Become an Attorney IV

  • Entry Level
  • Supervisory
  • Full Time
  • Seasonal
  • Benefits Eligible

This series specification describes four attorney classifications used to perform a broad range of staff legal work. Incumbents in these classes serve the public by performing the following tasks which include, but are not limited to: study, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, court decisions, and other legal authorities; perform a wide variety of legal research; provide advice or opinions to departmental management or members of the public on legal issues arising out of the programs of the department in which the incumbent is employed and of the legal effect of rules, regulations, proposed legislation, statutory law, court decisions, and administrative actions; respond to legal correspondence; conduct special investigations involved in the enforcement of state laws and departmental rules and regulations; develop proposed legislation; testify before legislative committees; prepare or assist in preparing cases, opinions, briefs, and other legal documents such as memoranda, digests, summaries, and reports; assist in the preparation of or have responsibility for preparing cases which may result in litigation before boards, commissions, hearing officers, administrative law judges, or trial or appellate courts; develop strategies and tactics in disputes or litigation; assemble and evaluate evidence; secure and interview witnesses; conduct negotiations; represent departments in hearings and litigation; may act in a lead capacity over lower level attorney staff; and perform other related legal work.

Incumbents can move into a supervisor/management career path through the Supervising Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel, or Chief Counsel classifications.

Attorney IV

Under general direction, at the advanced journey level, incumbents independently perform work involving novel theories, emerging areas of law, legal specialization, and precedential significance. Incumbents may be assigned sensitive and difficult litigation and handle cases that may be appealed to the highest courts. Assignments typically consist of negotiations, legislative liaison, hearings, legal research, and opinion/brief drafting; rendering legal advice and opinions to departmental management; responding to challenging legal correspondence; developing strategy and tactics in complex disputes or litigation; and may include acting in a lead capacity over other attorneys and staff.

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$11,644 - $15,627 Base Salary (paid every month)

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.

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

Minimum Qualifications

All classifications require active membership in The California State Bar. (Applicants who are not members of The California State Bar but who are eligible to take the California State Bar examination or are in their final year of law school will be admitted to the examination but will not be considered eligible for appointment until they are admitted to The State Bar.).

Experience
Ten years of legal experience in the practice of law*, four years of which must have been at a level of responsibility equivalent to an Attorney III. (Applicants who have completed nine years and six months of the required total legal experience including three years and six months of the required legal experience comparable to the Attorney III class will be admitted into the examination but must complete the required ten years' total legal experience.).

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge:
Legal research methods and performing research; legal principles and their application; scope and character of California statutory law and of the provisions of the California Constitution; principles of administrative and constitutional law; trial and hearing procedure; and rules of evidence; court procedures; administrative law and the conduct of proceedings before administrative bodies; legal terms and forms in common use; statutory and case law literature and authorities; and provisions of laws and Government Code sections administered or enforced.

Ability to:
Research; analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; prepare and present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; prepare correspondence involving the explanation of legal matters; draft opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation; negotiate effectively and conduct crucial litigation; work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others; and work effectively under pressure.

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications
All employees shall have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.  

Status Exam # Cutoff Date
Open 1581 Until filled View Exam Posting

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