Are you interested in joining a dynamic team of attorneys utilizing the authority of the state to advance civil rights, social justice, and racial equity, with a focus on litigation in federal court to defend California values? The Civil Rights Enforcement Section (CRES) is seeking motivated attorneys with experience in the areas of federal litigation, regulation, and operations to join our team working in these critical areas.
CRES handles a broad range of significant civil rights and constitutional matters on behalf of the Attorney General and the State of California. The advertised positions will support CRES’ general civil rights work and CRES’ increasing workload addressing racial justice, social justice, equity, and implicit and explicit bias in policing and governmental services such as education, child welfare, and voting rights. General topics of work also include the areas of restorative justice, children’s justice, hate crimes, disability rights, and the protection of targeted populations; and federalism issues, including drafting comment letters and amicus briefs, and handling litigation in matters relating to executive orders, federal regulations, and constitutional issues.
The Section also represents and advises several state agencies, including the California Civil Rights Department, for which CRES serves as appellate counsel. Well-qualified candidates will have demonstrated a commitment to social justice, countering bias, and advancing the rights of Californians through investigation, litigation, or other forms of advocacy, as explained in their statement of qualifications.
Assignments in the Civil Rights Enforcement Section may include: proactively planning, organizing, managing, and conducting civil litigation in state and federal courts, as well as large-scale investigations, often on cutting edge, novel issues of law and fact; researching complex legal issues and authoring amicus curiae briefs on emerging constitutional rights, civil liberties, and federalism issues; engaging with civil rights organizations, other advocates, and members of the public; providing advice on sensitive and high-profile matters to the Attorney General, other high level state officials and agencies, and other sections and divisions of the California Department of Justice (Cal DOJ); reviewing and analyzing proposed state legislation; preparing informational materials for the public; and developing model policies, training, and best practices for state and local agencies. Well-qualified candidates will have demonstrated an ability to work in a focused and dedicated team while maintaining a proactive focus on individual contribution to the overall mission. The most competitive candidates will likely have significant experience with systemic impact investigations and/or developing and litigating complex matters in federal and state courts.
Responsibilities
Working Conditions
This is a hybrid position under the current DOJ telework policy, which is subject to modification. Deputies must reside in California. 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.
Will Consider
- Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
- Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification:
- Membership in CA State Bar
Desirable Qualifications:
CRES is seeking candidates with all ranges of experience as an attorney in terms of years of practice, professional experience (especially investigations and litigation), and also legislative advocacy, enforcement, and dispute resolution. Because CRES handles matters across a wide variety of subject matter areas, the most competitive candidates will possess a background in any of a variety of general civil rights issues, especially those described above.
Application Process
Application Process
Please submit your application to the preferred location link below by 4/1/2026 by 11:59 PM.
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=509897
A complete application must include:
- State Application (completed online)
- Resume
- Statement of Qualifications – A personal statement, no longer than two pages in length, explaining your interest in the position and why you are qualified for the position.
- Writing Sample – consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion or appellate brief preferably written in the last three years.
