Assistant Counsel Jobs in California

Assistant Counsel jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in government agencies, entertainment and media, technology, and financial services, with openings from entry-level to senior associate positions. The largest hiring volumes are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where employers like the State of California, Disney, and Salesforce maintain substantial legal departments that regularly bring on assistant counsels. The most in-demand specialties are employment law, corporate transactions, entertainment and intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles42
Top employerIntuit
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring18
Work type63% Hybrid
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 42+ Assistant Counsel jobs

Administrative Assistant - Office of General Counsel
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New 7h ago
Administrative Assistant - Office of General Counsel
University of La Verne
La Verne, California
Administrative & Office Support
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$21.86 - $26.04/hr
Associate's degree in Business Administration
1,001-5,000

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Assistant General Counsel
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Added 2d ago
Assistant General Counsel
Swinerton
San Francisco, California
Compliance & Legal
Consulting & Professional Services
Legal Counsel
$200k - $220k/yr
5,001-10,000

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Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Securities
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Added 3d ago
Assistant General Counsel, Corporate & Securities
Accuray
Sunnyvale, California
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
Paralegal & Legal Support
Remote (US)
Bachelor of Science
1,001-5,000

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Assistant General Counsel - Ventures & M&A
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Added 3d ago
Assistant General Counsel - Ventures & M&A
Micron Technology
San Jose, California
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
$212k - $372k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Assistant General Counsel - IT and Commercial Contracts
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Added 4d ago
Assistant General Counsel - IT and Commercial Contracts
AECOM
Los Angeles, California
Compliance & Legal
Corporate Development & M&A
Legal Counsel
$180k - $280k/yr
Remote (US)
10,000+

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See All 42 Assistant Counsel Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Assistant Counsel Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
8 jobs
Los Angeles
4 jobs
San Jose
3 jobs
Palo Alto
3 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
Mountain View
3 jobs
Oakland
2 jobs
Santa Clara
2 jobs
Irvine
1 job

Assistant Counsel Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Intuit7 open roles
CoreSite4 open roles
Micron Technology2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Investment & Asset Management

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in assistant counsel jobs across California.

  • Active membership in the State Bar of California in good standing
  • Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
  • One to five years of experience in a relevant legal practice area
  • Demonstrated research and legal writing ability with a professional writing sample
  • Familiarity with California-specific statutes, regulations, and court procedures
  • Experience with e-discovery platforms, contract management systems, or legal research tools

Assistant Counsel Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become an assistant counsel in California?

To become an assistant counsel in California, you must earn a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, pass the California Bar Examination, and be admitted to the State Bar of California. The State Bar of California administers admissions and ongoing licensure. Most employers expect candidates to be in good standing with an active California license before applying, though some large organizations will consider candidates who have passed the bar and are awaiting formal admission.

How much do assistant counsels make in California?

Assistant counsels in California earn a median of about $195,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,950 for the lowest 10% to over $369,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire assistant counsels in California?

Employers hiring assistant counsels in California right now include Intuit, CoreSite, and Micron Technology, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, entertainment studios, major financial institutions, and large state and county government agencies means the employer base is unusually broad and diverse compared to most states.

Which California cities have the most assistant counsel jobs?

The cities with the most assistant counsel openings in California are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose. Los Angeles drives volume through its entertainment, media, and corporate headquarters presence, while San Francisco and the broader Bay Area reflect demand from technology and venture-backed companies, and Sacramento's numbers are shaped by the density of state government agencies and regulatory bodies headquartered there.

Are there remote assistant counsel jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most legal roles. About 83% of assistant counsel openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of much of the work. Contract review, compliance advisory, and transactional support are the sub-areas most likely to be offered on a remote or hybrid basis, while roles requiring court appearances or in-person client counsel are typically on-site.

How can I get hired as an assistant counsel in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a post-graduate clerkship or a structured legal fellowship with a California state agency or county counsel's office, which regularly takes on new attorneys through competitive programs. Large California employers like county governments, the University of California system, and major technology companies run associate or staff attorney pipelines open to recent admittees. Candidates who come from paralegal or legal analyst roles, or who have completed a judicial externship with a California court, gain a measurable edge over applicants without any in-state exposure.

Where can I find and apply to assistant counsel jobs in California?

You can find and apply to assistant counsel jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and employer types. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your practice area and experience level, and apply directly to the employers that interest you.

See All 42 Assistant Counsel Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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