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.
Find Assistant Counsel JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 70+ Assistant Counsel jobs
INTRODUCTION
Join us in building the future of finance. Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you’re ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.
ABOUT THE TEAM + ROLE
We are building an elite team, applying frontier technologies to the world’s biggest financial problems. We’re looking for bold thinkers. Sharp problem-solvers. Builders who are wired to make an impact. Robinhood isn’t a place for complacency, it’s where ambitious people do the best work of their careers. We’re a high-performing, fast-moving team with ethics at the center of everything we do. Expectations are high, and so are the rewards. Robinhood is looking for an Assistant General Counsel to join our growing Regulatory legal team. We are looking for an attorney with experience in retail broker-dealer regulation who is excited to work at the intersection of regulation, technology, and finance. We are looking for a highly adaptable and collaborative person who can handle ambiguity and rapidly shifting priorities with flexibility and perseverance. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing company and support our mission to democratize finance for all.
LOCATION
This role is based in our New York, NY; Washington DC; or Menlo Park, CA office(s), with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week. At Robinhood, we believe in the power of in-person work to accelerate progress, spark innovation, and strengthen community. Our office experience is intentional, energizing, and designed to fully support high-performing teams.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Navigate complex regulatory frameworks to help the business design innovative financial products and services
- Identify and draft necessary changes to the firm's systems and procedures to meet the requirements of new rules/regulations
- Engage with regulators, including the SEC and FINRA, and other external parties
- Draft agreements, policies and procedures, disclosures, account documentation and website materials
- Review marketing materials, advertisements, and other communications with the public
- Resolve customer account issues related to estates, bankruptcies, powers of attorney, and related matters
- Monitor SEC/FINRA and SRO rule developments and making resulting recommendations
- Research securities and brokerage questions and providing legal analysis and recommendations
- Partner cross-functionally with teams including litigation, compliance, product and government affairs
WHAT YOU BRING
- J.D. degree (or foreign equivalent) and membership in at least 1 U.S. state bar
- 10+ years of legal practice experience specializing in advising retail broker-dealers
- Knowledge or expertise in the rules and regulations relevant to broker-dealers, including for example: sales practice rules, Reg BI, Form CRS, licensing and registration, communications with the public, and books and records
- Experience supporting different types of brokerage accounts, including for example, IRAs, trusts, and custodial accounts
- Track record of developing practical solutions to novel problems
- Exceptional project management and communication skills
- In-house legal experience
- Experience at a federal or state financial regulatory agency
- Experience with finance, technology or start-up organizations
- Ability to provide practical, strategic and business-oriented legal advice
- Ability to effectively manage multiple time sensitive tasks and react to ever-shifting priorities
- Experience drafting comment letters, working with industry trade groups, and engaging in rulemaking and legislative advocacy efforts
- Experience working with options, privacy, advisory, and cryptocurrency is a plus
WHAT WE OFFER
- Challenging, high-impact work to grow your career.
- Performance-driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, equity ownership, and 401(k) matching.
- Best-in-class benefits to fuel your work, including 100% paid health insurance for employees with 90% coverage for dependents.
- Lifestyle wallet — a highly flexible benefits spending account for wellness, learning, and more.
- Employer-paid life & disability insurance, fertility benefits, and mental health benefits.
- Time off to recharge including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, parental leave, and more!
- Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces.
COMPENSATION
In addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits. Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed and is aligned to one of 3 compensation zones. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.
- Base Pay Range
Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC) $217,000—$255,000 USD
Zone 2 (Denver, CO; Westlake, TX; Chicago, IL) $191,000—$224,000 USD
Zone 3 (Lake Mary, FL; Clearwater, FL; Gainesville, FL) $170,000—$199,000 USD
If our mission energizes you and you’re ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application. Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best. Please review the Privacy Policy for your country of application.
INTRODUCTION
Join us in building the future of finance. Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you’re ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.
ABOUT THE TEAM + ROLE
We are building an elite team, applying frontier technologies to the world’s biggest financial problems. We’re looking for bold thinkers. Sharp problem-solvers. Builders who are wired to make an impact. Robinhood isn’t a place for complacency, it’s where ambitious people do the best work of their careers. We’re a high-performing, fast-moving team with ethics at the center of everything we do. Expectations are high, and so are the rewards. Robinhood is looking for an Assistant General Counsel to join our growing Regulatory legal team. We are looking for an attorney with experience in retail broker-dealer regulation who is excited to work at the intersection of regulation, technology, and finance. We are looking for a highly adaptable and collaborative person who can handle ambiguity and rapidly shifting priorities with flexibility and perseverance. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing company and support our mission to democratize finance for all.
LOCATION
This role is based in our New York, NY; Washington DC; or Menlo Park, CA office(s), with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week. At Robinhood, we believe in the power of in-person work to accelerate progress, spark innovation, and strengthen community. Our office experience is intentional, energizing, and designed to fully support high-performing teams.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Navigate complex regulatory frameworks to help the business design innovative financial products and services
- Identify and draft necessary changes to the firm's systems and procedures to meet the requirements of new rules/regulations
- Engage with regulators, including the SEC and FINRA, and other external parties
- Draft agreements, policies and procedures, disclosures, account documentation and website materials
- Review marketing materials, advertisements, and other communications with the public
- Resolve customer account issues related to estates, bankruptcies, powers of attorney, and related matters
- Monitor SEC/FINRA and SRO rule developments and making resulting recommendations
- Research securities and brokerage questions and providing legal analysis and recommendations
- Partner cross-functionally with teams including litigation, compliance, product and government affairs
WHAT YOU BRING
- J.D. degree (or foreign equivalent) and membership in at least 1 U.S. state bar
- 10+ years of legal practice experience specializing in advising retail broker-dealers
- Knowledge or expertise in the rules and regulations relevant to broker-dealers, including for example: sales practice rules, Reg BI, Form CRS, licensing and registration, communications with the public, and books and records
- Experience supporting different types of brokerage accounts, including for example, IRAs, trusts, and custodial accounts
- Track record of developing practical solutions to novel problems
- Exceptional project management and communication skills
- In-house legal experience
- Experience at a federal or state financial regulatory agency
- Experience with finance, technology or start-up organizations
- Ability to provide practical, strategic and business-oriented legal advice
- Ability to effectively manage multiple time sensitive tasks and react to ever-shifting priorities
- Experience drafting comment letters, working with industry trade groups, and engaging in rulemaking and legislative advocacy efforts
- Experience working with options, privacy, advisory, and cryptocurrency is a plus
WHAT WE OFFER
- Challenging, high-impact work to grow your career.
- Performance-driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, equity ownership, and 401(k) matching.
- Best-in-class benefits to fuel your work, including 100% paid health insurance for employees with 90% coverage for dependents.
- Lifestyle wallet — a highly flexible benefits spending account for wellness, learning, and more.
- Employer-paid life & disability insurance, fertility benefits, and mental health benefits.
- Time off to recharge including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, parental leave, and more!
- Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces.
COMPENSATION
In addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits. Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed and is aligned to one of 3 compensation zones. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.
- Base Pay Range
Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC) $217,000—$255,000 USD
Zone 2 (Denver, CO; Westlake, TX; Chicago, IL) $191,000—$224,000 USD
Zone 3 (Lake Mary, FL; Clearwater, FL; Gainesville, FL) $170,000—$199,000 USD
If our mission energizes you and you’re ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application. Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best. Please review the Privacy Policy for your country of application.
See All 70 Assistant Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Assistant Counsel JobsAssistant Counsel Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Counsel Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Jobot8
- North East Medical Services4
- The People Concern4
- Clark Hill3
- Robinhood3
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services19
- Staffing & Recruiting8
- Healthcare & Medical Services6
- Non-Profit & Social Services6
- Technology & Software6
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 Jobot, North East Medical Services, and The People Concern, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. 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 33% of assistant counsel openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 70 Assistant Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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