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Legislative Attorney Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Legislative Analyst

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$6.0K - $7.5K/mo

Legislative Analyst Classification: ANALYST II $6,031.00 - $7,547.00 A New to State candidates will ... For more information about the Department please visit the Attorney General's website at www.oag.ca ...

Staff Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$86.73 - $108.46/hr

The Staff Attorney will mentor law fellows and interns, empower immigrant communities through ... Advance NILC's administrative and legislative advocacy by providing legal analysis and technical ...

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Legislative Attorney information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$63.3K

$119.4K

How much do legislative attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for legislative attorney in California is $63,343.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,400.00 and $70,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a legislative attorney?

A Legislative Attorney is a legal professional who specializes in analyzing, drafting, and interpreting legislation for government bodies, lawmakers, and committees. They provide legal advice on the implications of proposed laws and help ensure that legislation complies with existing legal frameworks. Legislative Attorneys also conduct legal research, prepare written opinions, and may assist in the legislative process by testifying before committees or advising on policy issues. Their work is essential to the development of clear, effective, and lawful public policy.

What does a legislative attorney do?

As a legislative attorney, your job is to support a legislative body as they prepare reports, documents, and proposed materials. In this role, you may help determine whether or not a proposed bill complies with existing law and suggest solutions for any issues. You also ensure that the legislators follow the correct procedures throughout the process of creating laws. Legislative attorneys often write formal opinions examining the constitutionality, effect, or operation of a bill and provide these to others as necessary. The duties of this job can vary somewhat from area to area, but legislative attorneys almost always work directly for legislative bodies like city councils or state houses of representatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a legislative attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legislative Attorney, you need a law degree, bar admission, and expertise in legislative research, statutory interpretation, and legal writing. Familiarity with legislative tracking systems, legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and government document management tools is common. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for advising lawmakers and drafting legislation. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure accurate, legally sound, and actionable guidance in the fast-paced legislative environment.

How does a legislative attorney typically collaborate with policymakers and other stakeholders during the legislative process?

Legislative Attorneys work closely with lawmakers, legislative staff, and subject matter experts to draft, analyze, and refine proposed legislation. They often participate in meetings or committee hearings to provide legal advice, explain the implications of legal language, and ensure proposed bills comply with state or federal laws. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as Legislative Attorneys must translate complex legal concepts into accessible language for non-lawyers and help build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

What is the difference between Legislative Attorney vs Legislative Analyst?

AspectLegislative AttorneyLegislative Analyst
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission often preferredBachelor's or master's degree in political science, public policy, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, government agencies, legislative bodiesLegislative offices, government agencies, policy research organizations
Employer & Industry UsageLegal departments within legislative bodies, government legal teamsLegislative offices, think tanks, policy analysis firms
Common Search & ComparisonLegal expertise, legislative process, policy reviewPolicy analysis, legislative research, data interpretation

While both roles work within the legislative environment, a Legislative Attorney primarily provides legal advice, drafts legislation, and ensures legal compliance. In contrast, a Legislative Analyst focuses on researching policies, analyzing legislative proposals, and supporting decision-making with data. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in legislative careers.

What are popular job titles related to Legislative Attorney jobs in California?

For Legislative Attorney jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Legislative Attorney jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Legislative Attorney jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Legislative Attorney jobs?

Cities in California with the most Legislative Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Legislative Attorney job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,343 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

Principal Deputy Legislative Counsel I

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Office of Legislative Counsel
Public Administration • 1 - 5K employees

$13K - $16K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

  • Assign, review, and approve drafts of proposed legislation, opinions, and/or letters to ensure work products meet the needs of the client, are technically and legally accurate, reflect the style and philosophy of the Legislative Counsel, and are timely.
  • Participate in planning and/or strategy meetings with attorneys to determine the best and most accurate approach to legal issues within the branch.
  • Perform supervisory duties over attorneys within the branch, including, but not limited to, evaluating the performance of attorneys throughout the year; providing ongoing written and oral feedback; developing training plans, performance expectations, and guidelines; and assisting attorneys with meeting their professional development goals. Provide guidance to attorneys as needed or requested, and assists attorneys with the more difficult and complex aspects of their work.
  • Work with other principals in the branch to assist with the planning, organization, coordination, and direction of the resources within the branch.
  • Provide oral or written opinions for, or informal oral legal advice or consultation to, Members of the Legislature, legislative staff, the Governor, and other clients or authorized persons on a variety of issues, including legislative rules and procedures, legislative proposals, existing law and legal precedent, and how to accomplish desired statutory goals.
  • Prepare difficult, complex, and sensitive elements of proposed legislation and provide assistance to attorneys preparing proposed legislation.
  • Appear before legislative committees to provide legal advice on existing law or pro posed legislation.
  • Act as back up to other legal managers and sup ervisors in their absence, and participate in agency-wide strategic planning and other efforts as requested or assigned.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • ATTORNEY SUPERVISOR
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-529504
Position #(s):
430-110-5749-XXX
Working Title:
Principal Deputy Legislative Counsel I
Classification:
ATTORNEY SUPERVISOR $13,975.00 - $16,900.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Work Shift:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Work Week:
Monday - Friday
Department Information
The Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) is a small civil service department whose mission is to provide responsive nonpartisan and confidential legal services and information technology support services to the California State Legislature and in support of the legislative process. This position is located in the heart of downtown Sacramento. The State of California provides excellent health benefits and retirement options, sick leave and vacation accrual, and paid state holidays. OLC employees are excluded from collective bargaining and, therefore, receive enhanced benefits and do not contribute fair share.
Special Requirements
Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your STD 678, resume, or school transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your social security number, birthdate, student identification number, driver license number (unless required), examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. (Note confidential information on the first page of the application submitted online through your CalCareers account will be redacted automatically upon submission.)
Examination and Employment Application (STD 678):
Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Failure to complete the STD. 678 in its entirety may result in disqualification.
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: 9/18/2026
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. 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:
Office of Legislative Counsel
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
925 L Street, Suite 900
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Office of Legislative Counsel
N/A
Human Resources
925 L Street, Suite 900
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 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 required and must be included.
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:
  • Experience supervising and/or leading staff, including attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and/or clerical staff.
  • Ability and desire to mentor, motivate, and develop staff, and identify and implement strategies for increased employee engagement and morale.
  • Ability to participate and function effectively as a member of a diverse leadership team comprised of peers, management, and support staff management.
  • Experience researching, writing, and/or reviewing legal opinions or legal advice regarding the legality or constitutionality of laws, bills, or regulations; developing, drafting, interpreting, and/or reviewing constitutional, statutory, or regulatory language for legislative bodies or other governmental entities; making decisions on complex, high profile, or sensitive legal matters; and ensuring drafts of proposed legislation or legal advice meet the needs of the client, are technically and legally accurate, reflect the style and philosophy of the office, and are timely.
  • Experience with and/or willingness to develop and implement department policies, practices, and procedures, and providing policy consultation to executives and management.
  • Knowledge of the scope and character of California statutory law, and state and federal constitutional law.
  • Knowledge of the rules, organization, and operation of the California State Legislature; goals, values, policies, and organization of the OLC; and practices of the OLC that govern drafting legislation, preparing opinions, and performing other legal services.
  • Ability to present statements of facts, law, and argument clearly, logically, and effectively in written and oral form.
  • Knowledge of legal principles and precedents and their application to difficult, complex, and novel legal problems.
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of effective supervision.
  • Ability to plan, organize, direct, and review the activities of legal staff; develop the skills and abilities of legal staff to ensure effective perform ance of their duties; and perform and direct legal research and difficult legislative drafting.
  • Ability to analyze situations accurately and take effective action while appropriately applying office policies.

Benefits
All OLC employees are excluded from collective bargaining, and therefore, receive enhanced benefits, such as CoBen benefit allowance, employer paid life insurance, additional vacation/annual leave, and are not subject to State Disability Insurance payroll withholding. Additional information can be found on CalHR's website under State Employee Benefits and Programs .
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Human Resources Contact:
OLC Human Resources
(916) 341-8330
OLC.HumanResources@lc.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:
OLC Human Resources
(916) 341-8330
OLC.HumanResources@lc.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.
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. 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.