Deputy Attorney General Jobs
Deputy attorney general jobs are open across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector legal departments, at levels from entry-level staff attorney to senior deputy, with specializations in criminal law, civil litigation, and regulatory compliance. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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THIS POSTING WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Application cut-off dates are the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.
IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The City Attorney is currently seeking an experienced attorney to handle Employment Litigation. The ideal candidate would be an experienced litigator who is has the capability of independently handling a litigation caseload and has effective and persuasive written and oral advocacy skills, solid legal writing background and legal research skills. They will have the ability to work collaboratively for some projects and independently for others. The candidate will be comfortable and competent to handle civil litigation from inception to conclusion, including any potential appeal and post-trial motions. The position is project based with no billable hour requirement.
Under general direction, the Senior Deputy City Attorney provides professional legal services for the City of Sacramento and its boards, commissions, offices, and departments.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is populated with multiple incumbents assigned to a City Attorney’s office: Special Projects, Litigation, and Advisory. Senior Deputy City Attorney is the advanced journey-level in the City Attorney's office. Incumbents are expected to use professional judgment and skill in performing work, the acceptability of which is subject to review by professional superiors through inspection of casework, records, and documents, and through periodic conferences. The Senior Deputy City Attorney is distinguished from the Deputy City Attorney II in that the former may specialize in certain areas of the law as it applies to the City.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
General direction is provided by a Supervising Deputy City Attorney. The Senior Deputy City Attorney may oversee and lead the work of other attorneys, paralegal and office support staff. The Senior Deputy City Attorney does not supervise.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs complex legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City of Sacramento, and its boards, commissions, offices, and departments; represents the City Attorney at various board and commission meetings as assigned.
- Prepares and drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents; reviews documents and offers advice as to the legal acceptability of such documents; confers and assists City departments in establishing policies by developing and applying legal points and procedures, recommends changes in policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
- Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City; recommends action to be taken; prepares cases for hearings; represents
- Prepares cases for trial; may serve as trial lawyer for the City before County, State, and Federal courts at all levels.
- Initiates code enforcement proceedings in Court and prepares the required pleadings; prepares cases for condemnation proceedings.
- Initiates and defends cases involving the City, prepares the required pleadings; may serve as a trail lawyer for the City before County, State and Federal courts at all levels.
- Performs other or related work as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Municipal, state, and constitutional laws affecting city government.
- Methods of legal research.
- Court and administrative agency procedures, methods and practices of pleading and rules of evidence.
Skill in:
- Use of desktop computer including basic applications and related computer-based research.
Ability to:
- Research legal issues and prepare sound opinions.
- Draft and present persuasive arguments.
- Read and comprehend legal documents quickly an efficiently.
- Use sound judgment in providing legal advice.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relationships.
- Work well under the pressure of a heavy caseload and short deadlines.
- Recognize and handle issues of political sensitivity.
- Direct support staff that are not direct reports
- Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Four years of professional legal experience comparable to a Deputy City Attorney with the City of Sacramento.
COMPARABLE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION
To see the classification specification for the comparable classification of Deputy City Attorney, please click here .
Education:
Graduation from an accredited school of law.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Current membership in good standing the California State Bar Association.
PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP
Proof of the required membership and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.
1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the next posted cut-off date ;
- Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
- Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
- If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
- If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
- Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
- Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
- Proof of membership and/or license should be submitted online with your application. Proof of membership and/or license will be required at time of appointment.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the next posted cut-off date ;
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
- Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
- A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
- Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.
3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.
4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.
5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting . If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.
QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:
- Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
- For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
- Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
- Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ;or
- Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726
Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.
Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
Additional Information
Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf
Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html
Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
City of Sacramento
The City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, California, was founded in 1849, and is the oldest incorporated city in California. In 1920, Sacramento City voters adopted a City Charter (municipal constitution) and a City Council-City Manager form of government, which are still used today.
The City Council consists of a Mayor elected by all City voters, and Councilmembers elected to represent the eight separate Council districts in the City. Each district is a separate geographical area with a population of about 51,000 residents. Each Councilmember must be a registered voter and live in the district they represent. Elected members serve 4 year terms and elections are staggered every two years in even numbered years. (Council District Information, including summary report of population and racial statistics).
The Council establishes City policies, ordinances, and land uses; approves the City's annual budget, contracts, and agreements; hears appeals of decisions made by City staff or citizen advisory groups; and appoints four Charter Officers, a City Manager, City Attorney, City Treasurer, and City Clerk. Councilmembers serve on several working committees, such as Law and Legislation, and Personnel and Public Employees. In 2002, City voters amended the City Charter and established a Compensation Commission to set the compensation for the Mayor, Council members and public members of City boards and commissions. This Charter Amendment also established the Mayor's position as a full-time job.
The City also has a Legislative Affairs Unit; it's primary purpose is to advocate, coordinate and advance the City's legislative agenda to enhance the City's ability to govern and provide essential municipal and community services.
Senior Deputy City Attorney
- City of Sacramento, CA
- Sacramento, California United States View Map
- Salary: $152,343.05 - $214,361.97 Annually USD
- Posted: May 30, 2026
- Location: Sacramento,California
- Full Time
- Legal Services
- Other
Deputy Attorney General Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Deputy Attorney General JobsDeputy Attorney General Job Market
Who's Hiring
- State of Delaware15
- United States Department of Justice12
- County of Santa Barbara7
- Los Angeles City Attorney7
- Churchill County6C
Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in deputy attorney general jobs.
- Active bar admission in the hiring state or jurisdiction
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Minimum of three to five years of litigation or legal advisory experience
- Experience drafting briefs, motions, or formal legal opinions
- Familiarity with state or federal administrative law and regulatory procedure
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills demonstrated through prior caseload
Tips for Your Deputy Attorney General Job Search
Tailor your resume to jurisdiction type
State, federal, and local government deputy attorney general roles each have different writing conventions. Highlight bar admissions, caseload volume, and courtroom appearances for government roles, and shift toward transaction and advisory work when targeting private sector equivalents.
Surface relevant prosecutorial or civil experience
Hiring panels look for demonstrated experience in your target practice area, not just years of licensure. If you have criminal, civil rights, environmental, or consumer protection experience, name the statutes and agencies involved so reviewers can match your background immediately.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists deputy attorney general openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Research the office before your interview
Deputy attorney general interviews often include policy or fact-pattern questions tied to the office's current priorities. Read recent press releases, litigation announcements, and legislative testimony from the office so your answers reflect current caseload and jurisdiction.
Negotiate scope before you negotiate compensation
In government settings, direct salary negotiation is limited by pay bands. Focus instead on grade level, supervisory designation, and telework arrangements, all of which affect long-term career trajectory and daily working conditions in ways base pay alone does not.
Follow up through official channels only
Government hiring offices route all candidate communication through their human resources department. Address follow-up correspondence to the HR contact listed in the vacancy announcement rather than the supervising attorney, which keeps your application in good standing with the hiring process.
Deputy Attorney General Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most deputy attorney generals?
State of Delaware, United States Department of Justice, and County of Santa Barbara are hiring the most deputy attorney generals right now, with openings concentrated in California, Colorado, and Idaho, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. State attorneys general offices and large municipal legal departments consistently post the highest volume of openings.
How many deputy attorney general jobs are remote?
About 64% of deputy attorney general openings are fully remote or hybrid as of July 2026, which is lower than average for legal roles given the court appearance and in-person advisory requirements of the position. Advisory and policy-focused deputy attorney general roles, particularly those supporting regulatory agencies, are most likely to offer hybrid arrangements.
How do you become a deputy attorney general?
You earn a Juris Doctor, pass the bar exam in your target state, and build litigation or legal advisory experience in a government agency, public defender or prosecutor office, or relevant private practice. Most offices require you to demonstrate courtroom experience and knowledge of state-specific statutes before considering candidates for the deputy level.
Can you get hired as a deputy attorney general with little experience?
Some state attorney general offices hire law school graduates into entry-level deputy attorney general roles, particularly in high-volume civil enforcement or criminal divisions. Judicial clerkships, law school clinics with a government focus, and internships inside a state agency legal department all strengthen a newer attorney's application significantly.
What does the deputy attorney general interview process look like?
Most offices use a structured process that starts with a resume screen, followed by a phone or video interview with HR, and then a panel interview with supervising attorneys. Panels often include a writing exercise or a hypothetical fact pattern relevant to the division's practice area, and some offices require a writing sample submitted in advance.
Where can I find and apply to deputy attorney general jobs?
You can find and apply to deputy attorney general jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your bar admission, practice area, and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 159+ Deputy Attorney General Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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