Attorney 1 - Judicial Ethics Advisory Board

Pennsylvania Courts; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 62,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost medical, dental, vision plans

13 paid holidays

Paid time off

Salary increases

Student loan forgiveness plan

Employee assistance programs

Judiciary retirement plans

Job summary

Pennsylvania Courts seeks a qualified attorney to review requests for ethical guidance from Judicial Officers, verify jurisdiction, and conduct research to prepare advisory opinions and panel advisories. The role involves coordination with the Executive Director, drafting opinions for board meetings, and contributing to ethics education programs.

The position requires ABA-law graduation, Pennsylvania Bar admission, and strong writing, research, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA-approved school of law.
• Admission to and in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong research and analytical abilities.
• Self-motivation with ability to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Review ethical guidance requests to verify jurisdiction and status of the requester.
• Assess sufficiency of factual recitations and request more information if needed.
• Research relevant case law and ethics opinions to support guidance.
• Draft Panel Advisory addressing concerns for a Judicial Officer’s advisory opinion.
• Coordinate approvals and circulation of Panel Advisory to panels and executives.
• Track votes and obtain authorization for issuance of Panel Advisory.
• Prepare opinions for board approval and draft general ethics guidance.

Skills

Communication

Research

Writing

Interpersonal skills

Education

ABA-approved law school

Bar admission, PA Supreme Court

Job description

Primary Job Duties

• Review new requests for ethical guidance from Judicial Officers to establish jurisdiction (e.g., confirm requester is a current Judicial Officer or Judicial Candidate; ensure that the matter is not in relation to ongoing litigation; establish that the request is not in relation to a hypothetical question; determine that the request is not in relation to a third-party inquiry).
• Review factual recitations submitted with a request for ethical guidance to determine sufficiency. If the presented facts are insufficient to render adequate guidance, seek authorization from the Executive Director to contact the requesting Judicial Officer through e-mail and/or telephone communication to establish sufficient facts.
• Conduct necessary research of applicable case law, ethics board/committee opinions of surrounding states, National Judicial Conduct Reporter, prior advisories of the Pennsylvania State Trial Judges Association Ethics Committee and Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania Ethics Committee advisories, as well as prior Advisory Opinions of the Pennsylvania Judicial Ethics Advisory Board, applicable to provide adequate guidance in response to a request of a Judicial Officer seeking an Advisory Opinion.
• Formulate a draft Panel Advisory addressing the concerns of a requesting Judicial Officer seeking an Advisory Opinion of the Board. Forward draft Panel Advisory to the Executive Director for review.
• After approval from the Executive Director, circulate the draft Panel Advisory to predetermined panels of membership for member review and edit the draft for eventual authorization to issue Panel Advisory.
• For assigned matters, manage, track, and record the vote/determination of panel members to acquire consensus and obtain authorization to issue Panel Advisory. Seek approval of the Executive Director prior to issuance of Panel Advisory.
• Communicate with the Executive Director and Senior Administrative Coordinator once panel members have authorized the issuance of Panel Advisory to the requesting Judicial Officer.
• Prepare draft Opinions for approval by the board at monthly board meetings.
• Conduct additional research regarding supplemental facts, supplemental case law, or legal support for conclusions/opinions determined by the Board upon determination of the Board to adopt, modify, or reverse a Panel Advisory prior to issuance as a Board Opinion.
• Research, formulate, and draft General Ethics Guidance for publication by the Board.
• Assist with developing, preparing, editing, and presenting at JEAB educational programs, including speaking engagements, webinars, and similar programs. Following appropriate instruction, training, and preparation, this position is also expected to participate in presenting these programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an ABA-approved school of law.
• Admission to and a member in good standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
• Superior communication, interpersonal, research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Self-motivation and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Additional Qualifications/Preferences

• Travel as needed for business of the Board.
• Participate in Board meetings is required.
• Satisfactory criminal background check required.

Job Highlights

• Full-time
• Excellent Judiciary benefits program including comprehensive, low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans for employees and eligible family members beginning on the first day of employment; 13 paid holidays; paid time off; salary increases; student loan forgiveness plan; employee assistance programs; and Judiciary retirement plans.

Salary information

Starting Salary Range: $61,926 - $75,020