Legal Director

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch seeks a Legal Director to provide strategic legal leadership, ensuring lawful operations and policy development across domestic relations and juvenile matters.

The role oversees compliance, advises Judges and court staff, and develops procedures to mitigate legal risk while guiding complex litigation and legislative tracking. Strong writing and collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school with admission to the Ohio Bar.
• Experience in domestic relations and juvenile law preferred.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including judges, attorneys, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Assures timely resolution of all cases for the domestic and juvenile court’s dockets.
• Monitors cases pending beyond guidelines, manages Court case flow, and advises Judges and magistrates.
• Develops and implements strategies to enhance case flow and efficiency.
• Drafts Administrative Orders and Local Rules; reviews contracts and public records requests.

Skills

Legal leadership

Legal research

Policy development

Stakeholder communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Position Summary:

The Legal Director for the Domestic and Juvenile Court provides strategic legal leadership, ensuring the court operates within the bounds of federal, state, and local laws. This role includes overseeing legal compliance, advising judges and court personnel, and developing legal policies and procedures to enhance court operations and foresees and protects the Court against legal risks regarding domestic and juvenile matters.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Assures timely resolution of all cases for the domestic and juvenile court’s dockets. Monitors cases pending beyond guidelines, manages Court case flow, and advises the Judges and magistrates on legal and judicial case issues.
2. Develops and implements strategies to enhance case flow to ensure consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness within the Court.
3. Develops and maintains policy and procedure on case flow processes, workflow process optimization, and best practices.
4. Reviews attorneys’ motions for extraordinary fees and makes recommendations.
5. Tracks legislation, (e.g., reviews Gongwer and Supreme Court daily to identify bills introduced that affect the Court), tracks bills through legislative process, briefs the Court on new legislation, develops and implements forms and procedures required by new legislation, responds to requests for comments on pending legislation.
6. Drafts Administrative Orders regarding local procedural/legislative changes. Drafts, revises, and publishes the Court’s Local Rules.
7. Completes legal review of contracts, proposed Memoranda of Understanding, and public records requests prior to release.
8. Leads the Court’s record retention process and updates the schedule as necessary.
9. Completes special projects as assigned; develops project plans and timelines; coordinates work with internal and external resources; represents the Court on special committees and task forces.
10. Performs other duties assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate of accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of Ohio.
• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of domestic relations and juvenile law experience. Experience in court administration, government, or public sector legal work preferred.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including judges, attorneys, and the public.

**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 9/30/2026