County Attorney Jobs in California
County Attorney jobs in California are concentrated in public sector legal offices across the state's 58 counties, with demand steady at every level from entry-level deputy positions to senior supervising attorneys. Most openings cluster in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, where offices such as the Los Angeles County Counsel, the County of Sacramento Department of the County Counsel, and the San Diego County Office of the County Counsel maintain large permanent legal teams. The most consistently sought specialties include child welfare and dependency law, land use and environmental litigation, and labor and employment matters. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 12+ County Attorney jobs
Orange County
Fennemore, an AM Law 200 law firm that helps businesses thrive, has an immediate need for an attorney with three plus years’ quality employment litigation experience to join our Orange County office. The ideal candidate will have experience drafting pleadings, motions, discovery, legal memoranda, and employee handbooks, and experience managing written discovery, depositions, and discovery disputes. Must have a working familiarity with California state and federal procedures, and be available to make in-person court appearances in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills required, along with the ability to manage matters with limited supervision. California Bar membership, and employment law experience, required. Experience with healthcare litigation matters is preferred.
Fennemore offers a flexible work environment. A qualified candidate may fill this role on a substantially remote basis, but should plan to be in office 1-2 days a week after a period of acclimation, and should be available to attend hearings and meetings in-person as needed.
The American Lawyer recently named Fennemore the # 1 Law Firm in the United States for revenue growth among AM Law 200 Firms, and we consistently enjoy the best retention statistics in the industry.
Compensation: Fennemore’s compensation structure is merit-based and considers experience, location and overall performance. Total expected annual compensation for a third year attorney in this position in the Orange County office at 1,850 hours before any objective or subjective bonus awards is expected to be $220,000, of which $180,000 is paid monthly and $10,000 per quarter if minimum hours are hit. Additionally, the firm has an objective bonus system, with the average amount for full-year lawyers exceeding $30,000 in 2025. On top of this, the firm has a subjective bonus system.
Actual compensation varies based on experience, performance, and billable hours. Full compensation and benefits details will be provided to candidates during the hiring process, consistent with applicable pay transparency laws.
Orange County
Fennemore, an AM Law 200 law firm that helps businesses thrive, has an immediate need for an attorney with three plus years’ quality employment litigation experience to join our Orange County office. The ideal candidate will have experience drafting pleadings, motions, discovery, legal memoranda, and employee handbooks, and experience managing written discovery, depositions, and discovery disputes. Must have a working familiarity with California state and federal procedures, and be available to make in-person court appearances in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills required, along with the ability to manage matters with limited supervision. California Bar membership, and employment law experience, required. Experience with healthcare litigation matters is preferred.
Fennemore offers a flexible work environment. A qualified candidate may fill this role on a substantially remote basis, but should plan to be in office 1-2 days a week after a period of acclimation, and should be available to attend hearings and meetings in-person as needed.
The American Lawyer recently named Fennemore the # 1 Law Firm in the United States for revenue growth among AM Law 200 Firms, and we consistently enjoy the best retention statistics in the industry.
Compensation: Fennemore’s compensation structure is merit-based and considers experience, location and overall performance. Total expected annual compensation for a third year attorney in this position in the Orange County office at 1,850 hours before any objective or subjective bonus awards is expected to be $220,000, of which $180,000 is paid monthly and $10,000 per quarter if minimum hours are hit. Additionally, the firm has an objective bonus system, with the average amount for full-year lawyers exceeding $30,000 in 2025. On top of this, the firm has a subjective bonus system.
Actual compensation varies based on experience, performance, and billable hours. Full compensation and benefits details will be provided to candidates during the hiring process, consistent with applicable pay transparency laws.
See All 12 County Attorney Jobs in California
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Find County Attorney JobsCounty Attorney Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
County Attorney Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in county attorney jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California in good standing
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Prior experience in civil litigation, government law, or public agency representation
- Demonstrated experience in a relevant practice area such as dependency, land use, or employment law
- Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license if required by the position
County Attorney Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a county attorney in California?
To become a county attorney in California, you must earn a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, pass the California State Bar Examination, and be admitted to practice through the State Bar of California. County counsel offices then hire from the active membership rolls, typically seeking candidates with litigation or public law experience. Some counties post deputy county counsel openings aimed at newly admitted attorneys, making bar admission the most critical credential to secure first.
Which companies hire county attorneys in California?
Employers hiring county attorneys in California right now include Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP, Kern County, CA, and Fennemore Craig, PC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large county governments tend to be the most consistent source of openings, with the state's most populous counties maintaining sizable in-house legal departments that recruit year-round.
Which California cities have the most county attorney jobs?
Costa Mesa, Orange County, and Irvine have the most county attorney openings in California. Los Angeles dominates by volume given the sheer size of county government there, while Sacramento's concentration of state and regional agencies drives demand in the capital region, and San Diego's large county population sustains a well-staffed county counsel office that recruits regularly across multiple practice areas.
Are there remote county attorney jobs in California?
Yes, but they are rare. About 100% of county attorney openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the in-person demands of court appearances, client meetings, and county board proceedings that define most of the role. Legal research, drafting, and advisory work are the functions most often performed remotely when flexible arrangements are available.
How can I get hired as a county attorney in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for deputy county counsel positions, which many California counties post specifically for newly admitted attorneys. Large offices such as those in Los Angeles County, Alameda County, and Santa Clara County run structured programs that pair new attorneys with experienced supervising counsel. Lateral moves from public defender offices, legal aid organizations, or California district attorney offices are also common routes, as that public law background translates directly into county civil practice.
Where can I find and apply to county attorney jobs in California?
You can find and apply to county attorney jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from county offices and public agencies across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your practice area and experience level, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 12 County Attorney Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find County Attorney Jobs