Research Attorney

This position is pending budgetary approval.

Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with variety in your work? The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is seeking a dynamic Research Attorney with experience conducting complex legal research and analyzing, reviewing and evaluating pleadings, motions, evidentiary materials, and legal arguments to identify relevant issues and formulate recommendations. The ideal candidate will also have knowledge of administrative law principles, administrative adjudication processes, and due process requirements.

If this is you, then CDI may be the employer for you!

Under general direction of the Supervising Administrative Law Judge, the Attorney III exercises broad discretion and independently performs sensitive and complex legal work assisting judges in the Administrative Hearing Bureau (AHB). The incumbent reviews and summarizes evidence, procedural history, and legal contentions; researches legal authorities, regulations, and statutory and case law. Prepares written summaries, draft rulings, decisions, memoranda, and other legal documents.

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700), which includes an Assuming Office filing within 30 days of appointment, annual filings, and a Leaving Office filing within 30 days of physical separation. Non-compliance with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may result in the voiding of appointment, financial penalties, or enforcement actions.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 and related Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 requires employees to receive a reduction in pay in exchange for monthly hours of PLP 2025 leave credits. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay. For more information, visit the CalHR website (www.calhr.ca.gov).

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

Salary

• $10,852 - $15,325/month

Qualifications

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

• ATTORNEY III

Desirable 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:

• Demonstrated experience conducting complex legal research and analysis involving statutes, regulations, case law, and administrative authority.
• Strong legal writing skills, including experience drafting decisions, orders, memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents requiring clear analysis and well-supported conclusions.
• Knowledge of administrative law principles, administrative adjudication processes, and due process requirements.
• Experience reviewing and evaluating pleadings, motions, evidentiary materials, and legal arguments to identify relevant issues and formulate recommendations.
• Ability to analyze complex factual and legal issues, exercise sound judgment, and provide objective recommendations in sensitive or high-profile matters.
• Experience providing legal advice, consultation, or decision-support services to judges, hearing officers, executives, or other decision-makers.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize competing deadlines, and produce high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to present legal analyses and recommendations effectively both orally and in writing.
• Experience serving in a neutral capacity, such as mediator, referee, arbitrator, hearing officer, or similar role, is desirable.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

The CDI is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. With annual direct premiums of $340 billion, California is the largest insurance market in the United States and the fourth largest insurance market in the world.

Nearly 1,400 dedicated employees work at CDI to oversee more than 1,400 insurance companies and license more than 425,000 agents, brokers, adjusters, and business entities.

ADMINISTRATION AND LICENSING SERVICES BRANCH
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING BUREAU

Department Website: http://www.insurance.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Please attach (upload) all the required documents to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications for this position (i.e., degree, transcript, license, certificate). If you fail to provide the required documentation, your application package will be marked as incomplete and not considered for an interview.

• Exam list eligibility - refer to exam link below.
• Transfer eligibility, if applicable, for current/former civil service employees
• Statement of Qualifications
• Resume
• Proof of Membership in The State Bar of California

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: 8/12/2026

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:

Department of Insurance
CDI Jobs Inquiries
Attn: Classification and Consultation Unit
Human Resources Management Division
300 Capitol Mall, 13th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Insurance
CDI Jobs Inquiries
Classification & Consultation Unit
Human Resources Management Division
300 Capitol Mall, 13th Floor
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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - Instructions may be found in the Statement of Qualifications Section of this job posting.

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

• The incumbent must be able to work in a high-rise building.
• Daily use of computer keyboard, mouse, camera for virtual meetings, standard office equipment, telephone, and related software applications at a workstation.
  
• The incumbent may telework in accordance with CDI's Telework Policy. Teleworking employees may be required to report to their headquarters office location on designated telework days. Travel expenses are not reimbursed, however other authorized transit subsidies do exist for those who qualify.
• Occasional travel may be required within and/or outside the state of California. Travel may occur via private or public transportation (i.e., automobile, airplane, etc.) Travel may include overnight stay.
• Overtime may be required.
  

Contact Information

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

Department Website:http://www.insurance.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:
Classification & Consultation Unit
(916) 492-3300
CDIJobinquiries@insurance.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:
EEO Officer
(916) 492-3024
OCR@insurance.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.

Statement of Qualifications

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. The SOQ shall be typed in 12-point Arial font, no more than three (3) pages in length, and address the following question(s):

1. Legal Analysis, Drafting, and Written Work Products
Describe your experience reviewing and analyzing complex pleadings, motions, evidentiary submissions, and administrative records in administrative or civil proceedings. Include your experience preparing draft orders, rulings, decisions, memoranda, or legal advice. Explain the analytical steps you take to evaluate conflicting legal arguments and apply statutory, regulatory, and case law to draft legally sufficient work products under tight deadlines?

2. Advanced Legal Research and Decision Support
Provide an example of a matter in which you conducted advanced legal research on a novel, sensitive or highly complex issue involving statutes, regulations, or administrative authority. Describe how did you synthesized your findings and delivered strategic oral or written briefing guidance to a judge, attorney, executive decision-maker, or other colleague(s)? Explain how your research supported the decision-making process.

3. Hearings, Neutral Services, and ADR
This position may require you to act as a neutral for mediations, settlement conferences, or discovery referee assignments. Describe your training or experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or other neutral roles. Provide an example of how you used neutral communication strategies to facilitate resolution of a contentious or high-stakes dispute and explain how you maintained impartiality throughout the process.

4. Policy Development, Rulemaking, and Organizational Best Practices
Describe your experience with the California rulemaking process or with developing policies, procedures, or best practices within a government agency. If you do not have government rulemaking experience, describe comparable experience developing policies or procedural frameworks in a business, nonprofit, or other organizational context. Provide an example of how you analyzed complex legal or operational issues to draft proposed regulations, regulatory amendments, or internal policy guidance that promoted consistent best practices, legal sufficiency, or procedural integrity.

5. Judicial Ethics and Professional Responsibility
This position supports Administrative Law Judges and requires strict adherence to judicial-conduct standards. As an attorney, you also remain subject to the Rules of Professional Responsibility, the State Bar Act, and other applicable ethical authorities. Suppose you received an email from a party to a pending matter suggesting a telephone call to discuss issues raised in a motion and how they might improve their argument. Explain how you would handle the situation, including the ethical principles involved and the steps you would take to protect the integrity of the proceeding.

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

• Flexible work hours
• Remote work options
• Medical Benefits - including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• On the Job Training
• Career Services Program
• Recognition Program
• Paid Holidays and leave
• Defined benefit retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401 (k), 457)
• Every 12 months, based on performance evaluation, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

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