DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL

County of Los Angeles; California; On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Los Angeles seeks qualified candidates for emergency Deputy County Counsel to provide legal representation and advice to the Board of Supervisors and County departments during a declared emergency.

Initial appointments may be up to 90 days with potential for permanent County employment based on performance and needs. Bar admission in CA and ability to appear in court are required, with supervision of external counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in the practice of public agency law, or civil law experience in probate, contracts, healthcare, employment, workers' compensation, real property, environmental, land use, litigation, intellectual property, or child dependency proceedings.
• Admission to practice law in all courts of California is required.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and represents the Board of Supervisors, County departments, and agencies in litigation and advisory matters.
• Supervises external counsel in assigned cases and directs trial strategy and procedures.
• Advises on legislation, ordinances, and amendments to State and County codes.
• Represents the County in complex litigation across tort, contract, regulatory, zoning, labor, and related matters.

Job description

Exam Number

U9206C-FR

Type of Recruitment

Open Competitive - Emergency

First Date of Filing

Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Open Continuous. This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

Reposting Information

This announcement is being reposted to accept additional applications.

The LA County Board of Supervisors has unanimously ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the windstorms and wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, that have devastated communities across the County. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to assist the County in mobilizing resources and support needed to help our residents recover and rebuild. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

County Counsel is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Deputy County Counsel vacancies related to this unprecedented natural disaster.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Deputy County Counsel.

About the Los Angeles County Office of the County Counsel

The Office of County Counsel provides legal representation, advice and counsel to the Board of Supervisors, County departments, special districts, and other public agencies, such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), as mandated and authorized by the County charter and State statutes. The Office provides a broad range of legal services directed at promoting the public service objectives of the County and other entities, while protecting the County and other entities from loss and risk. The Office of County Counsel is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and antiracism (IDEA), and we believe these principles are necessary to build a culture of belonging for all employees, volunteers, and contractors. Our commitment is to deliberately and intentionally advance IDEA and, by doing so, more effectively serve the County of Los Angeles.

Benefits

The County of Los Angeles offers one of the strongest public-sector benefits package in the nation, including a wide range of health care options, pensions through LACERA, 401k and 457b savings plans with matching, and 13 paid Holidays.

Definition

Performs the most difficult legal assignments in providing advice to and representing the Board of Supervisors, the County and its departments/agencies and/or the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in litigation and may supervise subordinate attorneys.

Classification Standards

These positions are allocated only to the Office of the County Counsel and typically receive general direction, from an Assistant County Counsel, primarily pertaining to policy. Deputy County Counsel positions are responsible for assignments involving the most difficult and complex legal matters, which requires a high degree of initiative, skill and specialized legal knowledge or acting as principal legal advisor to a large County department or special district or a separate agency, such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This class is the first level at which supervisory duties may be assigned and requires that incumbents be able to exercise knowledge of the principles of supervision and have a thorough knowledge of legal principles and their application. In addition, incumbents must possess the ability to appear in federal and state court, and administrative hearings. Represents, advises and prepares legal documents for one or more County departments, special boards, commissions, or other governmental bodies whose functions regularly require the resolution of difficult legal issues regarding their powers, functions, jurisdiction, procedures, and operations. Represents the County in difficult litigation involving such areas as tort liability, contract, regulatory actions, zoning, labor, workers' compensation, probate or juvenile dependency. Works with County departments to draft and pursue legislation, ordinances, and amendments to State and County codes. Supervises external counsel in the management of their assigned cases, addressing inquiries related to procedural matters or trial strategies.

Requirements to Qualify

Two (2) years of experience in the practice of public agency law, or civil law experience in areas such as probate, contracts, healthcare, employment, workers' compensation, real property, environmental, land use, litigation, intellectual property, or child dependency proceedings.

You MUST meet the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

License

Admission to practice law in all courts of California.

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class

Physical Class II – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Special Requirement Information

• *Public agency law refers to representing the government of a State or political subdivision thereof; an agency of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State; or any interstate government agency.


• **A copy of a valid and active California Bar card with a visible watermark of the year - OR - A printed copy of the member profile information from the State Bar of California website, with an \"Active\" status designation. If you are unable to attach the required document(s), you must email them to [e-mail] at the time of filing or within five (5) calendar days from the application submission date.

Applications received without this required documentation will be rejected as incomplete.

Desirable Qualifications

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with experience beyond the requirements in the practice of probate, contracts, healthcare, employment, workers' compensation, real property, environmental, land use, litigation, intellectual property, or child dependency proceedings.

Examination Content

During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment to Deputy County Counsel.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Office of the County Counsel is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Social Security Number

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries

For applicants who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

No Sharing of User ID and Password

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Ada Coordinator Phone

ADA Coordinator Phone: [phone]
Teletype Phone: [phone]
Alternate Teletype Phone: [phone]
California Relay Services Phone: [phone]
Department Contact Name: Raquel Guerrero
Department Contact Email: [e-mail]