Closing Date: 18th September, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:The Litigation Specialist serves as the OLC's top expert in litigation, acting as the primary attorney managing the OLC's litigation portfolio. This includes providing legal representation and advice to the OLC, Assembly, Senate, and other clients in difficult, complex, and sensitive litigation matters, focusing on pre-litigation advice, evaluation of claims, case-strategy development, and motion practice. The Litigation Specialist is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and revising legal documents such as pleadings, motions, writs, briefs, memoranda, and correspondence; appearing in state and federal trial and appellate courts and administrative proceedings; coordinating with, and overseeing the work of, outside counsel; monitoring pending litigation matters; tactfully and effectively communicating with clients, supervisors, colleagues, opposing counsel, or others; preparing responses to subpoenas and requests for records submitted under the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA); and performing various administrative functions such as scheduling, filing, document review, case status reporting, and maintaining appropriate case files. The position is also responsible for performing other legal work commensurate with the scope and level of responsibility of an Attorney V and the work of the OLC's Legislative Services Branch, which includes but is not limited to preparing legal advice and providing consultation to clients on difficult, complex, and sensitive issues in a variety of legal areas.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33142397&name=LSBAttorneyV(Litigation)DutyStatement_FINAL.pdf)
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Department Information:
The Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) is a small civil service department whose mission is to provide responsive nonpartisan and confidential legal services and information technology support services to the California State Legislature and in support of the legislative process. This position is located in the heart of downtown Sacramento. The State of California provides excellent health benefits and retirement options, sick leave and vacation accrual, and paid state holidays. OLC employees are excluded from collective bargaining and, therefore, receive enhanced benefits and do not contribute fair share.
Special Requirements:
Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your STD 678, resume, or school transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your social security number, birthdate, student identification number, driver license number (unless required), examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. (Note confidential information on the first page of the application submitted online through your CalCareers account will be redacted automatically upon submission.)
Examination and Employment Application (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33142397&name=LSBAttorneyV(Litigation)DutyStatement_FINAL.pdf) (STD 678):
Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Failure to complete the STD. 678 in its entirety may result in disqualification.
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: 9/18/2026
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:
- Attorney V (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5781)
- Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=529488)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33142397&name=LSBAttorneyV(Litigation)DutyStatement_FINAL.pdf)
Department Information:
The Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) is a small civil service department whose mission is to provide responsive nonpartisan and confidential legal services and information technology support services to the California State Legislature and in support of the legislative process. This position is located in the heart of downtown Sacramento. The State of California provides excellent health benefits and retirement options, sick leave and vacation accrual, and paid state holidays. OLC employees are excluded from collective bargaining and, therefore, receive enhanced benefits and do not contribute fair share.
Special Requirements:
Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your STD 678, resume, or school transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your social security number, birthdate, student identification number, driver license number (unless required), examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. (Note confidential information on the first page of the application submitted online through your CalCareers account will be redacted automatically upon submission.)
Examination and Employment Application (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33142397&name=LSBAttorneyV(Litigation)DutyStatement_FINAL.pdf) (STD 678):
Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Failure to complete the STD. 678 in its entirety may result in disqualification.
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: 9/18/2026
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:
Office of Legislative Counsel
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
925 L Street, Suite 900
Sacramento, CA 95814
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
925 L Street, Suite 900
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:
Office of Legislative Counsel
N/A
Human Resources
925 L Street, Suite 900
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
N/A
Human Resources
925 L Street, Suite 900
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:
Benefits:
All OLC employees are excluded from collective bargaining, and therefore, receive enhanced benefits, such as CoBen benefit allowance, employer paid life insurance, additional vacation/annual leave, and are not subject to State Disability Insurance payroll withholding. Addi
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.
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 drafting legal pleadings, motions, briefs, and memoranda of law in support of litigation matters; conducting legal research and analysis; familiarity with the discovery process; and participation in oral arguments before state and federal courts.
- Experience in representing clients in state administrative proceedings.
- Knowledge of scope and character of California statutory laws and provisions of the California State Constitution, including their relationship to judicial precedents and federal constitutional provisions and laws, rules, organization, and operation of the California State Legislature; rules of civil procedure; court rules; principles of legal research; purposes, organization, procedures, and work of the Office of Legislative Counsel; and legal principles and precedents and their application to difficult, complex, and novel legal problems.
- Perform and direct legal research; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically; draft and review a large volume of legal correspondence; work effectively under high pressure, tight deadlines, and long hours; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; and follow instructions.
- Experience in a leadership role providing legal representation and advice on difficult, complex, and sensitive legal matters.
- Experience working with outside counsel, and/or managing the work of contract attorneys.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple assignments with accuracy and prioritize work to meet short deadlines.
Benefits:
All OLC employees are excluded from collective bargaining, and therefore, receive enhanced benefits, such as CoBen benefit allowance, employer paid life insurance, additional vacation/annual leave, and are not subject to State Disability Insurance payroll withholding. Addi
