Deputy County Attorney II, III, IV - Unclassified

Full Job Description

Please note: On December 10, 2025, this recruitment was extended. The closing date is now January 12, 2026.

The County Attorney’s Office of the County of San Mateo is seeking a well-qualified candidate for the position of Deputy County Attorney II, III, or IV.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICEThe County Attorney’s Office (also referred to as the County Counsel’s Office) is the general counsel for the County of San Mateo and all its departments, as well as for many school districts and special districts.

As a large company might utilize its in-house counsel, our clients rely on our office for the full range of legal services, covering a broad spectrum of practice areas.

The office's more than 30 attorneys handle nearly all the County's civil litigation, including employment, contract, commercial, personal injury, probate matters, civil rights, child welfare, taxation, environmental law, labor standards enforcement, and impact litigation.

In addition, our attorneys provide the kind of day-to-day legal services expected from any in-house law office, including advice and counsel in areas such as health care, land use, real estate, social services, housing, public contracting, public finance, clean energy, child welfare, probate, construction and privacy law.

We also provide legal counsel to many of the school districts in the county, as well as the County Office of Education, with respect to both general education and special education issues.

As public law attorneys, our work covers a wide array of policy matters that impact the 764,000 residents of San Mateo County, allowing our clients to further the public interest.

THE POSITIONThe position will be hired at the Deputy County Attorney II, III or IV level, depending on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The starting salary ranges from $170,726.40 to $300,393.60 annually depending upon level, but the job description and duties remain the same.

Qualifications

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• A demonstrated history of hard work, dedication, and academic excellence.
• Ability to prioritize and manage several simultaneous projects under deadlines.
• Flexibility and eagerness to learn.
• Self-motivation and willingness to take ownership of any matter.
• Ability to work well with others and willingness to pitch in and help colleagues.
• Exceptional legal research and writing skills.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues to judges, arbitrators, a diverse range of clients, and, occasionally, members of the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with clients.
• Impeccable ethics and professionalism.

Additional Information

All applications containing the required materials are reviewed and, typically, multiple rounds of oral interviews are conducted with selected applicants. Selection of candidates for the positions will be made following oral interviews and reference checks.

Please combine the application materials into one PDF file and submit to: CC_Applications@smcgov.org

Applicants must provide the following:

• Resume, including educational and employment history, bar admission(s), listing bar number and dates of admission, scholastic and professional honors, and publications.
• One Writing Sample (preferably a substantive legal pleading or memorandum) not to exceed 20 pages in length.
• List of references, including at least one supervisor from the last two years and one peer attorney or client who has worked extensively with you.
• Cover Letter and/or attachment addressing the following:
  1. Why are you seeking a position with the Office of the County Attorney? What aspects of our practice are of specific interest to you?
  2. What are your short-term and long-range goals regarding the practice of law?
  3. What is the general nature of your current practice?
  4. Summarize any experience you may have practicing on behalf of public entities over the last five years.
  5. Summarize your experience in court, administrative hearings, and/or arbitrations over the last five years.
  6. Describe the non-litigation aspects of your practice that may be relevant to this position.
  7. Please provide the name of your supervisor for each legal position held and indicate whether we may contact them at this time. If so, please provide their preferred contact information.
  8. Indicate whether you have ever been fired, or resigned after being requested to do so? If so, please explain.
  9. Please tell us how you learned of this opening.

All application materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on January 12, 2026. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITSGeneral Information: Benefits include health, vision, and dental plans, as well as vacation, sick leave, and administrative/management leave time. Other Benefits Include:

• Employee Health and Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dependent Care Assistance Plan
• Voluntary Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Continuation of Coverage Program
• Basic and Additional Life Insurance
• Deferred Comp Plan
• Payment of State Bar Dues
• Payment of San Mateo County Bar Dues

Additional information concerning all of the available employee benefits may be obtained in the 2026 Active Employee Benefits Guide and the 2026 Retiree Benefits Overview.

Additional information regarding benefits and terms and conditions of employment specific to Attorneys occupying regular positions, can be found in the Resolution Establishing the Salary and Benefits of Unrepresented Attorney Employees.

The County of San Mateo is an Equal Opportunity Employer