Legal Research Attorney I/II

Under the direction of the Supervising Legal Research Attorney and Assistant CEO of the Superior Court, the incumbent provides legal analysis and advice to judicial officers. These positions are characterized by the responsibility of participating in and overseeing the performance of legal research assistance to the court in pre-trial and trial matters including: Civil Law and Motion, Criminal, Probate, Juvenile, Family Law, Appellate and other research duties as required. These positions are at-will appointments and incumbents serve at the pleasure of the court.

These positions are at-will appointments and incumbents serve at the pleasure of the Court.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Incumbents receive work assignments and report directly to the Supervising Legal Research Attorney (Manager).

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Legal Research Attorney is a multi-level series distinguished primarily by the complexity of work, level of independent judgment and action. Incumbents integrate experience, legal principles and research skills to evaluate a variety of legal issues and to prepare a tentative ruling or court opinion. Incumbents may do additional types of research for a variety of judicial officers.

Legal Research Attorney I is the entry level of the Legal Research Attorney series. Persons appointed to this position work under close supervision.  Work is routinely reviewed by the Supervising Legal Research Attorney (Manager), research methods are discussed and rationale for opinions is analyzed.

Legal Research Attorney II is the journey level of the Legal Research Attorney series. Incumbents work under limited supervision and are assigned cases of medium complexity. Work is periodically reviewed by the Supervising Legal Research Attorney (Manager).

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Research and analysis of pleadings, memoranda of points and authorities as it applies to specific issues before the court
• Prepare summaries and make recommendations to the court on issues as assigned
• Prepare and maintain the Court's tentative rulings, published on telephonic and automated system for Civil Law and Motion
• Write reports, collect, and analyze data needed for related matters
• Maintain current in civil law and procedure, and other bodies of law required to perform duties
• Confer with judges on legal issues
• May direct law students in the Internship program and appear in court to supervise same
• Perform other related duties as required by business needs. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law.)

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education: Requires achievement of Juris Doctor Degree and active membership in the State Bar of California.

Experience:

Legal Research Attorney I: Requires zero to three (0-3) years of professional experience.

Legal Research Attorney II: Requires three to six (3-6) years of professional experience.

Computer Literacy: Experience with WestLaw and Microsoft Suite

Driver's License: Possession of a valid California driver's license may be required

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY

Incumbents in all classifications must possess the following:

Knowledge of:

• Legal principles and their application
• Civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law and procedure
• Trial procedure
• Research methods

Ability to:

• Accept guidance by technical standards and policies
• Analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Pay close attention to detail 
• Communicate clearly, orally and in writing
• Deal effectively and tactfully with the general public and others contacted in the course of work 
• Function effectively in a challenging and fast-paced environment 
• Confer with judges on legal issues

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this 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 frequently required to use dexterity and coordination utilizing hands to finger, handle or feel objects, use a computer keyboard, view a computer monitor, handle files, single pieces of paper, stacks of papers, and reference and other materials; reach with hands and arms; and stoop and kneel. Hearing and speaking are needed to listen effectively and to talk with individuals in person and by phone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability of adjust focus.

The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and move from place to place within the office. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds and reach for items above and below desk level. Lifting of objects weighing in excess of twenty-five (25) pounds will require team lifting. The noise and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy business office.

Normal business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. These positions are FLSA exempt.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

To be considered for this position, job applicants are required to submit:

• A cover letter and resume (applications will not be considered without a cover letter and resume)
• A completed Yolo Superior Court Application Form
• Responses to the Required Supplemental Questions
• A Writing sample (ideally an objective legal memorandum) – Requirement is outlined in Required Supplemental Questions

Human Resources will review completed applications and responses to supplemental questions.  Applicants who are successful in the application-screening phase may be contacted for an examination and/or structured oral interview.
 
An eligibility list may be developed and referred to for an undesignated period of time.  The Court reserves the right to re-recruit rather than select individuals from the eligibility list.

• Reference checks are required.
• Successful completion of a background check and drug screen are required after a job offer has been extended.
• At the time of appointment to a position candidate are required to execute an oath of allegiance to the United States and the State of California.

 
Closing Date is Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 12:00 pm (noon)
 
For more information contact a Human Resources representative at 530-406-6881.
 

Salary : $106,327 - $139,511