Deputy Solicitor General

About the Organization

Attorney General Rob Bonta is the State’s chief law officer, responsible for ensuring that state laws are uniformly and adequately enforced. The Department of Justice includes approximately 4,500 employees who provide legal and law enforcement services to the State, including representing the People of California in civil and criminal matters before trial courts, appellate courts and the supreme courts of California and the United States, and engaging in law enforcement activities.

The Solicitor General is appointed by the Attorney General and serves as the chief appellate lawyer for the Department of Justice. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has authority and responsibility for ensuring the excellence of the Attorney General’s appellate practice. OSG participates in discretionary appellate litigation decisions, such as whether to seek review by the U.S. or California Supreme Court; prepares or oversees the preparation of petitions, briefs, and other papers filed in appellate courts; and takes a lead role in the briefing and argument of some appeals in both state and federal courts, including in many of the Department’s most complex or sensitive appellate matters. Other functions include fostering consultation and consistency on important legal issues and promoting excellence in appellate practice Department-wide.

About the Position

Under the general direction of the Solicitor General, the Principal Deputy Solicitor General, and a Supervising Deputy Solicitor General, the Deputy Solicitor General will analyze, research, and provide advice on complex or novel legal issues; assist with the review and/or preparation of recommendations concerning Department action in appellate matters, including amicus participation; draft, review, comment on, or edit petitions, briefs, and other papers filed by the Department in appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the California Courts of Appeal; present or assist with the preparation for oral arguments, including providing moot court assistance for attorneys throughout the Department; assist with identifying and coordinating positions on significant or recurrent legal issues facing the Attorney General’s Office or its clients; maintain awareness of current legal issues and other topics relating to appellate litigation; and assist with developing and implementing best practices for appellate litigation and with providing development and enrichment programs for attorneys throughout the Department.

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

Salary

• $11,644 - $15,627/month

Qualifications

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

• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 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:

Desirable qualifications include clerkships with the U.S. or California Supreme Courts or other federal or state appellate courts; experience briefing or arguing cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and/or the California Courts of Appeal; knowledge of the organization and work of the Department of Justice; experience with areas of law relevant to the work of the Solicitor General’s Office, such as constitutional law, administrative law, and criminal and/or habeas issues; and familiarity with practice and procedures in appellate and trial courts in California and the United States.

Applicants should have outstanding written and oral communication skills, including in both expository and advocacy writing and presentations; a demonstrated ability to research and analyze complex legal issues; the ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different legal arguments; the ability to seek common ground or mutually acceptable positions on difficult issues; and the ability to provide compelling advocacy on behalf of the Department and its clients. Successful applicants will be required to exercise good judgment, discretion, and tact in all aspects of their work, including interacting with other Department employees or client representatives at all levels. They should have strong individual initiative, be able to work well under pressure, be flexible and resourceful problem-solvers, and be ready to take part in the development or evolution of Office and Department procedures and best practices.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

• This position is located in the Directorate Division, Office of the Solicitor General and may be filled in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Please indicate your preferred location on your application.
  
  

• The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a "Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary. The starting salary for each classification will be:

  • Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,588 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,666
  • Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $11,695
  • Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $12,925

  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.

• 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 webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.

• If you have questions in regards to the duties of the position, please email Sam Harbourt - Samuel.Harbourt@doj.ca.gov

Special Requirements

• A fingerprint check will be required.

• Clearly indicate your preferred location in the "Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying" section located on the first page of your state application.

• Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the AttorneyGeneral. 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:

Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: Attorney ExaminationDAG 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

• Some travel is required.

• OSG offers regular telework options, subject to operational needs.

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: 6/20/2025

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
OHR-Danielle Newman
Attn: Danielle Newman (JC-480103)
1300 I Street, 7th 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 Justice
OHR-Danielle Newman
Danielle Newman (JC-480103)
1300 I Street, 7th 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 -

  The Statement is a narrative discussion of how your education, training, experience, and skills meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualify you for the position. The Statement of Qualifications serves as a documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing and should be typed and no more than two pages in length.

• Other - Writing sample, preferably no more than 20 pages, reflecting your legal work.
• Other - The name of and contact information for two references familiar with your legal work.

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 position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on DOJ's current telework policy. While DOJ supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises.

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.

If mailing your application, please reach out to the HR contact listed to ensure your application has been received.

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.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found at:
CalHR website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspxand CalPERS website at https://www.calpers.ca.gov/.