Assistant Chief Counsel

About the Role

The Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel position is in the Office of the Director, Legal Unit (known as “OD Legal”). OD Legal serves as the general counsel’s office for the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and provides advice and representation to the DIR Director, department leadership, and division chiefs in the performance of their statutory functions.

The Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel manages the work of Attorney Supervisors, attorneys (ranging from Attorney to Attorney V classifications), investigators, analysts, and legal secretaries. Under the direction of the Chief Counsel and in coordination with other Assistant Chief Counsels, this role oversees the office’s representation and legal advice to the Director of DIR, the Department, and division chiefs and managers on a variety of labor and employment matters within the Department’s jurisdiction.

The position ensures unit attorneys provide top-tier representation to the Director of DIR in special workers’ compensation cases involving trust funds administered by the Director (SIBTF, UEBTF, and DWD). The Assistant Chief Counsel also leads one or more of the unit’s practice teams, such as the SPB appeals and internal labor and employment team, the hearing officer team, or the contracts review and advice team.

Additionally, the role ensures unit attorneys deliver prompt and accurate legal advice to Department executives and division chiefs on issues involving public works, prevailing wages, Public Records Act, public contracting, privacy, litigation, and other operational legal matters. In the absence of assigned unit attorneys, the Assistant Chief Counsel may perform these duties directly.

The position plans, directs, and reviews the work of legal staff advising and representing the Department and its executive leadership, directly supervising Attorneys, Attorney IIIs, Attorney IVs, Attorney Vs, and Attorney Supervisors handling the Department’s most complex legal work. In the Chief Counsel’s absence, the Assistant Chief Counsel may assume the role of chief legal counsel to the Department and its executive leadership. The role also collaborates with the Attorney General’s Office and serves as in-house counsel in litigation matters, operating with broad discretion and independence under minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise Attorney Supervisors, attorneys (Attorney to Attorney V), investigators, analysts, and legal secretaries.
• Oversee legal representation and advice to the DIR Director, department leadership, and division chiefs on labor and employment matters.
• Ensure high-quality legal representation in workers’ compensation cases involving trust funds (SIBTF, UEBTF, DWD).
• Lead one or more practice teams (e.g., SPB appeals, hearing officers, contracts review).
• Provide or oversee legal advice on public works, prevailing wages, Public Records Act, public contracting, privacy, litigation, and other operational issues.
• Directly perform legal duties in the absence of assigned unit attorneys.
• Plan, direct, and review the work of legal staff handling complex and difficult Department matters.
• Assume the role of chief legal counsel in the absence of the Chief Counsel.
• Collaborate with the Attorney General’s Office and serve as in-house counsel in litigation matters.

Requirements

• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• At least nine years of legal experience post-admission to the bar, with one of the following:
  • One year at a level equivalent to Attorney V or Attorney Supervisor, or
  • Three years at a level equivalent to Attorney IV, or
  • Four years at a level equivalent to Attorney III.
• Submission of a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) addressing:
  • Experience in state personnel and labor/employment law.
  • Experience in administrative law.
  • Knowledge of or experience with public works, prevailing wages, apprenticeship, self-insurance, wage and hour, worker safety, or workers’ compensation.
  • Experience leading teams or supervising attorneys or other staff.
  • Approaches to motivating colleagues, tracking progress, and achieving outcomes.

  The SOQ must be typed, no more than three pages, using Arial 12-point font and normal margins.

• Submission of a recent legal writing sample of your own work product.

Working Conditions

This position is located at 1515 Clay St, Suite 701, Oakland, CA 94612, within the Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director, Legal Unit (OD Legal). The role operates in an office environment with assigned workspace and requires extensive computer use for drafting correspondence, briefs, research, email communication, file review, and training.

To be considered, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. Exam information is available at CalCareers.