Competition Unit Deputy Attorney General

The California Department of Justice is responsible for protecting and serving the People and interests of California. Among other things, we represent the People of California in civil and criminal matters before trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and Supreme Courts of California and the United States, and serve as legal counsel to state officers, and most state agencies. Highlighting the importance of these functions are developments at the federal and state level in health care, which can or have adversely impacted California. A high number of candidates may make applications for this position, so make sure to send your CV and application through as soon as possible. The Competition Unit of the Healthcare Rights and Access Section conducts all antitrust and other competition-related legal work that impacts the healthcare and pharmaceutical markets and consumers in California. The Competition Unit investigates and enforces California's antitrust and unfair competition laws as well as federal antitrust laws as they might impact the affordability, accessibility, availability, and quality of healthcare services and pharmaceutical products. Typical matters include investigation and litigation over collusive pay-for-delay agreements between pharmaceutical companies, review of proposed mergers of hospitals, healthcare providers, or drug companies in consolidated markets, antitrust cases against hospital systems using anticompetitive contracts and conduct to inflate pricing, and investigations of unusual market moves or pricing. These matters may also include reviewing and proposing legislation, commenting on regulations and guidelines, and other advocacy work. The Deputy Attorneys General (DAGs) work often in teams that handle this proactive healthcare work in the Attorney General's Office, including difficult and complex legal work related to investigations, trials, writs, and appeals on all antitrust and competition-related matters relating to healthcare, which require the highest level of independent judgment. They may also coordinate and facilitate communications with other state Attorney General's Offices and other federal and state government agencies working on similar issues. DAGs work under the direction of the Supervising Deputy Attorney General, the Senior Assistant Attorney General, the Chief Assistant Attorney General of the Public Rights Division, the Chief Deputy to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement . Working Conditions This is a hybrid position under current DOJ telework policy, that is subject to modification. The position provides the opportunity to work remotely or in-office most days, but some in-office attendance could be required. Travel and additional in-person attendance may be required for court appearances, meetings, or other occasional operational needs. Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V Additional Documents Job Application Package Checklist Duty Statement Position Details Job Code #: JC-499566 Position #(s): 42 XXX Working Title: Competition Unit Deputy Attorney General Classification: DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable. Shall Consider: DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL $7,969.00 - $12,026.00 DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III $10,852.00 - $15,325.00 DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V $12,659.00 - $16,883.00 # of Positions: 2 Work Location: United States Telework: Hybrid Job Type: Permanent, Full Time Work Week: Monday-Friday Department Information This position is located in the Public Rights Division, Healthcare Rights and Access Section and may be filled in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Please clearly indicate your preferred city or cities in your cover letter. The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a "Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary ( Hiring Above Minimum Policy ). The starting salary for each classification will be: Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,846 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,956 Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046 Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313 Deputy Attorney General V (Lateral): 14,051 New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications. Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility. For more information about the Department of Justice, please visit the Attorney General's website at . If you'd like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email . Please visit our webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General . Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR . Special Requirements A fingerprint check will be required. Clearly indicate the Job Control Code ( JC-499566 ) and the title of this position in the "Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying" section located on the first page of your State Application. DAG V - Lateral transfers only 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: Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations: Attorney exam - less than 5 years of experience: Attorney Examination DAG III exam- at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination DAG IV exam- at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application. Final Filing Date: 12/15/2025 Who May Apply Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s). How To Apply Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below: Address for Mailing Application Packages You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to: Department of Justice OHR-Nicole Farrah Attn: Nicole Farrah (JC-499566) 1300 I Street, 7th Floor Sacramento , CA 95814 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at: Department of Justice OHR-Nicole Farrah Nicole Farrah (JC-499566) 1300 I Street, 7th Floor Sacramento , CA 95814 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM Required Application Package Documents The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position. Resume is required and must be included. Other - Cover letter. Other - A writing sample consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief is required. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting. 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: Highly competitive candidates should have significant experience working on matters involving the investigation and/or prosecution of antitrust or consumer protection matters, either for a government agency, for private plaintiffs, or for defendants, with matters involving healthcare being desired. A background in, or understanding of, economics, healthcare, and industrial organization, is a plus. They also should have experience and proven skill as a trial and/or appellate advocate, including demonstrated knowledge of trial and/or appellate procedure and strategy in civil and/or administrative law cases; the ability to identify quickly and to describe succinctly, orally and in writing, the salient legal issues in potentially complex government investigations, litigation, and/or administrative proceedings, especially those involving healthcare, antitrust, mergers, and/or consumer protection; and the ability to work closely in a team, or the ability to manage a team, with the ability to work effectively with Section employees in all areas. Ideal candidates should have initiative and an excellent work ethic; strong interest in and demonstrated aptitude for handling complex, high-profile litigation, often on an abbreviated schedule and of a sensitive nature; innovative thinking; strong research, computer literacy, investigatory, analytical, and writing skills; excellent public speaking and communication skills; and judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters. Strong candidates will exhibit the ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines; prioritize tasks and projects; maintain professionalism under pressure; work independently and as a team member; and self-educate when confronted by complex and multidimensional problems. Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. Contact Information The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process. Human Resources Contact: Nicole Farrah (916) 210-7259 Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office. EEO Contact: EEO Officer (916) 210-7580 California Relay Service: 1-8 TTY), 1-8 Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device. Additional Application Filing Information Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date. If you are mailing your application, as a courtesy we ask that you contact the HR Consultant listed to confirm your application has been received. This is not required, but highly encouraged so we can ensure the timely submission of your application. Equal Opportunity Employer The State of California 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. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. xhmxlyz Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.