Special Litigation Advisor

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California seeks Special Litigation Advisors to provide expert legal analysis on department-wide issues related to federal accountability. The role supports the CCSL and Directorate in evaluating constitutional and administrative law matters, and reviews federal litigation for the Attorney General and client agencies.

The position emphasizes independent work, rigorous analytical writing, and the ability to present clear advice to diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to present advice in a professional manner and make presentations to a variety of stakeholders.
• Writes clearly to communicate legal and strategic analysis.
• Broad experience with federal litigation in various postures.
• Experience with federal accountability work.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage communications and legal actions concerning federal accountability.
• Review and assist with federal litigation performed on behalf of the Attorney General and client agencies.
• Support the Chief Counsel for Special Litigation (CCSL) and Directorate in developing and implementing departmental policies and operational practices.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including the Governor’s Office, state legislators, agencies, and private advocacy organizations.

Skills

Legal analysis

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Federal litigation

Organizational skills

Job description

Special Litigation Advisors serve as expert legal consultants on department-wide legal issues related to federal accountability. They provide complex legal and strategic analysis across a variety of disciplines, such as constitutional law, administrative law, civil rights, environmental protection, and federal funding and appropriations issues. They support the Chief Counsel for Special Litigation (CCSL) and Directorate in developing and implementing departmental policies and operational practices that ensure the timely, thorough, and thoughtful evaluation of federal accountability matters. They also review and assist with federal litigation performed on behalf of the Attorney General and client agencies.

In this role, Special Litigation Advisors coordinate and manage communications and legal actions concerning federal accountability, working closely with internal legal divisions, special assistants, and Directorate. They also engage with external stakeholders, including the Governor’s Office, state legislators, agencies, and private advocacy organizations.

Operating with a significant degree of independence, Special Litigation Advisors carry out their duties under the general oversight of the CCSL.

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

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 communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to present advice in a professional manner and experience making both formal and contemporaneous presentations to a variety of stakeholders. Ability to work across multiple department areas and maintain effective internal working relationships. Writes clearly to communicate legal and strategic analysis. Can review and evaluate work product to ensure consistency with multiple interests. Broad experience with federal litigation in various postures, and exposure to constitutional limitations of federal authority, rule of law, separation of powers, federal remedies, and the Administrative Procedures Act. Experience with federal accountability work. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to effectively balance multiple priorities and track many quickly developing matters in different procedural postures and subject matters. Able to work well under time pressure with all levels of staff.