Job Posting: Opinion Unit Attorney

Department of Justice

JC-521666
-
Opinion Unit Attorney
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV

$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/3/2026

Job Description and Duties

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. As the chief law officer, the Attorney General has broad authority to provide his views on significant legal issues. Under state law, the Attorney General provides legal opinions when requested by designated public officials, including state constitutional officers, members of the Legislature, heads of state agencies, county counsels, city attorneys, district attorneys, and sheriffs. Attorney General legal opinions play an important role in guiding official decision-making and shaping California law and policy on questions of broad public importance. The Attorney General is also responsible for overseeing quo warranto litigation, including actions brought by private parties to challenge the eligibility of public officials to hold office.

Located within the Department of Justice, the Opinion Unit is responsible for developing formal legal opinions on behalf of the Attorney General. Legal opinions involve a wide range of novel and sensitive issues, including questions of statutory and regulatory interpretation, constitutional analysis, and state and federal preemption. Recent opinions have addressed diverse topics such as housing regulation, administrative law, taxation, cannabis, water regulation, labor law, good governance, gaming, immigration, criminal law, tribal affairs, and education. The Opinion Unit also manages the Attorney General’s review of quo warranto applications and oversees related litigation. At times, the Unit may provide legal analysis, advice, or special project support to the Attorney General and the Department as well.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Opinion Unit Deputies have primary responsibility for all stages of opinion development. In consultation with the Supervising Deputy Attorney General and the Senior Assistant Attorney General, Deputies communicate with state and local officials concerning opinion requests; research and draft opinions; consult with other sections and divisions within the Department of Justice; present proposed opinions to the Attorney General; and advise the Executive Office. Attorney General opinions undergo extensive internal review, and Deputies revise draft opinions based on feedback from supervisors, Executive staff, and Department stakeholders. Deputies assist Unit leadership with opinion intake, administrative functions, and other special assignments. Deputies also engage in opinion-related communications with interested external stakeholders and members of the public. The Opinion Unit prides itself on its professionalism and collegiality, and Deputies work collaboratively with other members of the Unit and colleagues throughout the Department.

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

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-521666
Position #(s):
420-071-5705-XXX
Working Title:
Opinion Unit Attorney
Classification:
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III
$10,852.00 - $15,325.00 A
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
$7,969.00 - $10,473.00 A
$8,969.00 - $12,026.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

  • This position is located in the Opinion Unit, Directorate Division, and subject to availability and operational needs may be filled in Fresno, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, or San Francisco.

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

    • Deputy Attorney General: Range A $8,846, Range B $9,956 
    • Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
    • Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313

    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.

Special Requirements

  • A fingerprint check will be required.
  • JC-521666 must be clearly stated in the "Examination or Job Title(s) for which you are Applying" section located on page one 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 Attorney General. The process is described at https://oag.ca.gov/careers/exams.

  • Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:

    *DAG 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
    *    DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: DAG/Attorney Examination

  • You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job.  However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.

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: 8/3/2026

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-521666)
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-521666)
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 (SOQ) 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. Vague and/or incomplete SOQ may not be considered if they do not fully respond to the required information. Cover letters do not take the places of the SOQ.
  • Other - Writing sample consisting of a legal memorandum, brief, or similar document with original research, analysis, and drafting. Please describe the amount of editing reflected in the writing sample.
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.

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:
  • A demonstrated record of excellence in legal research, writing, and analysis; including experience reviewing and editing the work of others.
  • Familiarity with the operation of government entities; experience working with public officials and handling sensitive issues with diplomacy and good judgment.
  • Understanding of how legal opinions affect diverse communities, individuals, and entities.
  • Interest in learning new areas of law and addressing novel legal problems of every kind, ranging from obscure technical regulations to fundamental constitutional principles.
  • The highest level of professionalism, ethics, and integrity; strong interpersonal communication and collaboration skills.

Benefits

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
Danielle Newman
(916) 210-6197
danielle.newman@doj.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

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 you are mailing your application, as a courtesy we ask that you contact the HR Consultant listed to confirm your application has been received. This is not required, but highly encouraged so we can ensure the timely submission of your application.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job