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Form of workSalary : $105,788.80 - $135,054.40 Annually
Location : Monterey County, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 23/2010a/11MD
Department: Civil
Opening Date: 11/13/2023
Description
Monterey County Superior Court is accepting applications for Research Attorneys in the following departments:
-Probate
-Complex Civil
First consideration will be given to applications received on or before Sunday, December 17, at 10:00 P.M. After December 18, applications will be reviewed and considered on a competitive basis weekly until the position has been filled.
In order to be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit all of the following documents:
1. Application
2. Letter of Interest
3. Resume
4. Legal writing sample of 1 to 20 pages
Failure to post all required documents will automatically result in being eliminated from the recruitment.
After a thorough review, those candidates who best exhibit the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities in their application materials will be invited to continue the recruitment process, which may include:
1. Pre-Interview Skills Assessment / Written Exam and
2. Panel Interview(s).
The Research Attorney, under the direction of the Superior Court judges and the Superior Court Executive Officer, is responsible for performing high-quality and timely legal research and writing on behalf of the judicial officers; examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations in matters before the court.
Research Attorneys provide legal advice and counsel to the court in one or more of the following areas: criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, writs and appeals, and habeas petitions.
**Prior probate and/or complex civil experience is highly desirable for this position and will be given first consideration.**
Examples of Duties
Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work, and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
1. Provides written memoranda that reviews and summarizes evidence and procedural history, sets forth legal contentions, identifies and analyzes factual and legal issues, presents legal authorities, and makes recommendations to judicial officers.
2. Briefs judges on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the court, identifies and discusses unresolved issues necessary for disposition, and recommends dispositions.
3. Confers with and responds to judges' inquiries on procedural and substantive issues arising during trial and hearings.
4. Reviews pleadings, written legal reports, opinions, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
5. Drafts proposed decisions and orders for matters reviewed and/or taken under submission.
6. Reviews and analyzes court procedures and rules, prepares reports and recommendations regarding the impact of statutory changes.
7. May assist with planning, organizing and reviewing the work of legal interns.
8. Prepares memoranda, archives work products and performs online research.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications & Examples of Experience and Training
Education and Experience:
Completion of all coursework and obtaining a Juris Doctorate or Bachelor of Law degree from an accredited law school; active membership in the California State Bar in good standing, including maintaining compliance with mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements, and
Two or more years experience as a licensed attorney or other equivalent experience which demonstrates strong legal research and writing skills (e.g. law review, moot court, internships, clerkships, etc.) is required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough Knowledge of:
1. Legal principles and their application.
2. Legal research methods and techniques, both online (Westlaw and/or LexisNexis) and manual.
3. Using legal reference works including case law, statutory law and treatises.
4. Rules of evidence, court procedures and the conduct of court proceedings.
Working knowledge of:
One or more of the following areas: Civil, Family, Probate, Delinquency, Dependency, Writs and Appeals.
Skill and ability to:
1. Analyze difficult and complex legal problems and apply legal principles.;
2. Use excellent judgment, logic, and analytical skills in the review and analysis of legal documents and other legal research, and in the identification of central or secondary issues.
3. Clearly and logically present arguments, statements of facts and points of law, both orally and in writing.
4. Prepare clear and comprehensive correspondence, reports and memoranda, and conform case work-ups to individual judicial preferences.
5. Adapt to a changing schedule while adhering to court deadlines.
6. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
7. Coordinate assigned work with judicial officers, support and administrative staff.
8. Work independently with minimal supervision.
9. Learn new areas of law.
10. Analyze and plan projects.
11. Use a computer and case management programs.
Other Information
Required Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment, the incumbent will be required to:
1. Successfully pass a background investigation;
2. Possess a valid current California class C license, (or) the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation approved by the hiring authority.
3. Applicants must have a reputation for honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. Convictions, depending upon the type, number and date, may be disqualifying.
4. Not make false statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.
The Superior Court of California, County of Monterey offers a comprehensive benefits program including:
01
Applicants for this position must submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will provide additional information about your background and experience related to this position and considered in the selection process. Please be concise and specific with your responses. Completeness, neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.
02
Are you a graduate of an accredited law school?
03
Are you a current active member of the California State Bar in good standing?
04
If you are an active member of the California State Bar, please enter your bar number.
05
Please mark your experience level(check as many as apply)
06
Please indicate your experience with legal analysis and/or law and motions for any of the following litigations types below (check all that apply)
07
Please describe your experience in the litigation types you selected in questions # 5 and # 6 above
08
Please submit a law-related writing sample(e.g., a brief, motion, legal memorandum, etc.) between 1 to 20 pages that you have prepared in the past 12 months. Remove any personally identifiable information from your writing sample. Substitute your primary phone number in place of your name.To submit your writing sample, please use one of the following methods:*Attach it to your online application*Email to: courtjobs@monterey.courts.ca.govFor your application to be complete, your letter of interest, resume and the writing sample must be attached to your online application or otherwise submitted and received by the Human Resources office by the closing date and time. An incomplete application may not be considered for employment. Please mark yes if you have read and understood this statement.
Required Question
Location : Monterey County, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 23/2010a/11MD
Department: Civil
Opening Date: 11/13/2023
Description
Monterey County Superior Court is accepting applications for Research Attorneys in the following departments:
-Probate
-Complex Civil
First consideration will be given to applications received on or before Sunday, December 17, at 10:00 P.M. After December 18, applications will be reviewed and considered on a competitive basis weekly until the position has been filled.
In order to be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit all of the following documents:
1. Application
2. Letter of Interest
3. Resume
4. Legal writing sample of 1 to 20 pages
Failure to post all required documents will automatically result in being eliminated from the recruitment.
After a thorough review, those candidates who best exhibit the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities in their application materials will be invited to continue the recruitment process, which may include:
1. Pre-Interview Skills Assessment / Written Exam and
2. Panel Interview(s).
The Research Attorney, under the direction of the Superior Court judges and the Superior Court Executive Officer, is responsible for performing high-quality and timely legal research and writing on behalf of the judicial officers; examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations in matters before the court.
Research Attorneys provide legal advice and counsel to the court in one or more of the following areas: criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, writs and appeals, and habeas petitions.
**Prior probate and/or complex civil experience is highly desirable for this position and will be given first consideration.**
Examples of Duties
Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work, and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
1. Provides written memoranda that reviews and summarizes evidence and procedural history, sets forth legal contentions, identifies and analyzes factual and legal issues, presents legal authorities, and makes recommendations to judicial officers.
2. Briefs judges on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the court, identifies and discusses unresolved issues necessary for disposition, and recommends dispositions.
3. Confers with and responds to judges' inquiries on procedural and substantive issues arising during trial and hearings.
4. Reviews pleadings, written legal reports, opinions, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
5. Drafts proposed decisions and orders for matters reviewed and/or taken under submission.
6. Reviews and analyzes court procedures and rules, prepares reports and recommendations regarding the impact of statutory changes.
7. May assist with planning, organizing and reviewing the work of legal interns.
8. Prepares memoranda, archives work products and performs online research.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications & Examples of Experience and Training
Education and Experience:
Completion of all coursework and obtaining a Juris Doctorate or Bachelor of Law degree from an accredited law school; active membership in the California State Bar in good standing, including maintaining compliance with mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements, and
Two or more years experience as a licensed attorney or other equivalent experience which demonstrates strong legal research and writing skills (e.g. law review, moot court, internships, clerkships, etc.) is required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough Knowledge of:
1. Legal principles and their application.
2. Legal research methods and techniques, both online (Westlaw and/or LexisNexis) and manual.
3. Using legal reference works including case law, statutory law and treatises.
4. Rules of evidence, court procedures and the conduct of court proceedings.
Working knowledge of:
One or more of the following areas: Civil, Family, Probate, Delinquency, Dependency, Writs and Appeals.
Skill and ability to:
1. Analyze difficult and complex legal problems and apply legal principles.;
2. Use excellent judgment, logic, and analytical skills in the review and analysis of legal documents and other legal research, and in the identification of central or secondary issues.
3. Clearly and logically present arguments, statements of facts and points of law, both orally and in writing.
4. Prepare clear and comprehensive correspondence, reports and memoranda, and conform case work-ups to individual judicial preferences.
5. Adapt to a changing schedule while adhering to court deadlines.
6. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
7. Coordinate assigned work with judicial officers, support and administrative staff.
8. Work independently with minimal supervision.
9. Learn new areas of law.
10. Analyze and plan projects.
11. Use a computer and case management programs.
Other Information
Required Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment, the incumbent will be required to:
1. Successfully pass a background investigation;
2. Possess a valid current California class C license, (or) the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation approved by the hiring authority.
3. Applicants must have a reputation for honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. Convictions, depending upon the type, number and date, may be disqualifying.
4. Not make false statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.
The Superior Court of California, County of Monterey offers a comprehensive benefits program including:
- Retirement: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
- Holidays: 13 days per year
- Annual Leave: Accrues at the rate of 23 days per year. The accrual rate increases after 2, 6, 10, 15, 18, 20 and 25 years of service.
- Medical, Dental & Vision Care: dependent coverage is offered.
- Long Term Disability: Court paid.
- Life Insurance: The Court pays the premium for a $50,000 term life insurance policy.
- Educational Assistance: Up to $2,000 per year.
- Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation program is available administered by Great-West Life.
Information contained in this job flyer is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Court Personnel Policies and Practices prevail over this listing.
01
Applicants for this position must submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will provide additional information about your background and experience related to this position and considered in the selection process. Please be concise and specific with your responses. Completeness, neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.
- Yes
- No
02
Are you a graduate of an accredited law school?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you a current active member of the California State Bar in good standing?
- Yes
- No
04
If you are an active member of the California State Bar, please enter your bar number.
05
Please mark your experience level(check as many as apply)
- Two (2) years of professional level legal research experience in support of the judiciary.
- Two (2) years of experience in litigation or litigation support.
- Combination of Two (2) years of professional level legal research experience in support of the judiciary and experience in litigation or litigation support.
- Two (2) years of professional level legal research experience in other specialty (describe below in question box #7)
- None of the above.
06
Please indicate your experience with legal analysis and/or law and motions for any of the following litigations types below (check all that apply)
- Probate
- Civil
- Family Law
- Appellate
- Other
- Criminal, including Habeas Corpus
07
Please describe your experience in the litigation types you selected in questions # 5 and # 6 above
08
Please submit a law-related writing sample(e.g., a brief, motion, legal memorandum, etc.) between 1 to 20 pages that you have prepared in the past 12 months. Remove any personally identifiable information from your writing sample. Substitute your primary phone number in place of your name.To submit your writing sample, please use one of the following methods:*Attach it to your online application*Email to: courtjobs@monterey.courts.ca.govFor your application to be complete, your letter of interest, resume and the writing sample must be attached to your online application or otherwise submitted and received by the Human Resources office by the closing date and time. An incomplete application may not be considered for employment. Please mark yes if you have read and understood this statement.
- Yes
- No
Required Question
