Research Attorney - Probate Court

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Position Summary :

This position is an employee of the Court whose employment and performance is under the supervision of Chief Probate Judge Miriam Cavanaugh and performs various professional legal assignments in Circuit and Probate Court matters. Duties include presiding over status conferences, settlement conferences, and other hearings with litigants and attorneys, analyze and research legal issues, prepare legal memoranda, opinions and orders in all areas including civil, criminal, probate, family court, administrative, and / or appellate practice and perform other duties as directed by the assigned judge. The Probate Court Judge has the authority to hire, discipline or discharge this employee.

• Please attach education transcripts BEFORE submitting application.

Benefits :

Pay Rate Information :

The Research Attorney / Law Clerk position is a non-union position and starting pay is $89,406.94 / yr . This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 12 Wage Scale. Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $113,258.04 / yr .

Essential Job Functions :

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Analyzes and assesses civil, criminal, probate, and family law cases to identify relevant factual and legal issues based upon applicable law. Develops necessary expertise in and reaches conclusions for recommended disposition of issues in various cases.

2. Analyzes disputed issues pursuant to applicable law, facts, and subjective interests of the parties. Advises the judge regarding the relative strengths and weaknesses of parties' respective positions making recommendations regarding options for judicial action.

3. Communicates with attorneys and litigants regarding court proceedings.

4. Reviews case files, briefs, cited authority, transcripts, and documentary evidence to determine relevance, reliability, and significance for civil, criminal, probate, and / or family court matters.

5. Performs independent computerized and manual legal research. Provides written legal recommendations on motions and evidentiary issues to the judge.

6. Prepares opinions and orders for the disposition of legal matters, and reviews and approves orders for entry.

7. Assists the judge in court during trials, evidentiary hearings, oral arguments of motions, and other matters brought before the Court which require immediate consideration. Assesses challenges to evidence. Listens to testimony, reviews evidence, makes recommendations as to disposition, and facilitates resolutions where appropriate. Provides legal advice to the judge regarding changes in and interpretation of all statutes, case law, court rules, and procedures.

8. Assists in coordinating chambers operations and dockets, ensuring prompt resolution of disputes, maintaining an appropriate timeline for review of case files, ensuring compliance with statutes, court rules, case law, administrative orders, state mandated guidelines, and directives of the assigned judge. Develops and maintains screening devices pertaining to case flow. Authorizes appropriate extensions based upon review.

9. Assists in administering orders in high profile and / or highly sensitive cases, including limitations on media conduct. Reviews confidential and privileged material subject to protective orders.

10. Acts as a liaison between the Court litigants, attorneys, special masters, facilitators, county clerks, other departments and officials, and the media as required by the Chief Judge. Responds to questions and concerns from the public or other agencies and departments.

11. Conducts scheduled court hearing which are not required to be conducted on the record, including status conferences, settlement conferences, and pretrial hearings.

12. Monitors, reads, and analyzes new legislation, recent court decisions, and court rule changes in both state and federal jurisdictions.

13. Keeps abreast of legislative and regulatory developments, new administrative techniques, and current issues through continued education and professional growth. Attends conferences, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.

14. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications :

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following :

Physical Demands and Work Environment :

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes. The employee must be mobile in an office setting, stand, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push / pull objects of up to 15 lbs. without assistance. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for office employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.

The typical work environment of this job is a business office setting where the noise level is quiet and sometimes moderate.