Health, Education & Welfare Attorney (DAG IV)

Please note that the State of California requires you to complete the Civil Service application process and applying here does not complete this process. If you would like to complete the application process, please click Apply button. Your information will be sent to one of our specialized recruiters and they will contact you to discuss next steps.
Health, Education & Welfare Attorney (DAG IV)
The California Department of Justice is hiring an experienced Health, Education & Welfare Attorney (DAG IV).
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The Health, Education, and Welfare section (HEW) is looking for talented and motivated litigators to handle some of this Office's most cutting edge, high-impact, and high-profile cases. HEW attorneys represent numerous state agencies, including the Departments of Health Care Services, Public Health, State Hospitals, Social Services, and Education, along with the Attorney General and the Governor, in constitutional and other challenges to critical state laws and policies concerning public health, benefits, social services, and education. Because our cases involve many issues residing at the center of today's policy debates, they frequently garner public and media attention.
In addition to working to protect access to public benefits such as Medi-Cal, unemployment insurance, and in-home supportive services, HEW defends against novel constitutional and statutory challenges, such as to state vaccine policy, the privacy rights of students in our public schools, the protections afforded by the End of Life Option Act, and programs to assist minority or disadvantaged individuals and to protect principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. HEW's cases include civil complaints and broad-based writ-of-mandate actions for declaratory and injunctive relief challenging state laws, regulations, and orders; appeals of agency administrative decisions; evidentiary trials to protect vulnerable segments of our population living in skilled nursing facilities; and extensive appellate litigation.
HEW places a premium on having a team with diverse viewpoints and life experiences because it enhances our ability to provide our best legal representation to our numerous client agencies charged with administering policies and programs that are vitally important to all Californians. If you want a litigation job that is interesting, challenging, and impactful, with the opportunity to learn from and work with some of the Office's most skilled attorneys, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Duties Include:

• Representing state agencies and high-level officials in all phases of civil litigation, from inception through trial and appeal
• Managing your own caseload, including development of case strategy by directly interfacing with clients
• Preparing and arguing dispositive motions and responsive pleadings; drafting written discovery; taking and defending depositions; and representing clients at trial or merits hearing
• Researching and drafting increasingly complex briefing on appeal, with the potential for oral argument before courts of appeal
• Providing advice and counsel to our clients, including detailed case analyses and recommendations
• Interacting and working effectively with colleagues, opposing counsel, clients, the courts, and other interested parties

Required Qualifications:
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Superior legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Strong interest in handling a caseload that requires a full range of litigation skills, including drafting pleadings and motions practice and conducting discovery
• Desire for trial experience including, witness examination, evidentiary objections, opening statements and closing arguments, deposition skills, and written discovery
• Ability to work independently and in teams efficiently under time pressure, while applying excellent legal and strategic judgment and producing high-quality work
• Ability to present coherent, well-researched, and concise arguments before the court, both orally and in writing
• Ability to handle a rigorous caseload under tight deadlines
• Openness to collaboration, including receiving feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients on written work product
• Demonstration of a genuine interest in working for the government

A successful candidate will also be well-organized, detail-oriented, team-oriented, and have a positive attitude, excellent work ethic, and strong interpersonal skills. Deputies are public officials who represent the State and the Attorney General. We expect deputies to treat clients, staff, and opposing counsel with the highest levels of respect, civility, and professionalism. They must act in the public interest and comply with financial-disclosure and conflict-of-interest laws and regulations, as well as the rules of professional conduct.
Permanent
Monthly Salary: $12,925.00 - 15,627.00
Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.