Attorney

The Secretary of State’s office is seeking to fill multiple permanent, full-time Attorney vacancies. Telework is available based upon the agency’s telework policy and business needs.

The Legal Affairs unit within the Secretary of State’s office provides legal advice relating to all functions of the agency. This may include responding to legal issues involving elections, businesses, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures. The duties are varied and interesting.

Under the direction of the Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent will play a vital role for the Secretary of State by performing a broad range of legal work, as follows:

• Legal Review, Legal Program Advisor and Oversight: Performs the legal work on behalf of the Agency, including legal review of various documents and contracts, legal research and opinion drafting for the agency; responds to legal correspondence and develops and updates agency procedures and policies to ensure legal compliance. Provides legal support and advice to agency management and staff on matters related to the agency’s functions, roles and responsibilities. Assists with procurement and issues relating to contracting, including negotiating and drafting procurement documents, reviewing and drafting contracts, representing the agency in protests, risk management, security, and intellectual property.
• Administrative Proceedings and Civil Litigation: Research applicable laws, rules and regulations in order to aide in development of strategy and tactics in legal disputes, which may include assisting the Attorney General’s office in litigation involving the agency. Provides legal advice to all levels of staff regarding division and/or agency legal issues with general or statewide impact. May represent the agency in complex administrative proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings, California Department of Human Resources and the State Personnel Board.
• Legislation and Regulations: Develops, interprets and/or provides legal review of various documents or information such as statewide regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and other legal documents. Drafts and reviews proposed legislative changes, makes recommendations regarding division-wide and statewide impacts, acts as liaison to external stakeholders, and prepares written or verbal comments for submission to the Legislature setting forth the position of the Secretary of State regarding proposed legislation.
• Document Production: Reviews of Public Records Act (PRA) requests, other public and legislative inquiries, and the Agency’s responses. Coordinates divisional responses to subpoenas, as needed, which may involve directing staff to research and copy responsive documents, reviewing responsive records for compliance, writing affidavits, and communicating with the courts or subpoenaing attorneys.
• Management Representation and Assistance: On behalf of the Secretary of State, acts as liaison with and point of contact for other licensing and taxing State and Local Government Agencies related to business entities.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with general corporate and business-related statutes or with state or federal securities laws.
• Knowledge of California's legislative and administrative rule process.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications.
• Ability to meet deadlines, take initiative, and work independently and/or in a team environment.
• Consistent attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, Agency personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Experience drafting legal memoranda and responding to discovery.

Statement of Qualifications

Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications detailing how they meet the “Desirable Qualifications” listed above. The Statement of Qualifications must be no more than two (2) pages typed, using business professional font, font size, and formatting. Applications that do not follow the directions as identified above, provide incomplete responses, or do not submit a Statement of Qualifications will not be considered.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Salary

• $7,969 - $12,026/month

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

The Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) consists of nearly 750 dedicated public servants who uphold the rights of Californians while also striving to make our government, elections, and businesses both accessible and transparent. Led by an elected leader, accountable to the public, we are dedicated to fostering career development opportunities and growing a skilled workforce that embraces inclusion and values diversity.

Located in downtown Sacramento, the SOS building is within walking distance to a variety of eateries and amenities. Light Rail, State Capitol, Downtown Commons (DOCO), and Golden 1 Center, just to name a few. Conveniently located in the SOS building, the Gold Rush Grille offers delicious daily specials for breakfast or lunch and is open to the public. Our on-site childcare incorporates programs for children six weeks to five years old. Priority waitlist access and special discounted rates are available for SOS employees.

For more information about the SOS, please visit sos.ca.gov.

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 salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction.

Special Requirements

Special Requirements: Membership in the State Bar of California is a requirement.

Examination Information

Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following link: Calcareers.ca.gov

There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the Department of Rehabilitation LEAP Certification website.

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: 10/9/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates 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

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Secretary of State
Attn: Patricia Mercurio
1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Secretary of State
Patricia Mercurio
1500 11th St - 4th Floor - Suite 475
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please submit your response to the Statement of Qualifications as indicated above.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Working Conditions

Positions provide telework opportunities based upon the agency’s telework policy and business needs.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
Patricia Mercurio
(916) 653-6974
pmercurio@sos.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:
Sarah Bielski
(916) 653-6974
sbielski@sos.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.

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.

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. Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.