Are you looking for a unique opportunity earlier in your legal career to practice at the vanguard of American law? Step into a role where you can help preserve and advance California values of equity, inclusion, and fundamental fairness under law. The Civil Rights Enforcement Section is seeking attorneys who are not just looking for a job, but who wish to join a dynamic and effective team working every day to protect the civil liberties of nearly 40 million people. This is a unique chance for attorneys in the earlier part of their careers (at the DAG and DAG III level) to spend the next one to two years participating in the nation's most sophisticated civil rights practice, handling work that includes litigating cutting edge federalism issues, engaging in systemic equity investigations, and driving policy through legislation, regulatory, and other actions. Some examples of the Section's recent work include challenging national guard deployment; litigating to protect birthright citizenship; challenging the freezing of billions in federal government funds for childcare and family assistance programs;-and challenging the termination, freezing, and conditions placed on federal funding; inspecting and reporting on the conditions of immigration detention facilities; ensuring education equity through investigations and litigation; and filing amicus briefs on crucial federalism issues. Join us and help define what justice looks like in the 21st century.
The Civil Rights Enforcement Section within the Public Rights Division specializes in comprehensive systemic oversight investigations, litigation against the federal government to challenge federal overreach and unconstitutional actions, tackling complex issues relating to racial justice, disability rights, children's rights, and the full spectrum of other civil rights issues. We play a pivotal role in serving as appellate counsel for the California Civil Rights Department and advising numerous other state agencies on matters of state and federal importance. Whether acting in the Attorney General's independent capacity or representing state agencies, CRES is dedicated to dismantling implicit and explicit bias in governmental services and upholding the promise of equal protection for all. Graduate Legal Assistants (GLAs) who are part of the Cvil Rights Enforcement Section, work as part of a dynamic legal team committed to public service. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, GLAs will have the opportunity to work on substantive legal matters of public interest and importance. They conduct legal and other research and assist 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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Minimum Requirements: You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
GRADUATE LEGAL ASSISTANT
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 interest in public service; a strong academic record at an accredited law school; journal, moot court and/or mock trial experience; and excellent writing skills. Candidates should be highly motivated to work on civil rights matters. Candidates should be well organized and detail oriented, and be able to work under tight deadlines and pressure. We are seeking candidates who have a positive attitude, are team players, have an excellent work ethic, and are willing and able to take direction. The ability to work well with a variety of personalities is crucial. This candidate should have strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to provide competent and reliable service to a large number of state client agencies and their in-house counsel in litigation settings. Candidates are expected to behave with the highest level of professionalism, including in high-stress situations, and be able to foster and maintain good relations with clients and deputies within the section.
