Duty Staff Attorney

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch seeks a Duty Staff Attorney to maintain the appointed counsel list, support magistrates, and perform legal research and drafting of memoranda. The role involves assisting with hearings, trial preparation, and decisions, in domestic relations and juvenile matters.

The candidate should have a JD, active license, familiarity with relevant statutes and court procedures, and at least two years in the related

Qualifications

• JD degree and active law license.
• Familiar with statutes, civil rules, and courtroom procedures in domestic relations and juvenile areas.
• Strong computer skills.
• 2 years’ Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court experience.
• Must submit a cover letter and writing sample 4–10 pages long.

Responsibilities

• Oversees Appointed Counsel Lists; reviews applications, approves and adds attorneys to appointment list, conducts orientation, ensures list eligibility.
• Oversees the Court’s Local Rules; draft new local rules, amend current rules, post for public comment.
• Researches administrative and legal matters and tracks pending legislation impacting the court.
• Researches and drafts memoranda on legal issues for magistrates’ review and assist with hearings and trials.
• Assists magistrates with drafting decisions, including attending hearings, assisting with trial notes, and reviewing exhibits.
• Reviews and processes extraordinary fee filings.
• Processes out-of-county transfers on domestic and juvenile custody dockets.

Skills

Legal research

Appointed Counsel

Local Rules

Court procedures

Computer skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Duty Staff Attorney maintains the appointed counsel list and rules associated with the lists. Provides support to all court magistrates and fills in for judicial staff attorneys when necessary. Research domestic relations and juvenile court issues and cases to find leading legal authorities at the request of the lead magistrates and prepares memoranda with results of legal research. Answers questions from attorneys and pro se litigants on an as-needed basis. Has a familiarity with court forms and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees Appointed Counsel Lists. Reviews applications for Appointed Counsel and Guardian Ad Litems. Approves and adds attorneys to the appointment list; conducts appointment orientation sessions, and answers appointed counsel questions. Reviews attorneys’ compliance with requirements to maintain list eligibility annually. Assigns appointed counsel to preliminary hearings. Coordinates with Appointed Counsel Fiscal office and Specialty Courts to coordinate training dates and materials.
2. Oversees the Court’s Local Rules to include drafting new local rules, amending current local rules, and posting for public comment.
3. Research administrative and legal matters and track pending legislation impacting the court for the Lead Magistrates and Directors.
4. Research and draft memoranda on legal issues for magistrates’ review and assist the magistrates in preparing for hearings and trials.
5. Within guidelines established by the Administrative Judge and Court Administrator, assist magistrates with drafting decisions including attending relevant hearings and trials, assisting with trial notes, and reviewing exhibits in preparation for writing draft decisions.
6. Review and process extraordinary fee filings.
7. Process out-of-county transfers on the domestic and juvenile custody dockets.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Juris Doctor degree and an active law license;

Familiar with statutes, civil rules, and courtroom procedures in domestic relations and juvenile areas;

Strong computer skills;2 years’ Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court experience

Must submit a cover letter and writing sample 4-10 pages long.

**It is the policy of The Court to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established by law. The Court prohibits discrimination and maintains a strict disciplinary policy, up-to and including termination for violations of the EEO policy.**

Applications for this posting will be accepted until 11:59 PM on 09/10/2026.