Licensing Section (DAG IV; will consider DAG III, DAG, or DAG V) (Deputy Attorney General)

Department of Justice · United States · San Diego County

Salary: $11,993 – $16,096 per month

Closes: 2026-11-13T00:00:00.000Z

Job description and requirements

Job Description and Duties The Licensing Section protects California consumers by representing over three dozen state licensing agencies in actions filed against licensed professionals. Matters include appeals from denials of licensure applications, prosecution of disciplinary actions against licensees, interim suspension and relief cases, license reinstatement cases, probation modification and termination cases, and injunctive proceedings against professional and vocational licensees and unlicensed individuals. The Licensing Section provides attorneys with opportunities to develop trial and oral advocacy skills, manage an independent caseload, and work with supportive, dedicated, and collaborative colleagues. Duties include: • Handling all phases of complex, sensitive, and difficult administrative litigation matters generally before the Office of Administrative Hearings, most of which do not include significant discovery • Preparing for and representing client agencies in several administrative hearings each month • Handling civil judicial review proceedings in California superior courts that arise out of administrative litigation, including petitions for writ of administrative and ordinary mandate and interlocutory writs and appeals • Appearing on behalf of client agencies at the administrative, superior court, and appellate levels • Handling other complex civil matters, including subpoena enforcement and defense, and complaints filed against client agencies in state and federal courts • Collaborating with other deputies, paralegals, supervisors, and clients to develop and implement case strategy • Working with investigators to obtain and develop evidence • Advising client agencies on legal matters, including settlement options, expert and/or consultant needs, and strategy • Providing training to agency staff All applicants must reside in California and be members in good standing of the California State Bar. This is a hybrid position with the opportunity to work remotely or in the office, with a minimum of 1 to 2 required in-person days each month. Travel and in-person attendance may be required for trials, court appearances, witness interviews, depositions, and operationally as needed. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements • A fingerprint check will be required. • Clearly indicated the Job Control Code (JC-532759) and the title of this position in the "Examination for Job Title(s) For Which You are Applying" section located on the first page of your State Applications. • Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at http://oag.ca.gov/careers/exams. • You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire. • Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations: DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: DAG/Attorney Examination DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III ExaminationDAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: • Dedication to consumer protection • Authentic interest in government employment • Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills • Working familiarity with principles of administrative and constitutional law, rules of evidence, and the administrative adjudication process set forth in the California Administrative Procedure Act (Gov.Code section 11340, et seq.) • Trial and oral advocacy experience, including experience conducting proceedings in administrative, trial and appellate courts • Ability to prepare and represent clients in administrative hearings and/or civil or criminal trials • Ability to effectively use or, where appropriate, learn to use computer and software technology, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and other software employed by Licensing, particularly in the context of remote hearings • Experience successfully negotiating settlement of actions informally and in mediation or settlement conferences • Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively manage a diverse caseload both independently and in collaboration with supervisors, colleagues, and clients • Ability to build and maintain good client relations and to interact positively and effectively with client representatives, subordinates, opposing parties and counsel, and all members of the Attorney General's Office The Licensing Section values having a team diverse in viewpoints and life experiences because it enhances the quality of our legal work, and ultimately allows us to best represent our clients.
Show full description and requirements

Job Description and Duties

The Licensing Section protects California consumers by representing over three dozen state licensing agencies in actions filed against licensed professionals. Matters include appeals from denials of licensure applications, prosecution of disciplinary actions against licensees, interim suspension and relief cases, license reinstatement cases, probation modification and termination cases, and injunctive proceedings against professional and vocational licensees and unlicensed individuals. The Licensing Section provides attorneys with opportunities to develop trial and oral advocacy skills, manage an independent caseload, and work with supportive, dedicated, and collaborative colleagues.

Duties include:

  • Handling all phases of complex, sensitive, and difficult administrative litigation matters generally before the Office of Administrative Hearings, most of which do not include significant discovery
  • Preparing for and representing client agencies in several administrative hearings each month
  • Handling civil judicial review proceedings in California superior courts that arise out of administrative litigation, including petitions for writ of administrative and ordinary mandate and interlocutory writs and appeals
  • Appearing on behalf of client agencies at the administrative, superior court, and appellate levels
  • Handling other complex civil matters, including subpoena enforcement and defense, and complaints filed against client agencies in state and federal courts
  • Collaborating with other deputies, paralegals, supervisors, and clients to develop and implement case strategy
  • Working with investigators to obtain and develop evidence
  • Advising client agencies on legal matters, including settlement options, expert and/or consultant needs, and strategy
  • Providing training to agency staff

All applicants must reside in California and be members in good standing of the California State Bar. This is a hybrid position with the opportunity to work remotely or in the office, with a minimum of 1 to 2 required in-person days each month. Travel and in-person attendance may be required for trials, court appearances, witness interviews, depositions, and operationally as needed.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

  • A fingerprint check will be required.
  • Clearly indicated the Job Control Code (JC-532759) and the title of this position in the "Examination for Job Title(s) For Which You are Applying" section located on the first page of your State Applications.
  • Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at http://oag.ca.gov/careers/exams.

  • You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.

  • Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:

    DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: DAG/Attorney Examination

    DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III ExaminationDAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
  • Dedication to consumer protection
  • Authentic interest in government employment
  • Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
  • Working familiarity with principles of administrative and constitutional law, rules of evidence, and the administrative adjudication process set forth in the California Administrative Procedure Act (Gov.Code section 11340, et seq.)
  • Trial and oral advocacy experience, including experience conducting proceedings in administrative, trial and appellate courts
  • Ability to prepare and represent clients in administrative hearings and/or civil or criminal trials
  • Ability to effectively use or, where appropriate, learn to use computer and software technology, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and other software employed by Licensing, particularly in the context of remote hearings
  • Experience successfully negotiating settlement of actions informally and in mediation or settlement conferences
  • Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively manage a diverse caseload both independently and in collaboration with supervisors, colleagues, and clients
  • Ability to build and maintain good client relations and to interact positively and effectively with client representatives, subordinates, opposing parties and counsel, and all members of the Attorney General's Office
The Licensing Section values having a team diverse in viewpoints and life experiences because it enhances the quality of our legal work, and ultimately allows us to best represent our clients.

About this opportunity

More jobs at this employer

Department of Justice currently has 57 other open positions in this database.

Regional hiring context

There are 52 current state openings in San Diego County, including this position.

Application timeline

Applications close in 9 days, on November 13, 2026.

Posting history

This posting appears on CalCareers. CA Public Jobs first observed it on September 30, 2026. It was last verified open on November 4, 2026.

View the official posting