Assistant Chief Counsel

Job Description and Duties

With general direction provided by the Chief Counsel, assist with the day-to-day oversight of the Legal Office as it serves the Controller in the discharge of her constitutional responsibilities. As the Assistant Chief Counsel, organize and direct the caseload consistent with the direction of Chief Counsel, while identifying and implementing new processes and procedures to expedite responses to programmatic legal challenges or controls. The incumbent will be expected to exercise a high level of independence and judgement, but consistent with the expectations of the Chief Counsel.

Duties Performed:

(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and review the work of attorneys whose responsibilities include, but is not limited to the development of legal opinions, responding to legal challenges, evaluating constitutional law related to the State Controller's responsibilities, etc.; facilitate knowledge transfer amongst existing attorneys; mentor, guide, and direct attorneys who are new or inexperienced to the department;

• Assist the Chief Counsel in providing oversight of legal staff, implementing training schedules, approving and denying leave usage, evaluating performance, imposing progressive discipline, setting caseload expectations; establishing consistency in legal opinion development; reviewing assignments; identifying corrective actions;

• Adhere to and set compliance goals; facilitate negotiations; influence the development of legal strategies in terms of program issues; research complex legal topics in support of decision-making opportunities on behalf of the Chief Counsel;

• Assess legal threats; coordinate the efforts of outside counsel when called upon to represent the department; assess risk and recommend best practice to better manage risk;

• Develop external relationships with other legal offices within different state departments; may be required to coordinate with the Attorney General's Office regarding subject-matter impacting the State Controller’s Office;

• Assist in the development of executive legal strategies by identifying historical context, and data analytics; may be called upon to vet legal position as it related to boards and commission; provide legal counsel to Senior Executive Staff members;

• Oversee the preparation for lawsuits, identifying best approach, case studies, and relevant court decisions on similar subject-matter;

• Establish legal premise to proposed legislation and the resulting impact to the department; coordinate the implementation of legal decisions stemming from court rulings, recommendations, or best practices;

• Participate in legal governance when applicable, providing legal argument and justifying program/department positioning; provide regulatory advice; ensure compliance with all laws and/or court decisions;

• Provide legal insight by applying expert guidance and establishing or promoting legal trends as identified by the Chief Counsel;

• Represent the Chief Counsel during scheduled meetings, negotiations, hearings, or counseling sessions regarding the various program areas within the SCO;

• Provide legal support for cases scheduled for hearing in various venues such as Supreme Court, Federal Courts, Superior Court, State Appellate Court etc.; such cases may include matters of first impression requiring new theories and/or suppositions;

• Engage in the most difficult and complex negotiations, legal research, and opinion development;

• Meet with high-level representatives of other departments, boards, and commissions, or opposing counsel to negotiate, address issues of interest on behalf of the State Controller’s Office, or mutually agree regarding potential resolutions;

• Travel to and from various locations when scheduled for hearings, meetings, or any other representational matters.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at The Emerald Tower on Capitol Mall, steps from Tower Bridge and is walking distance to the State Capitol. The building offers affordable monthly parking, employee gym access, an amenities center, and a beautiful mid-tower garden terrace. It is conveniently situated only blocks from Old Sacramento, numerous restaurants, a seasonal farmer’s market, and the Crocker Art Museum. Overlooking the Golden 1 Arena and Downtown Commons, the office is accessible from Sacramento Regional Transit’s light rail and bus systems, with convenient access to I-5, I-80, US 50 & US 99. 

This position is eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the State Controller's Office policies. Applicants must reside within California at the time of appointment. 

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Special Requirements

Take the required examination here: Attorney V Examination

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:

• Active Member of the California Bar required;

• Knowledge of the State Controller's responsibilities;

• Strong legal writing skills;

• Ability to conduct sound legal research and statutory analysis;

• Understanding of the California State statutory laws and provisions of the State Constitution;

• Knowledge of legal principles and application;

• Ability to exercise a high level of responsibility.

Benefits

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

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.