Organization

California Department of Justice
San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, or San Diego, California

Posted Date

January 30, 2025

Contact Information

Alysia Phillips
LegalRecruiters@doj.ca.gov

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for protecting and serving the People and interests of California. Among other things, we represent the People of California in civil and criminal matters before trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and Supreme Courts of California and the United States, and serve as legal counsel to state officers, and most state agencies. The DOJ’s Healthcare Rights and Access Section (HRA) serves as the lead in affirmative healthcare matters, representing the Attorney General in his independent capacity and coordinating healthcare work within the Department. The Section has comprehensive authority to work on any matters, including investigations, litigation, and legislation, that will increase and protect the accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare for California residents. HRA’s core mission includes consumer protection and fraud, civil rights and equity, reproductive justice, unfair competition, and privacy.

HRA’s Health Equity Unit takes a proactive role in identifying civil rights violations in the healthcare arena. The Attorney General is committed to protecting access to healthcare for all Californians regardless race, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, or LGBTQ status. The unit represents the Attorney General in his independent capacity as California’s chief law officer to protect California residents, including women, LGBTQ individuals, and other marginalized populations. HRA protects California residents by engaging in affirmative litigation and filing amicus curiae briefs in cases in which significant healthcare civil rights issues will be resolved. Highlighting the importance of these functions are developments at the federal level, which can adversely impact California’s healthcare interests. This position will focus on federal accountability work to ensure California’s access to affordable and equitable healthcare, including against any threats from the federal administration.

The Deputy Attorneys General (DAGs) work often in teams that handle this proactive healthcare work in the Attorney General’s Office, including difficult and complex legal work related to investigations, trials, writs, and appeals on healthcare matters, which require the highest level of independent judgment. They may also coordinate and facilitate communications with other state Attorney General’s Offices and other federal and state government agencies working on similar issues. DAGs work under the direction of the Supervising Deputy Attorney General, the Senior Assistant Attorney General, the Chief Assistant Attorney General of the Public Rights Division, the Chief Deputy to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General.

This is a hybrid position under current DOJ telework policy, that is subject to modification. The position provides the opportunity to work remotely or in-office most days, but some in-office attendance could be required. Travel and additional in-person attendance may be required for court appearances, meetings, or other occasional operational needs.

Classifications considered:
Deputy Attorney General III (5+ years of experience)
Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years of experience)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Membership in the California State Bar
  • 5+ years of experience in the practice of law

Desirable Qualifications:

Highly competitive candidates should have significant experience working on matters involving the investigation and/or prosecution of antitrust or consumer protection matters, either for a government agency, for private plaintiffs, or for defendants, with matters involving healthcare being desired. A background in, or understanding of, economics, healthcare, and industrial organization, is a plus. They also should have experience and proven skill as a trial and/or appellate advocate, including demonstrated knowledge of trial and/or appellate procedure and strategy in civil and/or administrative law cases; the ability to identify quickly and to describe succinctly, orally and in writing, the salient legal issues in potentially complex government investigations, litigation, and/or administrative proceedings, especially those involving healthcare, antitrust, mergers, and/or consumer protection; and the ability to work closely in a team, or the ability to manage a team, with the ability to work effectively with Section employees in all areas. Ideal candidates should have initiative and an excellent work ethic; strong interest in and demonstrated aptitude for handling complex, high-profile litigation, often on an abbreviated schedule and of a sensitive nature; innovative thinking; strong research, computer literacy, investigatory, analytical, and writing skills; excellent public speaking and communication skills; and judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters. Strong candidates will exhibit the ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines; prioritize tasks and projects; maintain professionalism under pressure; work independently and as a team member; and self-educate when confronted by complex and multidimensional problems.

Application Process

Please submit an application via CalCareers by 2/19/2025:

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=463813

In your application package, please include:

  • Standard State Application (completed online)
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Writing sample – consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief