What are the responsibilities and job description for the DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III position at Department of Justice?
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?
ELS deputy duties include:
- Independently handling all aspects of complex civil employment cases, including drafting and arguing motions, interviewing witnesses, conducting and defending depositions and other discovery, preparing and arguing summary judgment motions, expert discovery, and preparing for trial
- Handling jury and bench trials
- Handling contested administrative evidentiary hearings before the State Personnel Board
- Defending agency administrative actions against petitions for writs 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.
Working Conditions
ELS deputies may largely choose to telework or come into the office, at their option. We are a litigation section so there are some times when in-office attendance will be required for meetings, court appearances, or other operational reasons. Otherwise, deputies may freely telework if that is their preference. Deputies are expected to be able to report to the office if an urgent need arises, and are expected to be available for meetings and to respond to emails and phone calls during regular business hours.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III
- DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
- DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Shall Consider:
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V
Department Information
- These positions are located in the Division of Civil Law, Employment Law Section, and may be filled in Sacramento (JC-473872), Oakland (JC-473873), Los Angeles (JC-473874), or San Diego.
- The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a "Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary. The starting salary for each classification will be:
- Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $11,695
- Deputy Attorney General IV (6 years): $12,925
- Deputy Attorney General V (lateral only): $13,642
New to State candidates will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classification.
DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.
- For more information about the Department please visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ca.gov.
- If you would like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov
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Please visit our new Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
Special Requirements
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Deputies must be active members of the California State Bar.
- Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-473875) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your STD 678 State Application.
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Individuals who are new to State service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the Office of the Attorney General. Process is described at:
https://oag.ca.gov/careers/how-to-apply
- Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:
DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination
DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/12/2025Who May Apply
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).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other - Cover Letter.
- Other - Writing sample reflecting analytical abilities and effective writing style, such as an appellate brief, a memorandum in support of a motion for summary judgment, a trial brief, a mediation brief, or a motion to dismiss or closing argument before an administrative body.
Desirable Qualifications
- Civil litigation experience in California state or federal courts
- Excellent legal research skills
- Experience drafting and arguing pre-trial motions, including demurrers, motions to dismiss, and motions for summary judgment
- Effective written advocacy skills in preparing briefs, presenting testimony, and advocating at hearings before administrative bodies, trial courts, and appellate courts
- Ability to interview witnesses and examine percipient and expert witnesses at depositions, hearings, and trials
- 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
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Experience presenting testimony, and advocating at hearings before administrative bodies, trial courts, and appellate courts
- Employment litigation experience is a plus, but not required
Benefits
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Human Resources Contact:
Heather Nguyen
(916) 210-6444
Heather.Nguyen@doj.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Requirements For This Section:
- ELS deputies are expected to manage their own work-related calendars with multiple deadlines and appearances in varied venues in a timely manner meeting all applicable deadlines.
- Candidates should be able to work a full-time schedule, which may include long hours and weekends when necessary, to effectively represent our clients.
- ELS deputies will be required to travel to conduct witness interviews and may be required to travel and attend lengthy trials and hearings in other counties requiring overnight stays.
- Must be willing to go on prison grounds to interview witnesses or take depositions
Additional Information on Application Filing
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.
