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Posted June 21, 2026

Deputy County Counsel I-IV

County of Riverside
Riverside, CA Full Time
Compensation: $90,001 to $214,947 Annually
Reference: CountyofRiverside5163395
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Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately to receive priority consideration.

Recruitment will remain open until position is filled.

The County of Riverside’s Office of the County Counsel has an opportunity for a Deputy County Counsel (I – IV) to support their Health & Adult Welfare Division (HAWD) working with RUHS Behavioral Health - Public Guardian.

As a team member working under general supervision, the Attorney will offer litigation and general advisory services, representing RUHS Behavioral Health-Public Guardian.

The ideal candidate will possess relevant experience with laws involving mental health, California, and Federal privacy and confidentiality rights governing health information and public social services. A proven ability to perform litigation and provide legal advice in a collaborative environment is necessary.

The level at which this position is offered is at the department's discretion.

Advancement:
Promotion to the Deputy County Counsel II, III, and IV levels is through a non-competitive process and based on demonstrated ability, satisfaction of the experience requirement and an overall meets expectation rating on the annual performance evaluation.

Schedule:
A 9/80 with hybrid options after the training period and at the department's discretion.

All Assignments:
Applicants must be an active member in good standing with the California State Bar.

Meet the Team!
The Office of County Counsel is a full-service law office that provides advisory and litigation support on issues of vital concern to the County and its residents such as health care, public safety, child welfare, land development, environmental protection, public finance, taxation and elections.


• Provide guidance and advice to Deputy County Counsel attorneys, Supervisors, and Chief Deputies in matters of law and trial tactics, legal research, preparation of legal briefs and opinions, completing mediations, and trial and appellate practices.

• Provide responsive, high-quality service to County employees and representatives of RUHS Behavioral Health – Public Guardian by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient and timely manner, and may interact with members of the public.

• Consult with subordinate Deputies and Paralegals on points of law, evidence, legal procedures and policies, and practices of the County Counsel's Office; counsel and provide recommendations to subordinate Deputies and Paralegals on more difficult and complex legal problems.

• Represent the County in all state and federal courts and before administrative hearing bodies.

• Study and interpret laws, court decisions, ordinances, and other legal authorities.

• Draft written opinions and render informal opinions on legal questions; prepare correspondence and pleadings; handle percipient witness and expert testimony; prepare written discovery; prepare pretrial motions and settlement conferences; first or second chair trials as needed.

• Analyze, research and resolve difficult and complex legal problems.

• Prepare, present and manage difficult to complex trial and appellate cases under minimal to moderate supervision depending upon level of experience.

DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL I ($90,000.00 -$114,599.00 Annually)

Experience: None

DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL II ($107,048.00 - $138,938.00Annually)

OPTION I
Experience: One year at the Deputy County Counsel I level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city.
OPTION II
Experience: Two years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments.
OPTION III
Experience: Two years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities.
OPTION IV
Experience: Two years in the practice of criminal law.

DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL III ($137,000.00 - $179,579.00 Annually)

OPTION I
Experience: One year at the Deputy County Counsel II level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city.
OPTION II
Experience: Three years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments.
OPTION III
Experience: Three years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities.
OPTION IV
Experience: Three years in the practice of criminal law.

DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL IV ($144,125.00 - $214,964.00 Annually)

OPTION I
Experience: One year at the Deputy County Counsel III level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city.

OPTION II
Experience: Four years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments.

OPTION III
Experience: Four years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities.

OPTION IV
Experience: Four years in the practice of criminal law

All Levels Require:
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required.

Membership: Active member in good standing with the California State Bar.

Job Competencies:
• Make sound and accurate decisions under pressure.
• Maintain an environment of teamwork and collaboration conducive to expanding knowledge and expertise.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms.
• Persuasively communicate your findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences.
• Possess superior negotiation skills.
• Time management.
• Effectively maintain expertise in all areas of responsibility and seek opportunities to increase personal knowledge in areas of responsibility.
• Take independent actions after carefully analyzing and interpreting the associated risks.
• Customer focused, meeting obligations and commitments.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior and integrity even when challenged with highly stressful or crisis situations.
• Skillfully gain and maintain credibility with superiors, co-workers, public, and managers.
• Exhibit values and respect of others in all undertakings.
• Encourage creative problem solving, collaboration, and analysis techniques.
• Driven to excel, supportive of change and seeks continuous learning.
What’s Next? This recruitment is open to all applicants. Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Office of the County Counsel may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.

General Information
If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Angela Tavaglione at [email protected].
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at [email protected] or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

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