Consumer Protection Attorney

State of California; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California, Department of Justice – Consumer Protection Section, seeks Deputy Attorneys General to handle cutting-edge investigations and enforcement actions under state consumer protection and privacy laws. The role emphasizes technology, criminal prosecutions, and high-profile litigation with nationwide impact.

The position involves litigating civil cases, performing in-depth investigations, presenting evidence, and drafting amicus briefs while engaging with victims, witnesses,

Qualifications

• Experience with complex litigation.
• Exceptional writing and research skills.
• Persuasive oral advocacy and negotiation.
• Well organized, detail-oriented, and capable of high-intensity work.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Interest in understanding emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

• Litigate civil cases at trial and appellate levels.
• Investigate, research, and draft settlements and restitution plans.
• Review search warrants and present evidence at hearings, trials, and other proceedings.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, other states' attorneys general, and federal agencies.
• Draft amicus briefs and review proposed legislation.

Job description

The Consumer Protection Section is looking for lawyers to handle cutting-edge investigations and enforcement actions under California's consumer protection and privacy laws. In particular, the Consumer Protection Section is looking for lawyers with both experience and interest in technology or criminal prosecution. Deputy Attorneys General in the Consumer Protection Section enforce and vindicate the rights of California consumers by investigating and prosecuting violations of state laws that prohibit false advertising and unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business acts and practices. The section's work is high profile and often involves complex litigation with a nationwide impact. Areas of focus include unfair and deceptive acts and practices targeting immigrants, the elderly, service members, veterans, and other vulnerable populations; predatory lending, debt collection, fintech, and other consumer financial products and services; for-profit schools and student lending; and tenant protection and other housing matters. In the technology space, attorneys focus on algorithmic discrimination and coercion, online safety, artificial intelligence, and other technological issues encountered in the enforcement of consumer protection and privacy laws. Attorneys also investigate and prosecute white-collar crimes impacting consumers, such as grand theft and identity theft, including by reviewing search warrants and presenting financial and digital evidence at preliminary hearings, trials, and other criminal proceedings. In addition to investigating and litigating consumer protection cases, Deputy Attorneys General in the section draft amicus briefs on significant consumer protection issues, review proposed legislation and regulations affecting consumers, and engage in consumer education and advocacy.

Typical duties include litigating civil cases at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts; conducting in-depth investigations and performing legal and other research; negotiating and drafting settlements and restitution plans; working with local law enforcement throughout California, attorneys general in other states, and other state and federal agencies in joint actions; prosecuting criminals in state court; drafting amicus briefs; and proposing and reviewing legislation.

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

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

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

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:

Applicants should have experience with complex litigation, possess exceptional writing and research skills, be persuasive oral advocates and negotiators, and exercise sound judgment. In addition, applicants should be well organized, detail-oriented, and skilled at working efficiently and with intensity on high-profile cases. Applicants should be able to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment and be skilled at interacting professionally and effectively with victims and witnesses, experts, investigative targets, sister agencies, and other stakeholders. Applicants should have an interest in and aptitude for understanding emerging technologies. Although not required, the ideal candidates will have familiarity with algorithmic decision-making, cloud systems, machine learning, and fundamental computer system components and design principles. The ideal candidates will have training and experience related to the section’s work; experience developing case strategy and managing cases; a demonstrated interest in consumer protection or in the public interest; and experience in consumer protection and privacy laws, civil or criminal investigation and prosecution, or financial products and services.