Appellate Court Attorney – Division Six

Judicial Branch of California; Ventura (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work opportunities

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

The Judicial Branch of California, Second Appellate District, Ventura, seeks an experienced appellate attorney to draft proposed opinions across criminal, civil, and juvenile matters in Associate Justice Denise Hippach’s chambers.

Ideal candidates have active California State Bar membership, strong writing/analytic skills, and two years of post-bar legal experience; appellate experience is desirable and litigation background is valued.

Qualifications

• Active membership in the State Bar of California is required.
• Two years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as private practice, corporation, government agency, court, or legal publishing company is required.
• Experience as an appellate attorney is desirable.
• Strong writing, research, and editing skills are essential.
• Ability to present statements of facts, law, and argument clearly and concisely in written form.

Responsibilities

• Draft proposed opinions in criminal, civil, and juvenile appellate matters.
• Conduct superior legal research and write clearly reasoned analyses.
• Present statements of facts, law, and argument in a logical, concise written form.
• Edit and revise draft opinions based on feedback from justices and staff.
• Collaborate with court staff and other chambers to ensure quality work product.

Skills

Legal writing

Legal research

Appellate drafting

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent work

Collaborative work

Tools

Word processing

Legal research databases

Job description

The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Six, located in downtown Ventura, decides cases at the forefront of California’s civil and criminal jurisprudence. The court is currently recruiting a talented lawyer with a love for the law and writing, a strong work ethic and a dedication to excellence to serve in Associate Justice Denise Hippach’s chambers. The court values diversity and inclusion in our workplace. Your work at the court would include drafting proposed opinions in all areas of appellate law including criminal, civil, and juvenile. An appellate court attorney must have superior legal research and writing skills and the ability to present a statement of facts, law, and argument clearly, concisely and logically in written form.

Litigation experience or a prior judicial clerkship are desirable, but a proven interest in legal writing and analysis, and a desire to contribute to the judicial branch are a must. The Court offers a generous compensation and benefits package, including opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling, subject to the direction and approval of the justice.

The position is being recruited at levels B to D and will be staffed at a level commensurate with the qualifications of the selected individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Level B: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of two years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.

OR

Equivalent to two years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting as described above, including one year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level A, with the judicial branch.

Level C: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of three years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.

OR

One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level B, with the judicial branch.

Level D: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of four years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.

OR

One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level C, with the judicial branch.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should have appellate court experience, or experience in either appellate litigation or trial litigation with substantial writing experience. They should also have exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills; broad and practical knowledge of the law; familiarity with appellate practice; mature and sound judgment; attention to detail; good time-management skills; and the ability to work both independently and cooperatively with other members of the court staff, including the ability to accept editing of one’s work product and the willingness to learn from the editing process. Experience with computerized legal research, word processing skills, and knowledge of software applications are also essential.

In addition to the foregoing minimum qualifications, a candidate with at least three years’ experience as a judicial staff attorney, as an appellate practitioner, or in a position involving a comparable legal writing and analysis focus and the exercise of adjudicatory (as opposed to solely advocacy) skills is desirable.