Tort & Condemnation Section - Graduate Legal Assistant
About the role
The Tort & Condemnation Section serves as legal counsel to state officers and agencies in complex, often high-profile civil litigation in both state and federal court. Our section offers opportunities to work on civil rights, mass torts, personal injury, premises liability, flood and fire, and wrongful death claims and appeals. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, Graduate Legal Assistants will have the opportunity to work on substantive legal matters of public interest and importance.
Responsibilities
- Handling a variety of matters that are often high-profile and involve issues of first impression;
- Conducting legal research and assisting in preparing a variety of legal documents, including briefs, memoranda and legislative analyses, often under tight deadlines, for client agencies or the Attorney General and other constitutional officers;
- Investigating facts and analyzing documentary evidence;
- Working collaboratively with team members;
- Traveling as necessary for depositions, hearings, trials, witness interviews, client meetings, and site inspections as needed statewide;
- Representing the Attorney General’s Office with the highest ethical and professional standards.
Requirements
This is a full-time position, in a collegial office environment, with opportunities for telework pursuant to the section’s telework policy.
Qualifications
- A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved law school;
- Admission to practice law in California;
- Experience in civil litigation preferred;
- Strong research and writing skills;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Passion for public service and civil rights issues.
Skills
- Legal research and writing;
- Document preparation;
- Collaboration and teamwork;
- Client interaction;
- Research and analysis of complex legal issues;
- Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Benefits
Position Details
Job Code #: JC-526622
Position #(s): 420-180-5797-XXX
Working Title: Tort & Condemnation Section - Graduate Legal Assistant
Classification: GRADUATE LEGAL ASSISTANT
$5,227.00 - $6,550.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions: 2
Work Location: United States
Telework Hybrid
Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - Full Time
Work Week: Monday-Friday
Department Information
- These positions are located in the Division of Civil Law, Tort & Condemnation Section and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland , Los Angeles or San Diego.
- Please clearly indicate which city you would prefer to work in your cover letter.
- Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus letter, if that is the basis of their eligibility.
- 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.
- Please visit our webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.
Personal Leave Program
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.
Benefits of working for the State of California
- 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) and more!