Deputy Attorney General - Employment Law Section

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California, through the California Department of Justice's Employment Law Section, seeks an attorney with 0-5 years of experience to advance litigation and trial skills in civil employment matters.

You will handle matters under FEHA, Title VII, ADA, FMLA/CFRA, whistleblower protections, and related laws while serving California's people. Strong written advocacy, interview skills, and client communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing of the California State Bar.
• 0-5 years of experience in employment and civil litigation.
• JD degree and admission to the California Bar.
• Residency in California required.

Responsibilities

• Handle complex civil employment cases from drafting to trial.
• First- and second-chair jury and bench trials.
• Appear at State Personnel Board hearings.
• Draft appellate briefs before Courts of Appeal and Ninth Circuit.
• Provide detailed case analyses and recommendations to clients.
• Train state agencies on employment matters.

Skills

Legal research

Witness interviews

Written advocacy

Trial experience

Client communication

Collaboration

Litigation strategy

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Document management software

Job description

Do you love litigation and want more trial experience? Are you committed to serving the people of the State of California? Are you interested in defending the operations of over 100 critical state agencies?

As part of our Employment Law Section practice group of the California Department of Justice, you will handle challenges involving the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, and the whistleblower protection act, among others. ELS is looking for attorneys with 0-5 years of experience to develop and hone their litigation and trial skills.

ELS deputy duties include:

• Handling all aspects of complex civil employment cases, including drafting and arguing motions, interviewing witnesses, conducting depositions and other discovery, preparing and arguing summary judgment motions, conducting expert discovery, and preparing for trial.
• First- and second-chairing jury and bench trials.
• Handling contested administrative evidentiary hearings before the State Personnel Board.
• Defending agency administrative actions against petitions for writ of mandamus.
• Drafting appellate briefs and arguing before the Courts of Appeal and Ninth Circuit.
• Obtaining work safety and gun violence restraining orders.
• Communicating with clients, including providing detailed case analyses and recommendations.
• Providing training, guidance, and advice to state agencies on a variety of employment and personnel matters.
• Communicating with judges, court staff, juries, and witnesses.
• Working cooperatively, professionally, and effectively with colleagues, opposing counsel, and clients.

All applicants must reside in California and be active members in good standing of the California State Bar.

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

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website (under Unit 2 - Attorneys and Hearing Officers) and the CalPERS website.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

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:

• Excellent legal research skills
• Ability to interview witnesses and examine both percipient and expert witnesses at depositions, hearings, and trials
• Effective written advocacy skills in preparing briefs, presenting testimony, and advocating at hearings before administrative bodies, trial courts, and appellate courts
• Ability to learn and competently navigate litigation and document management software
• Ability to clearly and respectfully advise and communicate with clients, colleagues, and court personnel
• Openness to collaboration, including receiving feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients on case strategy and written work product
• Experience presenting testimony, and advocating at hearings before administrative bodies, trial courts, and appellate courts
• Civil litigation experience obtained as a law clerk or extern
• Employment litigation 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. We value having a team diverse in viewpoints and life experiences because it enhances the quality of our legal work, and ultimately allows us to best represent our clients.