Description:
Job Description and Duties:The Tort and Condemnation Section of the A California State Agency's Office provides legal representation to the State of California, its State agencies, and employees. Our deputies litigate matters involving civil rights, mass torts arising out of floods and fires, excessive force, due process, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, personal injury, premises liability, medical malpractice, and more. Attorneys of all levels have the opportunity to develop and hone their litigation and trial skills as part of our collaborative team.
Duties include:
- Directly handling a varied caseload of tort matters that are often high-profile and involve issues of first impression.
- Engaging in all aspects of civil litigation, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, trial, settlement, and appeal.
- Representing the Governor's Office in litigation matters.
- Working with experts in a multitude of disciplines, including hydraulics, accident investigation, excessive force, engineering, and medical specialists.
- First- and second-chairing jury trials.
- Appearing in state and federal court at all levels.
- Drafting appellate briefs and conducting oral arguments.
- Communicating and coordinating directly with clients about case status and strategy.
- Working collaboratively with team members, trial teams and supervisors.
- Representing the State, its agencies and representatives, including the Attorney General and Governor's Office, in litiations matters.
For any inquiries about the position, the Deputy Attorney General Examination, or the application process, please contact Deputy Attorney General Cristina M. Matsushima (Cristina.Matsushima@doj.ca.gov) or recruiters@doj.ca.gov.
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.
Additional Documents
Department Information:
Special Requirements:
- Deputy Attorney General III
- Deputy Attorney General IV
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Department Information:
- These positions are located in the Division of Civil Law, Tort & Condemnation Section and may be filled in Sacramento (JC-448894), Oakland (JC-448895), San Francisco (JC-448896), Fresno (JC-448897), Los Angeles (JC-448898), or San Diego (JC-448899).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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-448898) 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
- 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:
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.
- Civil litigation experience in state or federal courts
- Experience in tort and personal injury defense
- Excellent legal research skills, writing skills, and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to identify, analyze, and propose 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.
