Administrative Attorney

Ca9 Employment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 89,488 - 145,507; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Federal pension plan

Employer‑subsidized health and life保险

Thrift Savings Plan

Public transit subsidy

On-site gym

Job summary

The Administrative Attorney will support the Ninth Circuit's Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) in processing JC&D complaints under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act. The role involves clerical, administrative, and substantive legal work, coordinating workflow and preparing memoranda and disposition orders.

Based in San Francisco, the position requires in-person presence four days a week with one telework day, plus occasional travel.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school.
• At least one year post J.D. legal work experience.
• Active bar membership in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Skills in legal research, analysis, and writing; presenting recommendations orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrative contact for JC&D matters, including processing mail submissions and calendaring deadlines.
• Manage the docket and maintain records; draft disposition orders and memoranda.
• Input and review data; coordinate reports and statistical reporting.
• Respond to JC&D inquiries from complainants and relevant agencies while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist senior staff and other COPLA personnel as needed.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral presentations

Confidentiality

Ethics and judgment

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

SharePoint

Excel

Westlaw/Lexis

CM/ECF

PACER

PowerPoint

Job description

Judicial Conduct & Disability

$89,488 to $145,507 (CL 28)
San Francisco, CA

The Office of the Circuit Executive for the Ninth Circuit (OCE) invites applications for an Administrative Attorney, with a primary focus on complaints filed under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980 (28 U.S.C. §§ 351–364). Candidates who are motivated, self-sufficient, critical thinkers with excellent organizational and communication skills are encouraged to apply. If you are interested in a position that offers an opportunity to contribute to the federal judiciary’s mission of ensuring equal justice under the law, come join our talented and diverse team at the OCE.

About the Office of the Circuit Executive

The OCE serves the United States Courts for the Ninth Circuit, which is the largest federal circuit in the country, comprising nine western states and two territories. The OCE serves all judicial court units within the Circuit, including the Court of Appeals, District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Probation and Pretrial Services Offices, and Federal Public Defender’s Offices.

The OCE also provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit—the chief policy making body for federal courts within the Ninth Circuit—and its various committees. The mission of the Judicial Council is to support the effective and expeditious administration of justice and the safeguarding of fairness in the administration of the courts within the Circuit. All OCE responsibilities flow from directives of the Judicial Council or the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit. These responsibilities include identifying judicial needs, conducting studies, developing and implementing policies, organizing training opportunities, staffing committee meetings, providing public information and human resources support, coordinating facilities and IT projects, and advising the Judicial Council on procedural and ethical matters.

About the Position

The Administrative Attorney will report to the Assistant Circuit Executive (ACE) for Court Operations, Policy, and Legal Affairs (COPLA). The incumbent’s primary focus will be to process Judicial Conduct and Disability (JC&D) complaints and related matters pursuant to the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980, 28 U.S.C. §§ 351–364. Specifically, the incumbent will perform clerical, administrative, and technical duties to coordinate the workflow of all JC&D matters, as well as engage in substantive legal work to support the resolution of such matters. The incumbent will also provide legal and administrative support to the ACE, the Attorney Advisors and other COPLA staff, the Chief Circuit Judge, the Circuit Executive, and the Judicial Council.

Representative Duties

• Serve as the initial and primary administrative and clerical point of contact for all JC&D matters, which includes:
  • Opening, reviewing, and processing hard‑copy mail submissions from complainants to determine compliance with relevant rules
  • Performing case management duties, including appropriate record retention practices, paper file organization, and calendaring deadlines
  • Processing judicial orders and other legal documents for all Attorney Advisors within COPLA
  • Receiving and responding to JC&D inquiries from complainants via mail and email
  • Communicating with judges and providing updates regarding JC&D matters via telephone, mail, and email
  • Drafting accurate, thorough, grammatical, and error‑free correspondence and memos
  • Inputting and maintaining data and reviewing the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of data entered
  • Formatting and assembling internal reports and complying with accurate statistical reporting requirements of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
  • Responding to requests for JC&D complaint information from the FBI, ABA, or other internal vetting processes in compliance with the confidentiality requirements of 28 U.S.C.§ 360
• Process JC&D complaints in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 351–364, the JC&D Rules, and the Ninth Circuit’s Local Rules for Misconduct Proceedings, which includes:
  • Reviewing the complaint, researching the legal issues, investigating the record and underlying facts, and identifying the correct recommendation for resolving the complaint
  • Analyzing and synthesizing issues in underlying civil, criminal, and bankruptcy proceedings, where applicable, for a basic understanding of the procedural and legal background of the complaint
  • Preparing memoranda and drafting disposition orders
  • Orally presenting the recommendation to the Chief Circuit Judge
  • Effectively managing a docket of cases
  • Promptly and accurately performing administrative tasks to conclude the JC&D matter
  • Monitoring and resolving petitions for review of the Chief Judge’s disposition order by preparing a recommendation memorandum for the Judicial Council
• Assist the Chief Circuit Judge or Special Committee on JC&D related matters as necessary, including interviewing witnesses, summarizing witness interviews, drafting memoranda, coordinating the investigation, etc.
• Perform other legal, policy, and administrative support to the COPLA Unit, the OCE, and the Chief Circuit Judge as necessary.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school
• At least one year post J.D. legal work experience consistent with the duties and responsibilities of this position
• Active bar membership in good standing in any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information and maintain strict confidentiality
• Skills and experience in:
  • Conducting legal research, analysis, and writing
  • Presenting legal recommendations orally and in writing
  • Drafting clear, concise memoranda and proposed orders
  • Consistently demonstrating sound ethics and judgment

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates who can leverage technology to work efficiently and effectively
• Knowledge of SharePoint, Excel, Westlaw/Lexis, CM/ECF, PACER, electronic case management systems/programs, data management systems/programs, and PowerPoint desired

Position Location

This is a full-time position that requires in‑person attendance for at least four days a week at the James R. Browning United States Courthouse at Mission and 7th Street in San Francisco, California, with an option for one day of telecommuting each week. After six months of exemplary work, one additional day of telecommuting may be authorized. Occasional travel within the Ninth Circuit may be required.

Rewards & Perks

• Salary: $89,488 to $145,507 (CL 28), depending on qualifications and experience. Applicants with prior federal judiciary experience may be hired in the Full Performance Range, while applicants without federal judiciary experience will be hired in the Developmental Range (see Court Personnel System Pay Rates)
• Time off: 11 paid holidays, 13 vacation days, and 13 sick leave days per year. After three years (including any prior federal work experience), vacation days accrue at a higher rate.
• Benefits
  • Federal pension plan and optional employer‑matching Thrifty Savings Plan (similar to a 401K)
  • Choice of a variety of employer‑subsidized federal health and life insurance plans
  • Optional dental, vision, and long‑term care coverage
  • Flexible spending account to pay out‑of‑pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax‑free dollars
  • Other perks: eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; on‑site gym at the Browning Courthouse; and potential for alternate work schedules

How to Apply

Please upload the following documents through the Career Portal by using the appropriate upload button:

• a current resume
• a cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement and a list of three work references, at least one of which must be a current or former supervisor

Only applications with a cover letter, resume, and references will be considered.

Next Steps

• Priority consideration given to applicants who apply by May 15, 2026
• Position open until filled
• Travel to the interview and relocation expenses (if the applicant is successful) will not be reimbursed
• If selected for an interview, you will be provided information regarding a writing exercise that you will complete before or at the conclusion of your interview. All materials and equipment will be provided on‑site at the interview.
• Applicants scheduled for an interview should advise the Human Resources department if any accommodation is needed for the interview or the on‑site writing exercise

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at‑will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the OCE. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay is required.

The OCE reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including but not limited to budgetary issues. Any modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

Equity Focused Employer

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The OCE encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, disability, religion, and socio‑economic circumstance.