Staff Attorney – Labor & Employment (Public Safety)
Make an Impact Where It Matters Most
Are you an attorney who wants more than a desk job? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy real hearing experience, and want your work to directly support the men and women who protect California’s communities?
Under the direction of the Supervising Counsel and Chief Counsel, this role offers a unique opportunity to serve as trusted legal counsel to CCPOA members. You will be representing California peace officers in labor, employment, and disciplinary matters across the state.
This position is ideal for an attorney seeking hands on client interaction, a mix of field and office work and broad exposure to public sector employee side labor law.
Why This Role Is Exciting
As a Staff Attorney, you’ll gain comprehensive experience in nearly every facet of public-sector labor and employment law, including:
- Representing peace officers during:
- Internal Affairs interviews;
- Skelly hearings; and
- State Personnel Board hearings
- Administrative hearings before state agencies
- Practice before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
- Union representation and labor-management relations
- Participation in critical incident investigations, including officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths
- Litigation in California state and federal courts
You will engage in impactful, real-world legal work that combines responsibility, variety, and meaningful purpose.
What You’ll Do
You will serve as a frontline advocate for CCPOA members, including:
- Acting as legal counsel in litigation, administrative hearings, arbitrations, and investigations
- Preparing pleadings, motions, grievances, and legal opinions
- Developing trial/hearing strategies, prepare expert and other witnesses
- Conducting legal research and analyzing statutory, regulatory, and case law developments
- Interviewing witnesses and evaluating evidence
- Managing a personal caseload and maintaining accurate calendars and deadlines
- Communicating regularly with clients, supervisors, experts and CCPOA leadership
- Assisting with collective bargaining and legislative/regulatory analysis
- Participating in arbitration strategy and legal recommendations
- Ability and willingness to travel on short notice, sometimes at night or weekends, to various locations and prisons throughout California. Most trips/representational matters are not overnight.
This role is perfect for an attorney who enjoys mobility, autonomy, and hands-on advocacy, rather than sitting behind a desk every day.
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Admission to the California State Bar (preferably with 3+ years of experience)
- Valid California driver’s license
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and obtain a CDCR Contractor Identification Card
- Working knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, and Westlaw
Professional Expectations:
- Strong ethical judgment and adherence to California State Bar rules
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
- Professional demeanor with clients, opposing counsel, courts, and staff
- Willingness to travel, including occasional nights and weekends
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and sit for extended periods while traveling or working
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Scale:
$97,546 – $204,668 annually (DOE)
Benefits Include:
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- 401(k)
- Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off
Work Location
Onsite / In-Person
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following to jobs.hiring@ccpoa.org:
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
- Writing Sample
