Employment Law Section Deputy Attorney General IV

About the role

As part of the Employment Law Section practice group of the California Department of Justice, you will handle challenges involving the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, and the Whistleblower Protection Act, among others.

Responsibilities

• 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

Requirements

• All applicants must reside in California
• Active members in good standing of the California State Bar

Pay

• Deputy Attorney General III: $10,852.00 – $15,325.00
• Deputy Attorney General IV: $11,993.00 – $16,096.00
• Deputy Attorney General V: $12,659.00 – $16,883.00
• New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable
• These positions qualify for a "Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary. Starting HAM rates: DAG III (5 years): $12,046; DAG IV (6+ years): $13,313; DAG V (lateral transfers only): $14,051

Benefits

• Work-life balance
• 11 paid holidays
• Flexible paid leave options
• Consistent wage increases
• Pension retirement
• Job stability
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings.