Staff Attorney for the LCO

California Department of Industrial Relations; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Industrial Relations in Los Angeles seeks an Attorney III to represent the LCO as lead counsel for the Retaliation Complaint Investigation unit. The role advises the Labor Commissioner and public agencies on employment law, handling litigation, negotiations, hearings, and legal research.

Travel and a strong commitment to labor rights are required. The position supports a hybrid work environment and offers responsibilities across high-profile matters with potential

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• SOQ required as part of the application package.
• Ability to travel as needed for cases and assignments.
• Experience advising public agencies on employment law.

Responsibilities

• Represent the LCO and act as lead counsel for the Retaliation Complaint Investigation unit.
• Advise the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies on California employment law.
• Perform litigation, negotiations, hearings, and legal research; draft legal opinions.
• Lead or mentor lower-level attorney staff and manage a substantial workload.

Skills

Litigation

Negotiations

Legal research

Legal writing

Education

Active California State Bar

Job description

Job Description And Duties

Under the general direction of an Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent works with broad discretion and independence to perform the more complex and sensitive legal work of the Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO). The incumbent will represent the LCO and act as lead counsel for the Retaliation Complaint Investigation unit, advising the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies, on California employment law. The incumbent is assigned to perform a variety of tasks such as litigation, negotiations, and legislative liaison work, hearings, legal research, and legal opinion writing on cases that may be appealed to the highest courts. May serve as a lead to lower level attorney staff. The incumbent possesses a strong motivation to work on and contribute to labor, employment rights-related matters. This position manages a substantial workload, which may be subject to strict time constraints or involve high-profile cases. The ability to travel is also required for this position.

Job Description And Duties

Under the general direction of an Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent works with broad discretion and independence to perform the more complex and sensitive legal work of the Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO). The incumbent will represent the LCO and act as lead counsel for the Retaliation Complaint Investigation unit, advising the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies, on California employment law. The incumbent is assigned to perform a variety of tasks such as litigation, negotiations, and legislative liaison work, hearings, legal research, and legal opinion writing on cases that may be appealed to the highest courts. May serve as a lead to lower level attorney staff. The incumbent possesses a strong motivation to work on and contribute to labor, employment rights-related matters. This position manages a substantial workload, which may be subject to strict time constraints or involve high-profile cases. The ability to travel is also required for this position.

Job Description And Duties

Under the general direction of an Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent works with broad discretion and independence to perform the more complex and sensitive legal work of the Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO). The incumbent will represent the LCO and act as lead counsel for the Retaliation Complaint Investigation unit, advising the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies, on California employment law. The incumbent is assigned to perform a variety of tasks such as litigation, negotiations, and legislative liaison work, hearings, legal research, and legal opinion writing on cases that may be appealed to the highest courts. May serve as a lead to lower level attorney staff. The incumbent possesses a strong motivation to work on and contribute to labor, employment rights-related matters. This position manages a substantial workload, which may be subject to strict time constraints or involve high-profile cases. The ability to travel is also required for this position.

Additional information about LCO can be found here https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at www.calcareers.ca.gov .

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR

• 249.3

To be considered for this Attorney III job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1580

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

• Sacramento County: 2031 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95825.
• San Francisco County: 455 Golden Gate Ave., 9th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102.
• Santa Clara County: 224 Airport Parkway, San Jose, CA 95110.
• San Diego County: 7575 Metropolitan Dr., San Diego, CA 92108.
• Alameda County: 1515 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612.

This single (one) position may be filled in any of the following positions. Applicants must apply to the individual job postings for each location they wish to be considered.

Working Conditions

The incumbent will have responsibilities across program offices and may be redirected to oversee other offices.

This position is located at: 320 W. Fourth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

Extensive travel will be required. The incumbent will work in an office setting. Travel as required to assigned district offices. Travel may be via land or air and may require overnight stay. This position may require working irregular hours. The incumbent will have a hybrid work environment including in-person and remote work consistent with operational needs and may work in a high-rise office building.

The incumbent will be required to sit for long periods of time while in the office and/or while driving to and from field activities. Travel may be via land or air and may require overnight stay.

The incumbent will have access to a state vehicle, laptop computer, printer, cellular phone, and other equipment necessary to stay in touch with the assigned field offices and their staff. The assigned state vehicle will be parked at a departmental-designated location. The incumbent will also traverse various ground surfaces and/or buildings while managing between 2- 5 lbs of equipment (laptop or tablet, and chargers) while out in the field training field staff.

Special Requirements

Active Membership to the California State Bar.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required as part of the application package. The SOQ is a narrative of how your experience, training, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this position. The SOQ also serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Resumes, cover letters, and other documentation DO NOT take the place of an SOQ. Applicants wh o do not submit an SOQ will be disqualified. Applicants who do not follow the instructions for an SOQ, or who submit an incomplete SOQ, will be disqualified.

SOQs must have the applicant's name in the document and be no more than five (5) pages in length with one inch-margins on each page in Arial 12-size font. You must answer the following statement in your response:

• Describe your personal mission and how it relates to the LCO’s mission and vision.
• Summarize your interest in this attorney position and explain how your prior experience qualifies you for the role. Include relevant experience with: (1) public records laws, including your role in reviewing, analyzing, and responding to records requests; and (2) reviewing, drafting, or negotiating contracts.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

Final Filing Date: 11/9/2026

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.