GRADUATE LEGAL ASSISTANT

Job Description and Duties

The Tort & Condemnation Section serves as legal counsel to state officers and agencies in complex, often high-profile civil litigation in both state and federal court. Our section offers opportunities to work on civil rights, mass torts, personal injury, premises liability, flood and fire, and wrongful death claims and appeals. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, Graduate Legal Assistants will have the opportunity to work on substantive legal matters of public interest and importance. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, Graduate Legal Assistants in the Tort and Condemnation Section defend state employees and agencies in federal and state litigation.

Duties include:

Handling a variety of matters that are often high-profile and involve issues of first impression;

Conducting legal research and assisting in preparing a variety of legal documents, including briefs, memoranda and legislative analyses, often under tight deadlines, for client agencies or the Attorney General and other constitutional officers;

Investigating facts and analyzing documentary evidence;

Working collaboratively with team members;

Traveling as necessary for depositions, hearings, trials, witness interviews, client meetings, and site inspections as needed statewide;

Representing the Attorney General’s Office with the highest ethical and professional standards.

This is a full-time position, in a collegial office environment, with opportunities for telework pursuant to the section’s telework policy.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• A fingerprint check will be required. 

• May be required to travel to remote locations within the State, sometimes with little notice.

• Unofficial law school transcripts will be accepted during the application process; however, submission of official transcripts is required prior to appointment.

• Appointment to the Graduate Legal Assistant (GLA) class is limited term. Permanent appointment to the Deputy Attorney General (DAG) class may be based on successful admission to the California State Bar and DAG list eligibility.

• 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:  .

• Clearly indicate the Job Control Code ( JC-526622) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Application.

• 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.

• Please note that appointment to the GLA classification will be made using the following examination:

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: 8/28/2026

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 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-Heather Nguyen

Attn: Heather Nguyen (JC-526622)

1300 I Street Suite 720

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-Heather Nguyen

Heather Nguyen (JC-526622)

1300 I Street Suite 720

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 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.
• Other - Cover letter. 
• Other -

  Writing sample (20 pages maximum) reflecting legal analysis, analytical abilities, and effective writing style, such as amemorandum in support of a motion, an appellate brief, or a litigation strategy or settlement evaluation letter, preferably written within the last year.

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.

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:
Heather Nguyen
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.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
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

California Relay Service: View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (TTY), View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (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.