Description

Position Details

Description of Series

Under general direction, at the advanced journey level, incumbents independently perform work involving novel theories, emerging areas of law, legal specialization, and precedential significance. Incumbents may be assigned sensitive and difficult litigation and handle cases that may be appealed to the highest courts. Assignments typically consist of negotiations, legislative liaison, hearings, legal research, and opinion/brief drafting; rendering legal advice and opinions to departmental management; responding to challenging legal correspondence; developing strategy and tactics in complex disputes or litigation; and may include acting in a lead capacity over other attorneys and staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Six years of legal experience in the practice of law*, one year of which must have been at a level equivalent to an Attorney III or higher.

Knowledge and Abilities

There are distinct increases in the complexity of knowledge and abilities, the scope of work and effect on programs and services provided and performed as incumbents advance through this classification series.  Incumbents are expected to use the increasing knowledge, abilities, and experiences to perform increasingly difficult and complex legal duties effectively.

Knowledge of: Legal research methods and performing research; legal principles and their application; scope and character of California statutory law and of the provisions of the California Constitution; federal and state statutes and rules; rules of professional conduct; principles of administrative trial and hearing procedure and rules of evidence; court procedures; legal terms and forms in common use; statutory and case law literature and authorities; professional and ethical rules as they relate to the practice of law; appellate proceedings; rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial and appellate courts of California and the United States and before administrative bodies; and provisions of laws and Government Code sections administered or enforced.

Ability to: Research; analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; prepare and present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; prepare correspondence and memoranda involving the explanation of legal matters; draft opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation; negotiate effectively and conduct crucial litigation; work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others; independently present difficult and complex cases before Administrative Law Judges; prepare, present, and handle legal cases; direct the work of clerical and professional assistants; edit written documents written by oneself, as well as those produced by others, for accuracy and effectiveness; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; reason logically; exercise good judgment; effectively plan and engage in discovery, including depositions and interrogatories, and to compel production or attendance of/at same; independently prepare and present difficult and complex cases before boards, commissions, trial courts, and appellate courts; independently present difficult and complex cases before administrative bodies.