Capital Appellate Attorney
Special Requirements
The position(s) requires an Active membership in the California State Bar. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.
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: 3/2/2026Who 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 the State Public Defender
Human Resources
Attn: Human Recourses - TM
770 L Street, Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Office of the State Public Defender
Human Resources
Human Recourses - TM
770 L Street, Suite 1000
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Statement of Qualifications - Please see the "Statement of Qualifications" section for instructions.
Other - Legal Writing Sample - Please submit a legal writing sample that includes a substantive legal analysis. Your legal writing sample should be no longer than 10 pages single-spaced or 20 pages double-spaced with 12pt. font.
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.
Statement of Qualifications
Please provide detailed responses to the questions below; this can be in the form of a cover letter. Your response must be single-spaced, written in narrative form, and no longer than 2 pages. The SOQ also serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.
Why do you want to work at the Office of the State Public Defender?
How does your experience or background contribute to your ability to litigate complex capital postconviction cases, including direct appeals and possibly Racial Justice Act habeas petitions?
Applicants who fail to submit an SOQ and Writing Sample will not be considered.
Attorney and Attorney III Examination
You must take and pass the Attorney or Attorney III examination to establish list eligibility:
Attorney III
Attorney
Attorney Leap
Please click the link in the Minimum Qualification section of this posting to determine which exam you should take based on your experience.