Government Law Section, and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles or San Diego. Please clearly state in your cover letter which city you prefer.
- 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.
- 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 are interested in speaking with a Recruiter before submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov.
- Please visit our website: 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 may be required
- Clearly indicate the Job Control (JC-505963) 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.
- May be required to travel to remote locations within the State, sometimes with little notice.
- If you are sending a paper application, please email the HR contact listed below in order to confirm receipt of your materials.
- Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:
- DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: DAG/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: 2/19/2026
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:
Department of Justice
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Attn: Heather Nguyen (JC-505963)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Attn: Heather Nguyen (JC-505963)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Justice
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Heather Nguyen (JC-505963)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Heather Nguyen (JC-505963)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
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:
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:
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, preferably consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief written in the prior year.
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:
Very strong research and writing skills. Excellent p
