Deputy County Counsel – Exempt

The Contra Costa County Counsel’s Office offers an exciting career opportunity for attorneys interested in public service. The office is recruiting for three attorneys to serve as Deputy County Counsels – Exempt: one to serve in the General Law Division, and two to serve in the Juvenile Dependency/Conservatorship Division.

Our office has a collegial working environment and offers opportunities for professional growth. We engage in high-profile, complex, intellectually challenging, and meaningful legal work, while encouraging a work-life balance. We seek to hire attorneys who:

• Are able to research, analyze, and present complex legal issues clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing
• Think strategically and exercise exceptional professional judgment
• Are able to develop positive, long-term working relationships with clients and colleagues
• Are committed to maintaining a collegial and supportive office culture
• Have a strong commitment to public service
• Maintain high standards of professional ethics and personal integrity

If you possess these attributes and the qualifications for any of our open positions, we encourage you to apply.

Applicants for this position should highlight their training and experience in one or more of the following areas: general civil litigation, including civil writ matters; dependency proceedings; and conservatorship proceedings. 

Current Attorney Salaries and Benefits 

These openings may be filled at any level step on the salary range appropriate to qualifications and experience:

• Basic Level, Deputy County Counsel - Basic - Exempt ($11,258.33-$13,382.62 monthly)
• Standard Level, Deputy County Counsel - Standard - Exempt ($13,723.85-$16,313.35 monthly)
• Advanced Level, Deputy County Counsel - Advanced - Exempt ($16,729.31-$19,885.89 monthly)

Attorney salaries are set to increase by five percent on July 1, 2025. Full-time regular attorneys also receive generous County benefits, which currently include:

• Annual leave accruals of three weeks of vacation leave (to start), 24 hours of floating holiday leave, and 96 hours of sick leave
• Up to 94 hours of management leave annually (currently granted in January of each year)
• 11 paid County holidays (annually)
• A choice of health, dental, and vision plans with a significant employer contribution toward the cost of premiums for employees and any dependents
• A defined benefit pension through the Contra Costa County Employees Retirement Association, subject to vesting and other requirements
• The option to participate in a 457(b) deferred compensation plan with eligibility for an employer contribution after meeting eligibility requirements
• Longevity salary increases after 10 years of County service
• An annual allowance that can be used for continuing education, conferences, and membership dues, subject to the County Counsel’s approval
• Reimbursement of State Bar dues

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Candidates must possess a valid California motor vehicle operator's license. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Registration: Active member of the State Bar of California

Experience:

• Basic Exempt Level:  One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing attorney.

• Standard Exempt Level:  Two (2) years of full-time experience as a practicing attorney.
• Advanced Exempt Level:  Four (4) years of full-time experience as a practicing attorney.

Selection Process

** Please submit the following information to apply@cc.cccounty.us **
Place Deputy County Counsel in the subject line of the e-mail.

• Resume
  • Your resume should include:
    • State Bar of California membership number and admission date
    • Undergraduate college/university and graduation date
    • Law school and graduation date
    • Work experience, including job titles, duties, and employment dates
• TWO writing samples only
  • Preferably a substantive pleading (up to 15 pages) and an advisory letter or memorandum (up to 5 pages). 
• List of professional references
  • Please indicate whether we may contact your current employer.
• A cover letter

• On separate sheets of paper (up to 4 pages) please provide answers to the following:

• • • Please summarize your experience, if any, providing legal counsel to public clients. Include the name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience, the scope of your duties and responsibilities, and the dates employed (MO/YR to MO/YR).

• • • Have you ever been fired or resigned after being requested to do so? Have you ever been sued by a client and/or disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics or unprofessional conduct by, or been the subject of a complaint to, any court, administrative agency, bar association, disciplinary committee, or other professional group? If so, please explain.
    • How would your colleagues and administrative support staff describe you?
    • Please describe your experience, if any, performing complex transactional work and/or handling litigation. Provide sufficient details about the scope of your related responsibilities to allow for a thorough evaluation of your experience.
    • Please describe the most significant and complex legal matter you have handled. Include the name of your employer at that time, a description of the matter, your role in the process, and the outcome.
    • As the primary attorney in a matter, please describe a difficult situation you encountered while working directly with a client. Include details about how you resolved the situation, and any lessons learned.
    • What book, short story, play, poem, or film has had a significant impact on you and why?
    • How did you first learn about this job opportunity?

This is an exempt recruitment, which means candidates are not guaranteed an interview. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to a hiring interview. Candidates invited to the interview may be asked questions in areas such as training and experience relevant to the position, and the knowledge of and ability to apply legal principles. References will be required.