Master Commissioner

Supreme Court of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 139,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio seeks an experienced attorney to serve as a Master Commissioner (Attorney) within the Office of Legal Resources. You will analyze complex litigation, prepare written work for Justices, and assist on non-discretionary docket matters including extraordinary writs and death-penalty-related issues.

The role requires strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with confidential handling of sensitive information, and collaboration with Justices and staff.

Qualifications

• Must be an attorney admitted to practice law and in good standing in any US state or territory.
• Two+ years of legal experience preferred; judicial clerkship or appellate staff experience preferred.
• Experience in areas where the Office of Legal Resources provides analysis (death-penalty matters, mandamus, taxation, utilities, etc.) is helpful.
• Outstanding legal research and analysis capabilities and excellent writing skills.
• Sound judgment, decisiveness, time management, and effective communication with Justices, supervisors, coworkers, attorneys, and the public.
• Special requirements: confidentiality of sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Review pleadings, motions, transcripts, exhibits, records, and briefs in appeals and original actions filed with the Supreme Court of Ohio.
• Review authorities cited and perform additional legal research as needed.
• Prepare comprehensive written analyses for Justices, recommend disposition, and draft opinions and entries.
• Consult with other master commissioners on legal issues in pending cases.
• May conduct hearings, primarily in state and local taxation appeals.
• Review editorial changes to opinions before publication.
• Assist Justices or senior management with complex legal matters and evaluate facts.
• Maintain a log of case statuses with the administrative coordinator.
• Propose amendments to court rules when appropriate.
• Attend seminars and participate in bar association activities to stay current.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Job description

• Review and analyze the pleadings, motions, transcripts, exhibits, records, and briefs in appeals and original actions filed in the Supreme Court of Ohio.


• Review the case law, statutory, and constitutional authorities cited by the parties and perform additional legal research as needed pertaining to the assigned matters.


• Prepare for the Justices a comprehensive written analysis of the facts and issues presented in an appeal or original action, recommend disposition of the case, including any pending motions, and prepare draft opinions and entries as needed.


• Consult with other master commissioners concerning legal issues in pending cases.


• May conduct hearings as assigned by the Court, primarily in state and local taxation appeals.


• Review editorial changes made to opinions before publication.


• Assist the Justices or senior management in complex legal matters; conduct research of complex legal issues; evaluate factual information.


• Collaborate with the administrative coordinator in maintaining a log of the status of assigned cases, as requested.


• Propose amendments to court rules when appropriate.


• Attend state and national seminars when directed, participate in bar association committee activities as appropriate, and otherwise remain current with developing legal trends and authority.

What You’ll Do

• Review and analyze the pleadings, motions, transcripts, exhibits, records, and briefs in appeals and original actions filed in the Supreme Court of Ohio.


• Review the case law, statutory, and constitutional authorities cited by the parties and perform additional legal research as needed pertaining to the assigned matters.


• Prepare for the Justices a comprehensive written analysis of the facts and issues presented in an appeal or original action, recommend disposition of the case, including any pending motions, and prepare draft opinions and entries as needed.


• Consult with other master commissioners concerning legal issues in pending cases.


• May conduct hearings as assigned by the Court, primarily in state and local taxation appeals.


• Review editorial changes made to opinions before publication.


• Assist the Justices or senior management in complex legal matters; conduct research of complex legal issues; evaluate factual information.


• Collaborate with the administrative coordinator in maintaining a log of the status of assigned cases, as requested.


• Propose amendments to court rules when appropriate.


• Attend state and national seminars when directed, participate in bar association committee activities as appropriate, and otherwise remain current with developing legal trends and authority.

What We’re Looking For

• A master commissioner must, at all times during employment with the Supreme Court, be an attorney properly admitted to the practice of law and be in good standing with the appropriate admitting authority of any state or territory of the United States.


• Over two years of legal experience is preferred. Previous experience as a judicial law clerk or staff attorney at the appellate level is preferred. Experience in the courtroom or interacting with clients is helpful.


• Experience with any of the areas of law in which the Office of Legal Resources routinely provides legal analysis, including death-penalty-related matters, extraordinary writs, workers’ compensation direct appeals, public utilities cases, state and local taxation appeals, or practice-of-law matters, is helpful.


• The candidate selected for the position must demonstrate outstanding legal research and analysis capabilities and excellent writing skills.


• Requires sound judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in evaluating information; strong time‑management skills; and the ability to communicate effectively with the Justices, and with supervisors, co‑workers, attorneys, and the public.


• *Special Requirements: This position is regularly exposed to sensitive information and the employee is expected to keep that information strictly confidential.

Agency Contact Name and Information

Office of Human Resources - [e-mail]

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Work Location

Ohio Judicial Center

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

$138,673.60 to $147,000

Schedule

Full-time

Classified Indicator

Unclassified

Union

N/A

Primary Job Skill

Attorney/Legal

Technical Skills

Attorney/Legal

Professional Skills

Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Supreme Court of Ohio is seeking an experienced lawyer to fill the position of Master Commissioner (Attorney) within the Office of Legal Resources. The successful candidates will join a team of knowledgeable and dedicated public servants to provide the Justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio expert legal analysis concerning all phases of litigation in complex areas of law. Master Commissioners assist the whole Court with its non‑discretionary docket, which includes extraordinary writs, death‑penalty‑related matters, workers’ compensation mandamus appeals, attorney discipline, the unauthorized practice of law, state and local taxation, and public utilities. Master commissioners review and analyze case filings and documents, conduct extensive legal research, and prepare comprehensive written work product for review by the Justices of the Court. The new hire will begin working primarily on extraordinary writs or in their demonstrated area of expertise and experience, such as death‑penalty‑related matters, with the opportunity to explore other subject areas based on interest and the needs of the court.