Construction & Real Estate Attorney - Courthouse Projects (Hybrid)

The Judicial Council; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 149,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision benefits

Paid holidays

Commuting cost reimbursement

CalPERS Retirement Plan

401(k) and 457 plans

Employee Assistance Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Judicial Council of California seeks an attorney to join the Legal Services Office in San Francisco or Sacramento. The REU handles in‑house legal support for more than 425 facilities and a broad capital program, advising on acquisition, procurement, construction, operation, leasing, and disputes.

The role includes drafting opinions, supporting committees, supervising outside counsel, and contributing to legislative drafting. Hybrid work is offered with CA residency required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor, and three (3) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorney.
• After passing the state bar, work experience as a law clerk to a federal judge prior to formal state bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support for courthouse construction projects including construction-related contract procurement, contract administration, contract close-out, warranty enforcement, disputes, claims, and litigation.
• Provide legal advice and support for courthouse modification and improvement projects, facilities maintenance contracts, and contract procurements.
• Research and draft legal memoranda, opinions, and policies related to facilities’ issues.
• Supervise work of outside counsel on real estate and construction matters or litigation.
• Provide legal support for the Judicial Council’s facilities-related advisory committees and working groups.
• Provide facilities-related advice to support the work of other Judicial Council offices.
• Draft and assist in negotiating site acquisition agreements including related environmental (i.e. CEQA) compliance.
• Provide legal advice and support in connection with the management of a real estate portfolio of approximately 20 million square feet (450+ buildings) including issues connected with on-going building maintenance, facility modifications, and changing court space needs.
• Handle issues connected with the transfers of responsibility for trial court facilities from the 58 counties to the Judicial Council under SB 1732 including issues that arise with respect to shared-use facilities.
• Draft and negotiate leases, licenses, and renewals thereof, as well as provide legal advice concerning lease disputes and terminations.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Contract drafting

Litigation management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctor

Active California Bar membership

Job description

The Judicial Council of California seeks an attorney to join the Legal Services Office in San Francisco or Sacramento. The REU handles in‑house legal support for more than 425 facilities and a broad capital program, advising on acquisition, procurement, construction, operation, leasing, and disputes.

The role includes drafting opinions, supporting committees, supervising outside counsel, and contributing to legislative drafting. Hybrid work is offered with CA residency required.