Staff Attorney III
Merced Superior Court
Merced, CA
Full-time
Legal
Posted on June 19, 2019
DEFINITION:
Under general direction, this professional level position coordinates the work activities of the other staff attorneys and performs difficult and complex legal research activities on behalf of the court by examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations for resolving issues before the court. The incumbent will conduct ex parte hearings and related matters, status review conferences, and serve, as directed, as a temporary judge.
EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL:
The Court Staff Attorney III classification is established as an at-will position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the direction of the Court Executive Officer. The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in the position of Court Staff Attorney III at any time, with or without advance notice or cause.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the advanced journey/lead worker level of the Attorney series. Incumbents may be assigned to provide highly complex work involving general research or specialties such as family law, self-help centers, or probate. Incumbents may also serve as lead workers, assigning, coordinating and monitoring the work of Attorneys and other legal staff. This class is distinguished from the lower level Attorney class in that incumbents perform more complex legal research work, demanding a higher degree of resourcefulness and knowledge.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
1. Coordinates work activities of other staff attorneys as directed; which may include training, evaluating, and providing work assignments to other staff attorneys
2. Assist staff with more difficult cases
3. Meets regularly with judges to obtain information regarding operational problems, developing practices and procedures that effectively serve the bench
4. Review and summarize evidence, procedural history, and legal contentions on complex matters before the court
5. Identify and analyze factual and legal issues relevant to the disposition of matters. Research legal authorities
6. Brief judges (verbally and/or in writing) on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the court. Identify and discuss unresolved issues necessary for the disposition of matters, and formulate dispositions
7. Respond to judges inquiries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and hearings. Attend and assist at trials and hearings, conduct reviews of documents at the request of judges
8. Prepare pleadings, written legal reports, opinions, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings
9. May serve as legal adviser to the court judicial officers, staff, or judicial committees on specific difficult and complex matters before the court
10. May assist with the drafting of legislative measures and other legal work required by the court
11. Confer with counsel and other parties, conduct informal hearings, and review case files, legal documents and exhibits
12. Conduct ex parte hearings; approve ex parte orders/applications
13. Conduct status review conferences in civil matters
14. Respond to citizen complaints
15. Serve as Courts Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Representative by reviewing rules, policies, etc. and coordinating the implementation of the program and any changes
16. Serve, as needed, as a temporary judge, in compliance with the limits of California Rule of Court 880
17. Attend training as offered and/or directed; travel to off-site courts, as needed
18. Must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines
19. Must, at all times, demonstrate cooperative behavior with co-workers, and management
20. Follow Court Rules and Regulations, Safety Procedures and Court Code of Ethics
21. Maintain professional appearance and demeanor
22. Other duties as assigned
Supervisory Duties:
None
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Employment Standards
As applicable to assigned areas of responsibility
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Principles of civil and criminal law, trial procedure, and rules of evidence
Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research and writing
Principles of statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California
English Language Arts: correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Present facts and law and argue clearly and logically on behalf of the court, both verbally and in writing
Independently work
Must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or Court regulations.
Effective communication skills - verbal and written - in person, over the telephone and in writing with public, attorneys, co-workers, supervisors, managers, commissioners and judges.
Excellent organizational skills.
Computer proficiency.
Uphold judicial ethics.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, co-workers, supervisors, judges, commissioners, independent contractors and other management. Work effectively with and assist individuals of various ages and diverse cultural backgrounds.
Valid California Drivers License and court acceptable driving record, if vehicle used for court business.
Must successfully complete fingerprinting and Criminal Record Background Check.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education:
Graduation from an accredited law school
Experience:
Five (5) years of work experience as a practicing licensed attorney
Emphasis placed on civil experience
License, Certification and/or Special Requirements:
Active membership in the State Bar of California
A valid class C California drivers license may be required. The requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.
,DEFINITION:Under general direction, this professional level position coordinates the work activities of the other staff attorneys and performs difficult and complex legal research activities on behalf of the court by examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations for resolving issues before the court. The incumbent will conduct ex parte hearings and related matters, status review conferences, and serve, as directed, as a temporary judge.EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL:The Court Staff Attorney III classification is established as an at-will position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the direction of the Court Executive Officer. The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in the position of Court Staff Attorney III at any time, with or without advance notice or cause.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:This is the advanced journey/lead worker level of the Attorney series. Incumbents may be assigned to provide highly complex work involving general research or specialties such as family law, self-help centers, or probate. Incumbents may also serve as lead workers, assigning, coordinating and monitoring the work of Attorneys and other legal staff. This class is distinguished from the lower level Attorney class in that incumbents perform more complex legal research work, demanding a higher degree of resourcefulness and knowledge.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSThe following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. 1. Coordinates work activities of other staff attorneys as directed; which may include training, evaluating, and providing work assignments to other staff attorneys2. Assist staff with more difficult cases3. Meets regularly with judges to obtain information regarding operational problems, developing practices and procedures that effectively serve the bench4. Review and summarize evidence, procedural history, and legal contentions on complex matters before the court5. Identify and analyze factual and legal issues relevant to the disposition of matters. Research legal authorities6. Brief judges (verbally and/or in writing) on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the court. Identify and discuss unresolved issues necessary for the disposition of matters, and formulate dispositions7. Respond to judges inquiries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and hearings. Attend and assist at trials and hearings, conduct reviews of documents at the request of judges8. Prepare pleadings, written legal reports, opinions, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings9. May serve as legal adviser to the court judicial officers, staff, or judicial committees on specific difficult and complex matters before the court10. May assist with the drafting of legislative measures and other legal work required by the court11. Confer with counsel and other parties, conduct informal hearings, and review case files, legal documents and exhibits12. Conduct ex parte hearings; approve ex parte orders/applications13. Conduct status review conferences in civil matters14. Respond to citizen complaints15. Serve as Courts Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Representative by reviewing rules, policies, etc. and coordinating the implementation of the program and any changes16. Serve, as needed, as a temporary judge, in compliance with the limits of California Rule of Court 88017. Attend training as offered and/or directed; travel to off-site courts, as needed18. Must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines19. Must, at all times, demonstrate cooperative behavior with co-workers, and management20. Follow Court Rules and Regulations, Safety Procedures and Court Code of Ethics21. Maintain professional appearance and demeanor22. Other duties as assignedSupervisory Duties: NoneMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSNecessary Employment StandardsAs applicable to assigned areas of responsibilityKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Principles of civil and criminal law, trial procedure, and rules of evidence Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research and writing Principles of statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California English Language Arts: correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation Present facts and law and argue clearly and logically on behalf of the court, both verbally and in writing Independently work Must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines. Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or Court regulations. Effective communication skills - verbal and written - in person, over the telephone and in writing with public, attorneys, co-workers, supervisors, managers, commissioners and judges. Excellent organizational skills. Computer proficiency. Uphold judicial ethics. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, co-workers, supervisors, judges, commissioners, independent contractors and other management. Work effectively with and assist individuals of various ages and diverse cultural backgrounds. Valid California Drivers License and court acceptable driving record, if vehicle used for court business. Must successfully complete fingerprinting and Criminal Record Background Check.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREDEducation: Graduation from an accredited law schoolExperience: Five (5) years of work experience as a practicing licensed attorney Emphasis placed on civil experienceLicense, Certification and/or Special Requirements: Active membership in the State Bar of California A valid class C California drivers license may be required. The requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.