Attorney V

Office of General Counsel

Annual Salary Range: $165,412 - $247,927

FLSA: Exempt / Non-Union Represented 

This position allows for up to four days of remote work per week.

About the Office 

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is in-house counsel to the State Bar, providing a full range of services, including representation of the State Bar in all state and federal courts and before administrative agencies; advocacy of State Bar discipline and admission cases in the California Supreme Court; and providing legal advice to the State Bar Board of Trustees, and all State Bar entities, executives, and programmatic clients.  

OGC provides legal advice and representation in the following areas: litigation, admissions and discipline, antitrust, Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, bankruptcy, California Public Records Act, collections, contracts, copyright, governance, labor and employment, legislation, regulations and rules, real estate, regulatory work, and general corporate matters. Attorneys in OGC are also expected to work on requests for “second-look” of disciplinary complaints that have been closed by Office of Chief Trial Counsel.

The Ideal Candidate

OGC seeks an exceptional attorney with significant litigation experience in state and federal court, including appeals. Prior public agency experience, including advising on laws such as the California Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and the Government Claims Act, is preferred. The right candidate will also have prior experience overseeing and managing the legal review of contracts and insurance matters. This position will lead a team of attorneys and will report to the deputy general counsel. 

The ideal candidate should be a strategic thinker, adept at anticipating legal challenges and proactively developing solutions. They should have a strong work ethic and thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, capable of juggling multiple high-priority projects without compromising on quality or attention to detail.

Being a natural collaborator is imperative to this position. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively with colleagues within the OGC and throughout the State Bar.

The position also requires strong leadership and supervisory skills. The successful applicant will have the ability to effectively lead and mentor a team of attorneys, fostering their professional growth while ensuring high-quality work product. They should be able to delegate tasks appropriately, provide clear guidance and feedback, and inspire their team to meet challenging goals and deadlines.

The ideal candidate will also embody the State Bar's core values, particularly growth mindset, clarity, respect, and excellence. Additionally, they should align with the State Bar's mission, strategic plan, and goals of the office.

Definition

Under general direction, the Attorney V performs the most complex legal work and litigation that includes the identification of legal issues; recommendations of appropriate action; resolution of legal problems; interpretation and application of laws, rules, regulations, and other legal authorities; legal research and analysis; and preparation of legal documents, opinions, and other memoranda. The Attorney V takes lead responsibility in case/project management presentations and in the formulation, determination, and effectuation of management policies of the State Bar. Incumbents in this class have an exceptional level of subject matter expertise in a broad or specialized area of law and have demonstrated their ability to independently perform assignments consisting of the most complex and sensitive legal work of the State Bar and to consistently produce favorable results in these proceedings. The Attorney V is responsible for proposing and implementing strategic changes or improvements to the practice areas to enhance and improve the manner in which such matters are handled. Attorney Vs may supervise or lead other attorneys, including in particular subject matter areas. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Attorney IV differs from the Attorney V in that the latter independently handles the most complex legal matters; develops and delivers training, projects, and protocols for the improvement of their assigned office; and may supervise other attorneys and administrative and professional staff. 

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

When Assigned to the Office of General Counsel:

• Supervises the work of other attorneys and staff, including coaching and training, assigning and reviewing work, providing performance feedback, and drafting, issuing, or contributing to performance evaluations and performance improvement plans.
• Assumes a leadership role in the effectuation and/or formulation of management policy and represents and counsels management with respect to human resources issues.
• Supervises one or more practice areas and serves as the department’s expert in those areas.
• Participates in the recruitment of staff, including reference checking, work product review, and recommendations for hiring.
• Develops and provides training to other attorneys and staff in the areas the Attorney V supervises.
• Strategizes as to how the practice area(s) the Attorney V supervises may be improved or enhanced both in the manner in which cases in those areas are handled and with proposals for programmatic or institutional changes.
• Guides attorneys and other staff, as needed, in researching, interpreting, and applying legal principles of the most complex nature within the assigned work area.
• Coordinates with other attorneys, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, as assigned.
• Handles complex matters, including complex litigation, with minimal supervision.
• Conducts “second look” reviews of complaints filed against attorneys that have been closed by the Office of Chief Trial Counsel without taking any action, and determining whether to recommend further actions with respect to such complaints.
• Ensures the adequate, effective, and timely preparation, presentation, and completion of investigations, cases, and/or legal projects within the practice area(s) the Attorney V supervises.
• Stays informed and ensures that subordinate staff is informed concerning the applicable law, rules, procedures, policies, and practices relating to their functions.
• Evaluates administrative problems and procedures and recommends solutions and or alternative methods or procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Substantive law, rules, decisions, practices and procedures of the State Bar, California Supreme Court, State Bar Court, and California Legislature.
• Advanced investigation techniques, case management and presentation of matters to administrative bodies.
• Scope and character of federal and California statutory law and provisions of the federal and California constitutions.
• Rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial and appellate courts in California.
• Rules and procedures related to public meetings. 
• Advanced principles of effective work coordination and strong case and practice area management.
• Advanced management techniques and skills, including the supervision and evaluation of attorneys and support staff.
• Advanced principles of effective time management.
• Advanced principles of oral advocacy.
• Advanced legal research and preparation of reports, briefs opinions, and pleadings.
• Advanced principles of conflict resolution.
• Rules and regulations governing the practice of law in the State of California.

Ability to:

• Provide feedback, training and strategic guidance to attorneys including substantive edits and comments to work product.
• Think strategically about the areas of practice that the Attorney V supervises in order to enhance and improve the handing of those matters.
• Receive and relay detailed information through verbal and written communications.
• Conduct legal research using computer technology and traditional library resources.
• Work under the pressure of short deadlines.
• Effectively address conflict.
• Review, develop and analyze complex written documents.
• Obtain and present material in oral and/or written form.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.

Experience:

• Minimum of six (6) years progressively responsible experience in litigation and/or legal advice, demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary for this position.
• Demonstrated verifiable reputation for integrity and no history of disciplinary offenses as an attorney or in any other capacity.

For positions within OGC: 

• At least two (2) years of demonstrated experience as a team or project lead or supervisor.

License, Certificate, and Registration Requirements:

• Must be an active member, in good standing, of the State Bar of California.

Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar’s selection process for this classification. 

About the State Bar

The State Bar of California’s mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation, and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.

Our Values

Clarity | Investing in Our People | Excellence | Respect | Growth Mindset

Learn more about our values.

DEI Statement

We are a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all of our employees and prospective employees experience fairness, dignity, and respect.

Learn more about our commitment to DEI.