Legal Counsel Jobs in California

Legal Counsel jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with demand concentrated in technology, entertainment, healthcare, and financial services and openings at every level from junior associate counsel through senior vice president. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the largest share of postings, where major employers like Apple, Google, and Kaiser Permanente maintain substantial in-house legal teams. The most sought-after specialties in California are privacy and data security law, intellectual property, employment law, and regulatory compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles87
Top employerApple
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring34
Work type44% Hybrid
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 87+ Legal Counsel jobs

Apple
Legal Counsel - Commercial Litigation
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Apple
New 19h ago
Legal Counsel - Commercial Litigation
Apple
Cupertino, California
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$205k - $308k/yr
10,000+

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Meta
Associate General Counsel, Security Legal
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Meta
New 23h ago
Associate General Counsel, Security Legal
Meta
San Francisco, California
Business Development
Customer Success
Sales
$233k - $313k/yr
10,000+

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Meta
Associate General Counsel, Security Legal
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Meta
New 23h ago
Associate General Counsel, Security Legal
Meta
Menlo Park, California
Business Development
Customer Success
Sales
$233k - $313k/yr
10,000+

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Tyson & Mendes
Senior Counsel – Lemon Law Litigation (Remote)
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Tyson & Mendes
Added 1d ago
Senior Counsel – Lemon Law Litigation (Remote)
Tyson & Mendes
Novato, California
Compensation & Benefits
Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Learning & Development
$160k - $190k/yr
Hybrid
501-1,000

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Tyson & Mendes
Senior Counsel – Lemon Law Litigation (Remote)
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Tyson & Mendes
Added 1d ago
Senior Counsel – Lemon Law Litigation (Remote)
Tyson & Mendes
San Diego, California
Customer Service
Customer Support
$160k - $190k/yr
Remote (US)
501-1,000

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See All 87 Legal Counsel Jobs in California

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

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Legal Counsel Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Irvine
8 jobs
Los Angeles
8 jobs
San Jose
6 jobs
Cupertino
5 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
Beverly Hills
3 jobs
Mountain View
3 jobs
Palo Alto
2 jobs

Legal Counsel Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Apple
Apple4 open roles
TikTok
TikTok4 open roles
Amazon
Amazon4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Music
  • Retail
  • Education
  • Media & Entertainment

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Active membership in the State Bar of California in good standing
  • Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
  • Experience advising on California employment, privacy, or regulatory matters
  • Strong background in contract drafting, negotiation, and commercial transactions
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with business units and senior leadership
  • Familiarity with California-specific statutes including CCPA and FEHA

Legal Counsel Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a legal counsel in California?

Becoming a legal counsel in California requires earning a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, passing the California Bar Examination administered by the State Bar of California, and obtaining admission to the State Bar. Most in-house legal counsel roles also expect prior experience at a law firm or in a corporate legal department. Specialized areas like privacy or employment law benefit from additional coursework or certification recognized in California.

How much do legal counsels make in California?

Legal 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 legal counsels in California?

Employers hiring legal counsels in California right now include Apple, TikTok, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, major entertainment studios, and large healthcare systems means in-house legal departments here tend to be among the largest and most active in the country.

Which California cities have the most legal counsel jobs?

San Francisco, Irvine, and Los Angeles have the most legal counsel openings in California. Los Angeles draws heavy demand from entertainment, media, and healthcare employers, San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area reflect the density of technology and venture-backed companies headquartered there, and San Diego generates consistent openings through its biotech, life sciences, and defense contracting industries.

Are there remote legal counsel jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 59% of legal counsel openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on drafting, reviewing, and advising rather than physical presence. Contract review, compliance counseling, and privacy advisory roles are the most frequently offered in fully remote arrangements.

How can I get hired as a legal counsel in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a post-graduate clerkship or a junior associate role at a California law firm before transitioning in-house. Large California employers like technology companies in the Bay Area and health systems like Sutter Health and Cedars-Sinai hire legal operations coordinators and contracts administrators as feeder roles into counsel positions. Candidates who have passed the California Bar and completed a clinical or externship program focused on business or employment law have a clear advantage when applying to entry-level in-house openings.

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

You can find and apply to legal counsel jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 87 Legal Counsel Jobs in California

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

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