Attorney V

State of California; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California seeks an Attorney V to serve as the department's top expert in complex and difficult legal fields within the Legal Division, San Diego Legal Office. The role involves independent work on the most challenging litigation, studies, interpretation and application of laws, and preparing the most complex opinions and briefs.

The position requires leadership, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to mentor junior staff while managing high-stakes transactional

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of legal principles.
• Significant experience in complex cases.
• Ability to mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Handle the most difficult and complex litigation and transactional work.
• Prepare and present cases for trial; interpret and apply laws and court decisions.
• Provide leadership within the Legal Division and advise on high-stakes matters.

Skills

Advanced legal expertise

Complex litigation experience

Mentoring junior staff

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Ethical conduct

Job description

Under the general direction and reporting to the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel and/or Attorney Supervisor, the Attorney V works as the Department's highest levels of expertise in complex and difficult legal fields. Working independently as the top expert in the Department's Legal Division in their subject matter, incumbents at this level are involved in the most difficult and most complex litigation, which includes innovative theories; studies, Interpretation and application of laws, court decisions, and other authorities in preparing the most difficult and/or complex cases, opinions and briefs; prepares and presents cases for trial; specialization in law; and/or does a variety of the most difficult, complex and/or politically sensitive transactional work.

PARF# 42-27-0082 / JC- 535276

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Attorney V exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Employees in this classification may be eligible for a Recruitment Hire-Above Minimum Authorization salary rate commensurate to CalHR salary laws, rules, and regulations.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY V

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:

An Attorney V should possess a range of desirable qualifications that demonstrate their expertise, professionalism, and leadership within the legal field. These qualifications typically include advanced knowledge of legal principles, significant experience in complex cases, and the ability to mentor junior staff. Additionally, an Attorney V is expected to exhibit strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proven track record of ethical conduct. The combination of these qualifications ensures that an Attorney V can effectively manage challenging legal matters and contribute to the success of the Legal Division, San Diego Legal Office.