Bankruptcy Attorney

Are you interested in fighting complex financial fraud and protecting California’s critical Medicaid program, Medi-Cal? The Division of Medi-Cal Faud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA), the California Department of Justice’s fastest growing Division, is seeking an experienced attorney with bankruptcy expertise to join its Civil Litigation Section. Deputy Attorneys General (DAGs) in this role play a critical part in recovering millions of taxpayer dollars. This position offers a unique opportunity to investigate and litigate high-impact cases involves fraudulent schemes committed by hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies, nursing facilities, medical equipment providers, and healthcare providers at the expense of the Medi-Cal program.

Most cases are brought under the California False Claims Act (FCA) and may also involve federal FCA violations. This work frequently involves working with attorneys representing whistleblowers who bring FCA cases, and attorneys from the US Department of Justice and state attorneys from other state Attorney General offices, making for a dynamic and wide-ranging practice opportunity.

The DMFEA Bankruptcy Attorney will undertake their own caseload of FCA work alongside other DMFEA DAGs. In addition, the DMFEA Bankruptcy Attorney will work with the DMFEA DAGs in providing expertise and assistance in resolving emergent bankruptcy-related case developments, including creditor side bankruptcy issues in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 proceedings under the United States Bankruptcy Code, and related adversary proceedings. The DMFEA Bankruptcy Attorney will also advise the DMFEA DAGs on bankruptcy considerations in pre-bankruptcy settlements and other related issues.

Duties (in addition to providing bankruptcy practice expertise) include, but are not limited to:

• Independently develop strategic case plans.

• Manage and shepherd FCA investigations.

• Handle informal and formal document-intensive and data-driven discovery.

• Identify, interview, and evaluate witnesses.

• Perform legal research in the areas of health care fraud and FCA-related law.

• Guide Paralegals and Investigative Auditors.

• Analyze claims data and develop damage models.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing; and

• Coordinate enforcement efforts with multidisciplinary teams involving personnel from others

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

Salary

• $11,993 - $16,096/month

Qualifications

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

• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V

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:

Ideally, 3-5 years experience with bankruptcy practice in federal court. Knowledge of the Medi-Cal Program, the health care and pharmaceutical industries, health care fraud, managed care, and FCA litigation is helpful but not required. A successful applicant will have a demonstrated ability to perform assignments consisting of the more complex and sensitive legal work of the Office of the Attorney General. While the DAG will handle their own caseload, they will be a member of a small team of 3-6 attorneys, working with a paralegal and a legal secretary. DAGs generally act as the lead attorney for their cases.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

• This position is located in the Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, Civil Section and may be filled in either San Diego or Sacramento.

• The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a "Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary. The starting salary for each classification will be:
  Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
  Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
  Deputy Attorney General V (lateral only): $14,051
  
  New to State candidates will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classification.

• 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.

• DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.

• For more information about the department, please visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ca.gov.

• If you'd like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov.

• Please visit our new 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. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR

Special Requirements

• A fingerprint check will be required.
• Deputies must be active members of the California State Bar.

• If you submit your application by mail, please contact the HR consultant to confirm it has been received.
• Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-501305) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title for Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your STD 678 State Application.

• Individuals who are new to State service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at: https://oag.ca.gov/careers/how-to-apply

• Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:
  • DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination
  • DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination

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: 1/26/2026

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 Justice
Courtney Contreras
Attn: Courtney Contreras (JC-501305)
1300 I Street 720
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Justice
Courtney Contreras
Courtney Contreras (JC-501305)
1300 I Street 720
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.
• Other - Cover letter is required and must be included.
• Other - Writing sample consisting of a dispostive motion, pretrial motion or appellate brief preferably written in the prior year.

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

This is a hybrid position under current DOJ telework policy, that is (as with all DOJ policies) subject to modification. The position provides the opportunity to work remotely or in-office (your choice) most days, but one day a week in the office is required (or more in a particular week if the needs DMFEA needs require; this happens rarely). The team to which you are assigned picks one regular day for its in-office day, so the one in-office-day is known, set and predictable. Travel and additional in-person attendance is required for any court appearances, meetings or other operational needs.

Contact Information

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

Human Resources Contact:
Courtney Contreras
(916) 210-7235
Courtney.Contreras@doj.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) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.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.

Additional Application Filing Information

Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date.

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.