Attorney II (Limited Term)

Judicial Branch of California; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Health benefits

Pension plan

Job summary

The Judicial Council of California is seeking a limited-term Attorney II with the Center for Families, Children & the Courts. This three-year, full-time assignment is contingent on available funds.

The attorney will conduct courtesy reviews of dependency and delinquency files, provide legal guidance to courts, prepare bench cards, and deliver trainings to courts and partners, including county counsel, social workers, and probation officers.

Qualifications

• JD and three years of relevant post-bar legal experience.
• Experience as Law Clerk to a federal or state judge prior to bar admission is qualifying.
• Active membership with the State Bar of California prior to hire.

Responsibilities

• Conduct courtesy review of dependency and delinquency case files and review notes of other file review attorneys.
• Provide guidance to courts including legal advice and counsel regarding legal compliance and mandated duties.
• Create, modify and update bench cards and other documents on key hearings for judicial officers and stakeholders.

Skills

Legal analysis

Court liaison

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for a limited term Attorney II position with the Center for Families, Children & the Courts.

The Attorney II position is a temporary, full-time assignment for a duration of approximately three years, contingent on the availability of funds.

The Attorney II position is funded through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for the Judicial Resources and Technical Assistances (JRTA) grant program to support increased workload for the federal Children and Family Services Review (CFSR). The Judicial Resources and Technical Assistances (JRTA) Program provides legal assistance and materials to judicial officers working in a highly complex area of juvenile dependency and delinquency law. As an attorney on the JRTA team, the incumbent will conduct courtesy review of dependency and delinquency case files and review notes of other file review attorneys.

This position will provide guidance to courts including legal advice and counsel regarding legal compliance and mandated duties, as well as provide assistance through written analysis, with legal issues related to case law, documentation of reasonable efforts, and judicial determinations. This position requires substantial telephone and email communication with court partners including county counsel, social workers, and probation officers to discuss findings of file review and provide guidance on improving procedures. Duties will also include providing system partners with guidance on notice provision, adequate documentation of recommended findings in reports to the court, and timely provision of reports to the court. The incumbent will also create, modify and update bench cards and other documents on key hearings for judicial officers and stakeholders, giving judicial officers a succinct, updated and legally accurate summary of the key events and decisions required at each hearing, and provide direct legal assistance and trainings to individual courts or groups of courts, as appropriate.

The Judicial Council

The Judicial Council of California is the policy setting body for the state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority. This authority includes developing, advocating for, and allocating the judicial branch budget. A majority of Council members are California state justices and judges; however, the Council also includes lawyers, legislators, and court administrators.

By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council’s staff organization seeks to continue to evolve as one of California’s most dynamic public service entities, focused on improving access to justice for all Californians by innovating and responding to the changing needs of the courts and the public. As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations. As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Judicial Council strives for work life balance and includes substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package including pension, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending, up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, student loan forgiveness as part of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and retirement savings plans. In San Francisco, the office is only a 7-minute walk from the Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is located minutes from downtown, just north of Discovery Park.

The Judicial Council offers hybrid work arrangements for many positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person at the Judicial Council’s San Francisco office at least two days per week, based on their office leader’s direction, and reside in the areas surrounding these locations. To be eligible for Judicial Council employment and participation in the Judicial Council’s Hybrid Work Program, a prospective or current employee’s primary residence/remote work location must be in the State of California and within a 150-mile driving radius of their assigned reporting location.

Some highlights of our benefits package include:

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Pretax Parking
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Juris doctor and three (3) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorney.

After passing a state bar, work experience as a Law Clerk to a federal or state judge prior to formal bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS

Current active membership with the State Bar of California prior to hire.