1

Temp Attorney Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

... temporary living expenses. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future ... Attorney I - No experience required Attorney II - Two years of criminal law, or one year in a ...

Deputy Public Defender

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$67.30 - $114.44/hr

... temporary) Deputy Public Defender position can be filled at the I, II, III, or IV level, depending on the candidate's qualifications. As attorneys gain experience and meet or exceed performance ...

Temp Attorney information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$44.3K

$107.5K

$209.9K

How much do temp attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for temp attorney in Santa Rosa, CA is $107,508.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $131,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Temp Attorneys face when joining new legal teams on short notice?

Temp Attorneys often encounter the challenge of quickly acclimating to new workplace cultures and workflows. They must rapidly understand ongoing cases, familiarize themselves with firm protocols, and build rapport with permanent staff, all while meeting tight deadlines. Success in this role requires adaptability, excellent communication, and strong organizational skills. Many temp roles offer a dynamic environment with opportunities to gain diverse legal experience and expand professional networks.

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

To thrive as a Temp Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor degree, active bar membership, and strong legal research and writing skills. Familiarity with document review platforms (like Relativity or Concordance), e-discovery tools, and case management systems is typically required. Excellent attention to detail, adaptability, and effective communication are vital soft skills for success in temporary legal assignments. These skills and qualifications ensure high-quality legal work, efficient project completion, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with new teams and processes.

What are temp attorneys?

Temp attorneys, also known as temporary or contract attorneys, are legal professionals hired for a limited period to assist with specific projects or to manage increased workloads. They often work on tasks such as document review, legal research, or supporting litigation teams during peak times. Temp attorneys may be employed directly by law firms, corporations, or through staffing agencies, and their assignments can range from a few days to several months. This role offers flexibility for attorneys and allows employers to efficiently manage fluctuating legal demands.

What is the difference between Temp Attorney vs Contract Attorney?

AspectTemp AttorneyContract Attorney
CredentialsJ.D. degree, licensed attorneyJ.D. degree, licensed attorney
Work EnvironmentTemporary assignments at law firms or corporationsProject-based work, often remote or on-site
Employer UsageLaw firms, legal departments hiring short-term supportLaw firms, corporate legal teams for specific cases
Search IntentTemporary legal staffing, short-term legal workProject-specific legal work, freelance legal assignments

Both Temp Attorneys and Contract Attorneys are licensed lawyers hired for specific legal tasks. Temp Attorneys typically work on short-term assignments through staffing agencies, often filling in for absent staff. Contract Attorneys usually work on specific projects or cases, often remotely, providing specialized legal services. While their roles overlap, Temp Attorneys are more associated with temporary staffing, whereas Contract Attorneys focus on project-based work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Temp Attorney jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Temp Attorney job openings:

Deputy District Attorney I/II/III

Napa County, CA

Napa, CA • On-site

$119K - $208K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Salary : $119,974.40 - $208,728.00 Annually
Location : DA's Office - 1250 Main Street, Ste. 300 Napa, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 1038-2026-07-14
Department: District Attorney
Opening Date: 07/14/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
The Napa Valley
Napa County is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage.
Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities.
The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.
Napa County as an Employer
As an organization, Napa County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. .
The Position
The District Attorney's Office is currently seeking an attorney to join our team. The difference in levels depends on the amount and type of experience. Employees beginning at the Attorney I level will perform the less difficult cases and assignments while learning their respective duties and responsibilities. As experience, knowledge, skills and abilities are acquired and utilized, the degree and complexity of assignments will correspondingly increase to the Attorney II and III levels. The Attorney III will handle the more difficult and complex assignments. The ideal candidate will be a person of integrity while possessing a passion for justice, a love of mercy, and an attitude of humility.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Attorney I ($57.68 - $69.07 hourly)
Education: Graduation from an accredited law school
Experience: None required.
License or Certificate*: Active membership in the California State Bar Association.
Attorney II ($69.92 - $83.91 hourly)
Education: Graduation from an accredited law school.
Experience: Two years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's Office or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney I equivalent in Napa County.
License or Certificate*: Active membership in the California State Bar Association
Attorney III ($83.52 - $100.35 hourly)
Education: Graduation from an accredited law school.
Experience: Three years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney II equivalent in Napa County.
License or Certificate*: Active membership in the California State Bar Association
*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e., active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
Winter Time Off (WTO):
  • 32.0 hours of paid Winter Time Off (WTO)

ADDITIONAL PAY INCENTIVES FOR DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY III
HIRING BONUS: Applicants appointed to the position of Deputy District Attorney III will receive a one-time signing bonus of $15,000; 50% will be paid within 3 pay periods of the employee's first day of employment and the remaining 50% will be paid upon successful completion of probation period.
LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM: Applicants appointed to the position of Deputy District Attorney III who attended a Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions accredited school and received an Associate's or Bachelor's degree consisting of a minimum of 60 credits/units are eligible to receive a payment up to $20,000 (or $30,000 if certified and receiving a bilingual differential) towards a student loan in good standing (i.e., not in default). Loans must be existing loans, which the employee can prove they held as of their hire date and borrowed while attending the accredited institution during the time the degree was earned. All payments shall be made directly to the student loan lender once appropriate verifications have been made. In order to be eligible for loan forgiveness, the employee must complete five (5) years of satisfactory service with Napa County, without break in service.
RELOCATION REIMBURSEMENT: Applicants appointed to the position of Deputy District Attorney III are eligible for relocation reimbursement with a maximum of $10,000 for intrastate and a maximum of $15,000 for interstate, with a maximum of $5,000 of that amount being allocated for temporary living expenses.
The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year. The department may choose to fill the vacancy at any level, depending on the qualifications of the candidate pool.
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
This is a continuous recruitment, and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. This recruitment may close once a sufficient number of qualifying applications have been received.
1. Applications will be accepted online until the current vacancy is filled.
2. Applications will be reviewed for verification of possession of one of the required licenses and supplemental questions reviewed as they are received until the current vacancy is filled.
3. The most qualified candidates from scoring the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview on a continuous basis until the current vacancy is filled. The most qualified candidates from the oral panel interview will be placed on the eligibility list for up to twelve months.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.
Example of Duties
Click below to view the full job description, including the examples of duties:, ,
Benefits.
ADA AccommodationApplicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.
Disaster Service Worker
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experience emergencies (earthquakes, wildfire, power outage, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (Cal. Gov. Code § 3101.)
Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
PUBLIC SERVICES EMPLOYEES BENEFITS INFORMATION
SALARY -
Salaries are based on a five-step range. Appointments are usually made at the beginning step with advances occurring at six months and the completion of each year thereafter. Salary rates are reviewed annually.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INFO -
Click here for additional benefits information for Public Services Employees:
THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO EXTRA HELP POSITIONS
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
PHYSICAL STANDARDS -
Certain designated County positions require a candidate to pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.
FINGERPRINTING -
All employees hired into allocated positions or extra help positions will be fingerprinted.
SELECTION PROCESS -
FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The selection process will include an oral board interview, psychological assessment, background investigation, and a pre-employment physical exam.
01
Instructions for Supplemental Application Questions. The following questions comprise one of the steps in the selection process for this position and are intended to assist you in presenting your qualifications. Only the information you provide in your answers to these questions will be evaluated and scored to determine the best qualified candidates to continue in the selection process for this position. Please be complete and specific in answering the questions as your score will be based on this information. Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated. Although your experience and education should relate back to your application, your application and or resume will not be reviewed when scoring the supplemental questions. Therefore, please be as detailed as possible in your responses to the supplemental questions. I have read and understand the instructions presented above.
  • Yes
  • No

02
Based on the experience requirements below, please select which position you are applying for (select only one):Attorney I - No experience requiredAttorney II - Two years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's Office or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney I equivalent in Napa County.Attorney III - Three years of criminal law, or one year in a District Attorney's or Public Defender's Office as an Attorney II equivalent in Napa County.
  • Attorney I
  • Attorney II
  • Attorney III

03
What academic, professional, and/or clerkship experience do you possess which you believe will enhance your ability to serve as a prosecutor?
04
While previous legal experience is not required at the Attorney I level, it is highly desirable for this position. Therefore, please describe any previous experience you have in preparing and drafting criminal complaints, indictments, information, motions, briefs, and prosecution and/or defense of preliminary hearings and/or jury trials.
05
For consideration at the Attorney II or Attorney III level, candidates also need to respond to this question. Describe your criminal prosecution experience including length of time you served as a prosecutor, what assignments you have handled in your career, number of jury trials and a brief description and results of your most significant five cases. Please include the scope of responsibilities within each assignment.
Required Question