OCERS
Overview
COUNTY COUNSEL ATTORNEY I, II, and III
Salary may be negotiable within the applicable range of the classification, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
Salary Information Attorney I - $46.49 up to $56.20 hourly
Attorney II - $54.37 up to $60.60 hourly
Attorney III - $62.22 up to $86.17 hourly
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to fill current and future Attorney I, Attorney II, and Attorney III positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.
Deadline to Apply This recruitment will close on Wednesday, December, 31, 2025 at 11:59PM (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
County Counsel The Office of County Counsel is charged with providing civil legal services to County government, including defending and prosecuting litigation, advising the Board of Supervisors, and providing opinions to County and district officers on matters pertaining to their duties. The Office, as provided by the Government Code, was created on September 16, 1941, by Ordinance No. 432. County Counsel acts as in-house counsel. The primary client is the Board of Supervisors, but all County officers and employees receive County Counsel's services. Legal services are also provided to some independent local public entities such as the Grand Jury and the Orange County Flood Control District. Legal services are not provided to individual citizens.
For more information about the County of Orange, general information is available from the Office of County Counsel.
The Opportunity The Office of the County Counsel has opportunities for County Counsel Attorney I, II, and III who will contribute to our mission of making Orange County a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work and play. We hire qualified candidates demonstrating a great attitude, integrity, talent, credentials, grit, and a passion for public service.
The Office is seeking attorneys with an interest or experience in civil, criminal and/or government law who are prepared to conduct hearings, try cases, examine witnesses, lodge evidentiary objections, and deliver oral arguments. Strong analytical skills and collaborative abilities are prerequisites. The immediate vacancy is for a trial deputy for Child Protection Team, which requires daily appearance in Juvenile Dependency Court to handle all aspects of the Social Services Agency (SSA) cases where abused and neglected children need immediate protection. Prior experience specifically in Child Dependency law, though helpful, is not a prerequisite.
Future opportunities may be available in the office’s various civil advisory and litigation services. Advisory attorneys provide legal guidance about government operations across areas such as environmental, constitutional, contract, privacy, real estate, child abuse, tax, election, transparency, and probate laws. The office also has a general litigation team that defends and prosecutes civil matters in Federal and State courts, and litigation teams focusing on juvenile dependency, mental health conservatorship, and probate proceedings.
Desirable Qualifications and Core Competencies The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal professional with extensive knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following core competencies:
TECHNICAL | TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
Understanding of civil legal procedure, including writs and appeals in State and Federal courts.
Understanding and application of California public law, including the Government Code, Penal Code, and Welfare & Institutions Code.
Preparing formal opinions; drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, conveyances; preparing pleadings; conducting legal litigation.
Representing clients in criminal or civil court proceedings, jury trials, depositions, and/or administrative hearings.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING | INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Working collaboratively with team members to achieve objectives.
Thriving in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
JUDGMENT | PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Identifying, evaluating, and resolving issues as they arise, using decision-making abilities and technical expertise.
Developing solutions, proposing solutions, achieving measurable results, and implementing best business practices.
Receiving complaints, evaluating evidence, and determining the justification for taking legal action.
Exercising discretion and independent judgment in performing job duties.
COMMUNICATION | ORAL AND WRITTEN SKILLS
Interacting effectively and tactfully with client agencies/departments, judges, and opposing counsel.
Maintaining strong oral advocacy skills in court proceedings, public meetings, and professional engagements.
Possessing strong writing skills and background in preparing briefs and other legal memoranda.
Writing formal opinions as to the legality of actions; drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, conveyances, and other legal documents.
Composing pleadings and other written communication in connection with lawsuits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
Minimum Qualifications Attorney I and Attorney II minimum qualifications are listed below; see the original job description for full details.
Attorney I
License Required : Active membership in the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in California. Applicants awaiting most recent California Bar Examination results may apply. Active membership and eligibility must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
AND
Possession of a California Class C Driver’s License or ability to use an alternative transportation method.
Experience: None Required
There is no permanent status in this classification. Incumbents who do not promote to Attorney II within one year from the date of appointment will be subject to termination of their Attorney I status and/or County employment.
Attorney II
License Required : Active membership in the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in California. Members in good standing with an inactive status are welcome to apply. Active membership must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
AND
Possession of a California Class C Driver’s License or the ability to use an alternative transportation method.
Experience: Twelve (12) months of experience as an attorney in civil, governmental, criminal or child support enforcement law or comparable experience.
There is no permanent status in this classification. Incumbents who do not promote to Attorney II within one year from the date of appointment will be subject to termination of their Attorney I status and/or County employment.
Attorney II
(I) - License and experience details follow similarly to above.
Recruitment Process
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials for minimum qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the next step. All applicants will be notified via email of their status.
Application-Appraisal Panel Assessment (Weighted 100%)
An Application Appraisal Panel (AAP) of job knowledge experts will screen and evaluate the application and supplemental questionnaire for knowledge, competencies, and related experience.
Eligible List
HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview for present and future vacancies.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County provides preferential consideration in the employment process to military veterans and eligible spouses. Please review the veterans policy for more information.
Email Notification
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Ensure your correct email address is included and use only one email account.
Note : User accounts are established for one person only. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize status in the recruitment process.
Candidates will be notified via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk, and update your profile at the public portal if your email address changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional FAQs are available in the recruitment section.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Kozai at (714) 834-7308 or michelle.kozai@ceo.oc.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Salary may be negotiable within the applicable range of the classification, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
Salary Information Attorney I - $46.49 up to $56.20 hourly
Attorney II - $54.37 up to $60.60 hourly
Attorney III - $62.22 up to $86.17 hourly
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to fill current and future Attorney I, Attorney II, and Attorney III positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.
Deadline to Apply This recruitment will close on Wednesday, December, 31, 2025 at 11:59PM (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
County Counsel The Office of County Counsel is charged with providing civil legal services to County government, including defending and prosecuting litigation, advising the Board of Supervisors, and providing opinions to County and district officers on matters pertaining to their duties. The Office, as provided by the Government Code, was created on September 16, 1941, by Ordinance No. 432. County Counsel acts as in-house counsel. The primary client is the Board of Supervisors, but all County officers and employees receive County Counsel's services. Legal services are also provided to some independent local public entities such as the Grand Jury and the Orange County Flood Control District. Legal services are not provided to individual citizens.
For more information about the County of Orange, general information is available from the Office of County Counsel.
The Opportunity The Office of the County Counsel has opportunities for County Counsel Attorney I, II, and III who will contribute to our mission of making Orange County a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work and play. We hire qualified candidates demonstrating a great attitude, integrity, talent, credentials, grit, and a passion for public service.
The Office is seeking attorneys with an interest or experience in civil, criminal and/or government law who are prepared to conduct hearings, try cases, examine witnesses, lodge evidentiary objections, and deliver oral arguments. Strong analytical skills and collaborative abilities are prerequisites. The immediate vacancy is for a trial deputy for Child Protection Team, which requires daily appearance in Juvenile Dependency Court to handle all aspects of the Social Services Agency (SSA) cases where abused and neglected children need immediate protection. Prior experience specifically in Child Dependency law, though helpful, is not a prerequisite.
Future opportunities may be available in the office’s various civil advisory and litigation services. Advisory attorneys provide legal guidance about government operations across areas such as environmental, constitutional, contract, privacy, real estate, child abuse, tax, election, transparency, and probate laws. The office also has a general litigation team that defends and prosecutes civil matters in Federal and State courts, and litigation teams focusing on juvenile dependency, mental health conservatorship, and probate proceedings.
Desirable Qualifications and Core Competencies The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal professional with extensive knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following core competencies:
TECHNICAL | TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
Understanding of civil legal procedure, including writs and appeals in State and Federal courts.
Understanding and application of California public law, including the Government Code, Penal Code, and Welfare & Institutions Code.
Preparing formal opinions; drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, conveyances; preparing pleadings; conducting legal litigation.
Representing clients in criminal or civil court proceedings, jury trials, depositions, and/or administrative hearings.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING | INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Working collaboratively with team members to achieve objectives.
Thriving in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
JUDGMENT | PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
Identifying, evaluating, and resolving issues as they arise, using decision-making abilities and technical expertise.
Developing solutions, proposing solutions, achieving measurable results, and implementing best business practices.
Receiving complaints, evaluating evidence, and determining the justification for taking legal action.
Exercising discretion and independent judgment in performing job duties.
COMMUNICATION | ORAL AND WRITTEN SKILLS
Interacting effectively and tactfully with client agencies/departments, judges, and opposing counsel.
Maintaining strong oral advocacy skills in court proceedings, public meetings, and professional engagements.
Possessing strong writing skills and background in preparing briefs and other legal memoranda.
Writing formal opinions as to the legality of actions; drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, conveyances, and other legal documents.
Composing pleadings and other written communication in connection with lawsuits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
Minimum Qualifications Attorney I and Attorney II minimum qualifications are listed below; see the original job description for full details.
Attorney I
License Required : Active membership in the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in California. Applicants awaiting most recent California Bar Examination results may apply. Active membership and eligibility must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
AND
Possession of a California Class C Driver’s License or ability to use an alternative transportation method.
Experience: None Required
There is no permanent status in this classification. Incumbents who do not promote to Attorney II within one year from the date of appointment will be subject to termination of their Attorney I status and/or County employment.
Attorney II
License Required : Active membership in the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in California. Members in good standing with an inactive status are welcome to apply. Active membership must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
AND
Possession of a California Class C Driver’s License or the ability to use an alternative transportation method.
Experience: Twelve (12) months of experience as an attorney in civil, governmental, criminal or child support enforcement law or comparable experience.
There is no permanent status in this classification. Incumbents who do not promote to Attorney II within one year from the date of appointment will be subject to termination of their Attorney I status and/or County employment.
Attorney II
(I) - License and experience details follow similarly to above.
Recruitment Process
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials for minimum qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the next step. All applicants will be notified via email of their status.
Application-Appraisal Panel Assessment (Weighted 100%)
An Application Appraisal Panel (AAP) of job knowledge experts will screen and evaluate the application and supplemental questionnaire for knowledge, competencies, and related experience.
Eligible List
HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview for present and future vacancies.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County provides preferential consideration in the employment process to military veterans and eligible spouses. Please review the veterans policy for more information.
Email Notification
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Ensure your correct email address is included and use only one email account.
Note : User accounts are established for one person only. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize status in the recruitment process.
Candidates will be notified via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk, and update your profile at the public portal if your email address changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional FAQs are available in the recruitment section.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Kozai at (714) 834-7308 or michelle.kozai@ceo.oc.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr