Staff Counsel Legal Services

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 11,000 - 13,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Alternative work schedules

Flexible work hours

Remote work options

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement program

Vacation leave (leaders)

Vacation leave (staff)

Health insurance in retirement

Employee Assistance Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

State of California's Office of the General Counsel seeks an Attorney III to provide specialized legal support. This role operates under the General Counsel’s direction and touches board governance, fiduciary duties, and public employee matters.

The position offers a Hire Above Minimum salary with annual increases and is part of CalSTRS governance activities and public service commitments.

Qualifications

• Strong skills related to statutory interpretation and analysis and legislative history.
• Ability to explain complex legal issues to diverse audiences including the Board and public.
• Excellent time management and the ability to handle multiple projects under pressure.
• Clear written communication and effective verbal communication with staff and constituents.
• Professional demeanor and ability to foster teamwork across departments.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal support for the General Counsel on a broad range of issues.
• Perform detailed legal research, analysis, and draft memos and presentations.
• Advise on fiduciary duties, securities, compliance, contracts, and employment issues.

Skills

Statutory interpretation

Legislative history

Written communication

Verbal communication

Time management

Multitasking

Teamwork

Professional demeanor

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

This position qualifies for a 'Hire Above Minimum' (HAM) Salary. The starting salary will be $12,046.

***THIS POSITION REQUIRES AN ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP WITH THE CALIFORNIA STATE BAR. Are you an attorney interested in public service? Are you eager to grow and develop as part of a diverse and experienced team of attorneys? If so, the California State Teachers' Retirement System Office of the General Counsel is currently accepting applications for an Attorney III. Join a team that takes pride in developing expert attorneys who are committed to securing the financial future and sustaining the trust of California’s educators.

Under the direction of the Teachers' Retirement Board and the administrative direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Office of the General Counsel provides advice on legal issues as they affect the overall programs and policies of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), manages CalSTRS legal program, and represents the System in litigation, appeals, and other legal matters. The Office of the General Counsel is comprised of multiple highly visible and complex business areas: Office of Legal Ethics & Accountability (OLEA), Enterprise Information Management & Legal Operations, Information Security Office, Legal Services, Investment Counsel, and Litigation Services.

Under the general direction of the General Counsel, the Attorney III acts as the Special Counsel and provides direct legal support for the General Counsel across a broad range of legal issues and tasks and operates at the full journey level. The incumbent performs detailed legal research, analysis, drafts legal documents, memos, written analyses, articles, and presentations. The Special Counsel provides legal advice and analysis on the more complex legal matters arising in connection with CalSTRS’ activities, including, board governance, fiduciary duties, securities litigation, benefits, financial and investment issues, compliance with laws relating to public agencies, legislation and regulations, conflict of interest, public record access, confidentiality, contracting, work authorization and business immigration, and personnel issues including investigations, reasonable accommodations, and other labor and employment legal issues.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Strong skills related to statutory interpretation and analysis and legislative history
• Ability to explain complex legal issues to CalSTRS employees, the Teachers’ Retirement Board, CalSTRS members, and the public
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to set priorities when faced with conflicting demands, being able to effectively manage multiple projects, and meeting deadlines within challenging and strict time constraints while working under pressure
• Ability to apply excellent time management skills that result in an efficient use of time to complete projects, prioritizing competing assignments, and meeting all deadlines for those assignments
• Excellent communication and active listening skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with other CalSTRS employees, our members and their beneficiaries
• Exhibits a professional demeanor at all times, and the ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations
• Ability to foster teamwork, cooperation, and mutual respect across CalSTRS business areas, while taking pride in contributing to shared goals
• Ability to analyze complex statutory programs, statutory requirements outside of the Teachers’ Retirement Law, reviewing documents, and providing clear and concise written communication

Every 12 months, based on performance evaluation, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025. This program reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 4.62% in exchange for 8 hours of leave credits for the duration of the program. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the reduced amounts.

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

CalSTRS offers a competitive pay schedule and a work-life-balance for all itsemployees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Some benefits include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Flexible work hours
• Remote work options
• Medical benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance
• Paid holidays and a defined benefit retirement program
• More than four weeks of vacation/sick leave for leaders
• More than three weeks of vacation/sick leave for staff
• Health insurance in retirement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

For the latest information on the benefits offered by the state of California, explore the Health Benefits Summary provided by CalHR.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY III