DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Office of Enforcement at the Department of Managed Health Care handles the litigation needs of the DMHC, representing the DMHC in actions to enforce managed health care laws. A successful candidate will be responsible for performing sensitive and complex litigation work related to health care service plans pursuant to the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, (Health and Safety Code section 1340, et seq.) and its implementing regulations (California Code of Regulations, title 28, division 1, chapter 1 (sections 1300.41-1300.826)).
The Attorney III classification is distinguished from the Attorney classification by the expertise and experience required to perform the duties of an Attorney III. The incumbent will be involved in prosecuting and defending civil and administrative cases at the trial and appellate levels involving matters of the highest degree of difficulty and sensitivity.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING (other duties may be assigned):
Assignments typically consist of: conducting litigation and representing the DMHC at administrative and court hearings; conducting legal research and providing legal advice and opinions to DMHC management and executive; responding to difficult legal correspondence; and developing strategy and tactics in the most complex disputes and litigation. The Attorney III interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities, provides advice or opinions to Departmental management on legal issues arising out investigations, and may appear in all California courts.
The Attorney III should be able to: provide policy analysis of proposed legislation; conduct negotiations, prepare cases, opinions, briefs, and other legal documents, such as memoranda and reports; prepare cases which may result in litigation before administrative law judges and civil trial or appellate courts; assemble and evaluate evidence; and take sworn statements.
The Attorney III is required to take substantial initiative, exercise a considerable amount of discretion, display superior work habits (e.g., organizational skills, accountability, timely completion of assignments), work independently, and produce the highest quantity and quality of legal work. The Attorney III serves as lead counsel with less experienced staff in litigation.
The Attorney III will be assigned increasingly difficult work, and need less direct supervision, as experience is gained in the respective classification at the Office of Enforcement. The following core essential functions of the Attorney series do not vary with experience:
• Maintain normal and consistent work hours, averaging 40 hours per week. (Proportionately less for part time positions.) When necessary, work in excess of 40 hours per week is expected to complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Routinely exercise independent, professional judgment, and accept supervision as directed or ordered.
• Travel to all parts of the State and the United States as required. Travel may involve one or more overnight stays, as required.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally in person, through the use of documents and electronic devices.
• Handle multiple tasks, significant caseload, and effectively prioritize work.
• Perform research and analysis and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems.
Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey: DMHC Recruitment Survey.
Leave Program (PLP) 2025 agreement:
Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.