Legal Counsel II

State-of-Missour; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Bar Dues

Job summary

Missouri Judiciary in Columbia, Missouri seeks an attorney to support a Juvenile Office across Boone and Callaway counties. The role involves providing legal guidance, handling appellate matters, and litigating a range of juvenile cases. You will contribute to policy decisions and train staff on court procedures.

Qualified candidates hold a JD, Missouri license, and at least six years of practice, with strong research, writing, and advocacy skills. Missouri's comprehensive benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school and six years of experience in the practice of law.
• Current license to practice law in the State of Missouri.

Responsibilities

• Litigate cases on behalf of the Juvenile Office, including delinquency, status offenses, abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, and certification matters.
• Provide legal counsel to the Juvenile Officer and Deputy Juvenile Officers regarding charging decisions and evidentiary sufficiency.
• Conduct legal research and analysis of statutes, case law, and other authorities to support case strategy and policy decisions.
• Draft and review legal pleadings, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely filing.
• Represent the Juvenile Officer in contested hearings, including docket preparation and witness preparation.

Skills

Litigation

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral communication

Electronic filing

Case analysis

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Electronic filing systems

Job description

Job Location:

Boone County Courthouse in Columbia, Missouri

The salary reflected represents the base pay for this position and does not include any differential for time-of-service pay for state tenure.

Why you'll love this position:

A position with the Missouri Judiciary provides you the opportunity to work with a variety of exceptional, hardworking people and to gain a valuable and rewarding career. It takes many types of talent to advance the mission of the Missouri Judiciary and to keep operations running smoothly. Our positions offer competitive benefit programs, growth opportunities and the ability to work with people in your community.

This position involves complex and varied professional legal work supporting a Juvenile Office within a multi-county circuit. The attorney represents the Juvenile Office in Boone and Callaway counties, provides legal guidance on matters of law and policy, and evaluates the impact of proposed legislation on court procedures. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Juvenile Officer and is reviewed through conferences and written reports.

If you are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people while building a long-term legal career, we encourage you to apply. We offer a collaborative work environment as well as the State of Missouri's comprehensive benefits package.

Some of the duties of this position include:

• Litigate cases on behalf of the Juvenile Office, including delinquency, status offenses, abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, and certification matters.
• Provide legal counsel to the Juvenile Officer and Deputy Juvenile Officers regarding charging decisions and evidentiary sufficiency.
• Conduct legal research and analysis of statutes, case law, and other authorities to support case strategy and policy decisions.
• Draft and review legal pleadings, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely filing.
• Respond to motions filed by opposing counsel, including preparation of legal memoranda.
• Represent the Juvenile Officer in contested hearings, including docket preparation, subpoena issuance, witness preparation, negotiation with opposing counsel, and disposition recommendations.
• Maintain and compile legal references and resources to support decision-making.
• Provide training to staff on legal issues and court procedures.
• Analyze pending legislation and assist in developing policies and procedures for implementation.

Prepare written legal analyses as requested by the Juvenile Judge or Juvenile Officers.

Minimum Qualifications:

(The following statement represents the minimum education and experience which will be used to determine qualifications of applicants, provided equivalent substitution will be permitted in case of deficiencies of either experience or education. Education above the minimum stated may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required general experience; experience above the minimum stated may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required education.)

Graduation from an accredited law school and six years of experience in the practice of law.

Necessary Special Requirement:

Current license to practice law in the State of Missouri.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Possess knowledge of general law, state and federal statutes and local ordinance, court rules, and case law.
• Possess the ability to analyze and organize facts and present cases in clear and concise manner.
• Possess competence and familiarity with electronic filing and juvenile record keeping and database management.
• Demonstrate proficiency in analytical skills, writing skills, oral communication skills, and effective inter-personal relationship skills.

Preferred Skills:

The best candidates for this position care about children. They have familiarity with juvenile law and juvenile court processes. They are able to communicate effectively with staff and law enforcement. They have a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and are able to remain calm in stressful situations.

Benefits:

This position receives Missouri's generous benefit package for state employees --14 paid holidays each year, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, Missouri State Retirement System, cafeteria plan, life insurance, and Missouri Deferred Compensation plan, as well as paid annual Missouri Bar Dues.

Please send inquiries regarding this position or questions regarding employment with the Missouri Judiciary to:

[e-mail]