Attorney 1 - Judicial Ethics Advisory Board

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

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Job summary

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts is seeking a capable legal counsel and ethics counselor to assist the Executive Director/Counsel to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board. The role provides guidance and Advisory Opinions concerning a Judicial Officer’s responsibilities under the Code of Judicial Conduct and related rules.

Responsibilities include reviewing requests for ethical guidance, conducting legal research, drafting Panel Advisory opinions for board review, coordinating with

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.

Responsibilities

• Review requests for ethical guidance and determine jurisdiction.
• Research applicable case law and ethics opinions for guidance.
• Draft Panel Advisory addressing concerns of a Judicial Officer.
• Coordinate with Executive Director for review and issuance of advisories.
• Manage panel votes and obtain authorization for Panel Advisory issuance.
• Prepare draft opinions for board meetings and final approval.
• Develop general ethics guidance and contribute to JEAB educational programs.

Skills

Communication skills

Research skills

Analytical thinking

Writing skills

Self-motivation

Independent work

Education

ABA-approved law school

Job description

This position assists the Executive Director/Counsel to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board by serving as legal counsel and ethics counselor, supporting the Board’s mission and purpose of providing guidance and Advisory Opinions concerning a Judicial Officer’s responsibilities pursuant to the Code of Judicial Conduct and/or Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges.

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 a 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.

M** inimum 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