Health, Education & Welfare Deputy Attorney General IV - Deputy Attorney General IV (Hybrid) job in San Diego, CA

Closing Date: 10th April, 2025

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
The Health, Education, and Welfare section (HEW) is looking for talented and motivated litigators to handle some of this Office's most cutting edge, high-impact, and high-profile cases. HEW attorneys represent numerous state agencies, including the Departments of Health Care Services, Public Health, State Hospitals, Social Services, and Education, along with the Attorney General and the Governor, in constitutional and other challenges to critical state laws and policies concerning public health, benefits, social services, and education. Because our cases involve many issues residing at the center of today's policy debates, they frequently garner public and media attention.

In addition to working to protect access to public benefits such as Medi-Cal, unemployment insurance, and in-home supportive services, HEW defends against novel constitutional and statutory challenges, such as to state vaccine policy, the privacy rights of students in our public schools, the protections afforded by the End of Life Option Act, and programs to assist minority or disadvantaged individuals and to protect principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. HEW's cases include civil complaints and broad-based writ-of-mandate actions for declaratory and injunctive relief challenging state laws, regulations, and orders; appeals of agency administrative decisions; evidentiary trials to protect vulnerable segments of our population living in skilled nursing facilities; and extensive appellate litigation.

HEW places a premium on having a team with diverse viewpoints and life experiences because it enhances our ability to provide our best legal representation to our numerous client agencies charged with administering policies and programs that are vitally important to all Californians. If you want a litigation job that is interesting, challenging, and impactful, with the opportunity learn from and work with some of the Office's most skilled attorneys, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Duties include:

Representing state agencies and high-level officials in all phases of civil litigation, from inception through trial and appeal
Managing your own caseload, including development of case strategy by directly interfacing with clients
Preparing and arguing dispositive motions and responsive pleadings; drafting written discovery; taking and defending depositions; and representing clients at trial or merits hearing
Researching and drafting increasingly complex briefing on appeal, with the potential for oral argument before courts of appeal
Providing advice and counsel to our clients, including detailed case analyses and recommendations
Interacting and working effectively with colleagues, opposing counsel, clients, the courts, and other interested parties

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.

Working Conditions:
All applicants must reside in California and be members in good standing of the California State Bar. This is a hybrid position with the opportunity to work remotely or in the office, with two-to-three in-person days required each month. Travel and in-person attendance may be required for trials, court appearances, witness interviews, depositions, and operationally as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Deputy Attorney General IV
Deputy Attorney General
Deputy Attorney General III
Deputy Attorney General V

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement

Department Information:

This position is located in the Division of Civil Law, Health, Education & Welfare Section, and may be filled in either Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Please clearly indicate which city you prefer in your cover letter.
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. The starting salary for each classification will be:

Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,588 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,666
Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $11,695
Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $12,925
Deputy Attorney General V (lateral only): $13,642

New to State candidates will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classification.
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 new webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.

Special Requirements:

A fingerprint check will be required.
Must be willing and able to work a full-time schedule which may exceed a 40 hour week when operational needs require.
Deputies must be active members of the California State Bar.
Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-471102) 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.
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/exams.
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:

Superior legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
Strong interest in handling a caseload that requires a full range of litigation skills, including drafting pleadings and motions practice and conducting discovery
Desire for trial experience including, witness examination, evidentiary objections, opening statements and closing arguments, deposition skills, and written discovery
Ability to work independently and in teams efficiently under time pressure, while applying excellent legal and strategic judgment and producing high-quality work
Ability to present coherent, well-researched, and concise arguments before the court, both orally and in writing
Ability to handle a rigorous caseload under tight deadlines
Openness to collaboration, including receiving feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients on written work product
Demonstration of a genuine interest in working for the government

A successful candidate will also be well-organized, detail-oriented, team-oriented, and have a positive attitude, excellent work ethic, and strong interpersonal skills.

Deputies are public officials who represent the State and the Attorney General. We expect deputies to treat clients, staff, and opposing counsel with the highest levels of respect, civility, and professionalism. They must act in the public interest and comply with financial-disclosure and conflict-of-interest laws and regulations, as well as the rules of professional conduct.