Legal Research Attorney

The position of a legal research attorney is a challenging but highly fulfilling job, where the attorney works closely with trial court judicial officers and court administration to assist them with matters that come before the court. Research attorneys will routinely review court files, research the pertinent law, discuss the case with the judicial officers, draft a memorandum and / or tentative ruling, and attend hearings as requested by the judicial officer. They will often be assigned to special research and writing projects related to the work of the court. The work product prepared by a research attorney must be

thorough, accurate, and often prepared under significant time

constraints

A research attorney should be objective and adaptable, quickly adjusting to the individual needs of a diverse bench. They must also have strong ethics along with the ability to defer to the judicial officer regarding case dispositions.

• CIVIL / PROBATE EXPERIENCE STRONGLY DESIRED.
• AFTER AN INITIAL ONBOARDING PERIOD, SIGNIFICANT FLEXIBILITY IS OFFERED IN A REMOTE / HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE.

Under general direction, the Legal Research Attorney classification assists the Superior Court Judicial Officers by researching legal issues before the Court and providing assistance, advice, and counsel to the Court Executive Officer and the management team on legal aspects of administrative and operational issues.

SALARY INFORMATION :

Legal Research Attorney 1 : $94,598.40 - $124,612.80

Legal Research Attorney 2 : $113,776.00 - $149,801.60

Sr. Legal Research Attorney : $132,974.40 - $175,136.00

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL

The Legal Research Attorney classification is established as an "at will" position. As such, the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Court Executive Officer, who has the right to terminate the employment of anyone in this classification at any time, with or without advance notice, and with or without cause.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a professional classification. Most duties and responsibilities are performed within established policies, procedures, standards, rules, and laws. However, incumbents most often work independently and make decisions in the absence of easily applied rules. This class typically reports to the Court Executive Officer. Legal Research Attorney 1 positions are flexibly staffed to the Senior Legal Research level.

Legal Research Attorney 1 : is the first working level in the Legal Research Attorney class series. Initially, the incumbent works under close supervision in performing research and drafting legal opinions for Judicial and Executive staff. Supervision may be provided by other Legal Research Attorney 2, Senior, or those acting in a lead or supervisory capacity for this purpose. As experience is gained, there is a greater independence of action. Incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency, which meet the qualifications at the higher level.

Legal Research Attorney 2 : is the experienced working level in the Legal Research Attorney class series. Incumbents work independently in performing legal research and drafting legal opinions for Judicial and Executive staff and must be able to respond within short time frames to Judicial Officers' queries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and retrial hearings.

Senior Legal Research Attorney : is the expert working level in the series. At this level, the incumbent is independent in performing the full range of complex Legal Research Attorney assignments and tasks.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY

Incumbents work under general direction to perform most duties independently based on general policies, procedures, and standards. However, incumbents frequently make decisions that may have multiple alternative solutions and may involve the occasional development of new techniques and procedures. Priorities are established by court needs and can change frequently. Errors can have significant consequences to the legal rights of litigants and on the trust and confidence in the court system and its judges. Incumbents do not typically supervise other employees in the court but may have lead responsibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Court reserves the right to assign or reassign duties as required to achieve business and operational objectives. Essential functions and tasks must be accomplished effectively, if assigned, and may include, but are not limited to, those listed below.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Employment Standards are intended to express the general expectations of the position, in addition to the essential functions provided above. It is expected that the incumbent possess the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below at hire and / or within a reasonable amount of time after hire, through experience and training.

Knowledge Of :

Ability To :

Graduation from an accredited law school and a member of the California State Bar, in good standing,

AND

Legal Research Attorney 1

One (1) year in the practice of law, which shall include civil and / or criminal legal practice

, or one (1) year of experience performing legal work in a court environment, while attending law school.

Legal Research Attorney 2

Four (4) years in the practice of law, which shall include substantial civil and / or criminal legal practice, or three (3) years in the practice of law, including one (1) year in a court environment

Senior Legal Research Attorney

Seven (7) years in the practice of law, which shall include substantial civil and / or criminal legal practice, or five (5) years in the practice of law, including two (2) years in a court environment.

Highly Desirable But Not Required

Public law experience.

Working Conditions : Work is performed in a, typically shared, office environment with little

exposure to outside temperatures or dirt and dust. The incumbent's working conditions are typically

quiet, but may be loud at times at some locations. The noise level and traffic level in the work

environment are similar to a busy office. Incumbent may be required to travel to different

locations.

Normal business hours are 8 : 00 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work outside of these

hours may be necessary to meet operational needs of the court. This position is exempt from the

provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime.

Reasonable accommodation may be available to a qualified individual with a disability if it enables

them to perform the essential functions of this classification. If reasonable accommodation is

required to participate in the recruitment process or to perform any of the functions and related

tasks assigned or which may be assigned, please contact Human Resources.

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