Graduate Legal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you looking to join a dynamic legal practice providing full-service support, advice, and representation to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)? The transportation sector touches all aspect of daily life and the economy in California and nationally. Caltrans is responsible for 50,000 lane miles of highway and employs 22,000 people throughout the state. To support such an extensive enterprise, Caltrans' Legal Division is compromised of five offices statewide, including its headquarters office near the State Capitol in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Under the close supervision of the Deputy Chief Counsel (DCC) and/or Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC), Attorney Supervisor and attorneys, the Graduate Legal Assistant provides legal and policy support, studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other authorities in the preparation of moderately difficult and/or complex cases, opinions, and briefs; prepares and presents cases for trial; and/or does a variety of transactional work.
Practice areas include Tort, Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation, Environmental Law,Employment, Construction Contract Disputes, Appellate Practice, in-house transactional work and more. Our attorneys represent the Department in State and Federal courts in all phases of litigation, including trial and appellate work. They also advise and assist the Department in delivering projects. Junior attorneys and Graduate Legal Assistants are assigned to a practice group and trained in all aspects of the practice. They are given early exposure to discovery and trial preparation as well as legal research and drafting pleadings. Mid-level attorneys are expected to handle all aspects of a case including taking and defending depositions, taking cases to trial as first or second chair counsel, and appellate work. All employees receive training in Department policies and practices along with continuing legal education.
The GLA classification is primarily designed to afford law school graduates, not yet licensed by the California State Bar Association, an introduction to the practice of law. This position is a catalyst to a career as an attorney in public service. This position provides the opportunity to work with a team of other GLAs who are also starting their legal careers. Upon passing the California State Bar Examination, the Graduate Legal Assistant may compete for a permanent position as Attorney.
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Graduate Legal Assistant exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.
https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G
https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI
Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.
PARF# 42-27-0003 / JC-523625
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Position located at 1120 N St Sacramento, Sacramento County.
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.
This is a Limited Term position which may be extended to 24 months or become permanent.
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans's evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee's designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• GRADUATE LEGAL ASSISTANT

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523625
Position #(s):
701-001-5797-XXX
Working Title:
Graduate Legal Assistant
Classification:
GRADUATE LEGAL ASSISTANT $5,227.00 - $6,238.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time
Department Information
Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Director's EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Director's EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

Current eligibility to take the California State Bar examination under the Business and Professions Code Sections 6060 and 6061. Persons in their last year of law school may compete in the examination but may not be appointed until they have eligibility to take the California State Bar examination. Incumbents must secure a valid license issued by the California State Bar Association within 24 months of an appointment or the employment may be terminated.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Here is a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
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: 7/17/2026
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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 Transportation
N/A
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
Certification Services MS-90
P O Box 168036
Sacramento , CA 95816-8036
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Transportation
Drop-Off Address
Caltrans DHR Contact
Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
1727 30th Street, MS 90
Sacramento , CA 95816
Closed on weekends and State holidays.
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 optional. It may be included, but is not 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:
• Knowledge of legal principles and their application, the use of legal reference works, and legal terms
• Ability to reason logically, analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with staff and the public at all levels
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills
• Experience drafting legal documents including memoranda
• Experience conducting oral advocacy (including through coursework)
• Experience conducting legal research
Benefits
Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
Ellaine Cupino
(916) 201-8424
ellaine.cupino@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jamie SooHoo
(916) 651-3512
jamie.soohoo@dot.ca.gov
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:
Caltrans EEO Office
(844) 368-3367
Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Important Application Instructions
The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-523625), PARF# 42-27-0003 and title of the position (Graduate Legal Assistant) must be included on the STD. 678 form.
Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Do not submit the "Equal Employment Opportunity" questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver's license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.
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.