Master Commissioner

State of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 125,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

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 candidate will join a team of knowledgeable and dedicated public servants to provide expert legal analysis concerning all phases of litigation in complex areas of law.

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,

Qualifications

• Must be an attorney admitted to practice law and in good standing in any U.S. state or territory.
• Over two years of legal experience preferred.
• Experience in areas such as death-penalty matters, extraordinary writs, workers’ compensation appeals, public utilities, and tax appeals is helpful.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Review pleadings, motions, transcripts, exhibits, records, and briefs in appeals and original actions.
• Research case law and authorities cited and perform additional research as needed.
• Prepare comprehensive written analyses for the Justices and draft dispositions and draft opinions.
• 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.

Skills

Attorney/Legal

Job description

Organization

Supreme Court of Ohio

Agency Contact Name and Information : Office of Human Resources - [e-mail]

Unposting Date

Aug 28, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Work Location

Ohio Judicial Center 65 South Front Street Columbus 43215

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation : $124,924.80 - $143,000

Schedule

Full-time

Union : N/A

Primary Job Skill

Attorney/Legal

Technical Skills: Attorney/Legal

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.

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.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) &Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

• 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.

Supplemental Information

Major Worker Characteristics:
The Court seeks to recruit and retain talented individuals with outstanding legal analytical and writing skills and a commitment to public service.

Application Process

This is an exempt unclassified position, reporting to the Director, Legal Resources. The salary range for this position, which is commensurate with experience, is $124,924.80 - $143,000. The position is eligible for remote work one day per week with supervisor approval, or alternatively, the selected candidate may elect to receive a biweekly commuter stipend.

To be considered for this position, candidates must apply online at www.careers.ohio.gov or deliver an application by June 17, 2026, to the Supreme Court of Ohio, 65 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 and attach or enclose all of the following:

1. Complete application
2. Supplemental questions
3. Resume or CV
4. Cover letter
5. A list with three professional references
6. One writing sample

Only completed applications will be considered. In response to your application, this system will send you a confirmation email. Interviews will be scheduled as soon as practical. We will contact you if you are selected for an interview. Please do not duplicate your application and please, no phone inquiries.

Out of state applicants may apply; however, the Supreme Court of Ohio does not reimburse travel or relocation expenses.

The Supreme Court of Ohio is an equal employment opportunity employer that supports an alcohol- and drug-free, and a weapons- and violence-free, work environment.

At-Will Employment
The Supreme Court of Ohio is an at-will employer that seeks to attract, employ, and retain highly skilled and motivated individuals, attempts to maintain staff continuity for the efficiency of its operation, and desires to foster and maintain an ethical, professional, and impartial work environment. Pursuant to Adm. P. 4 (At-Will Employment), no person shall be offered or denied a position of employment with the Court, and no employee shall have the employee's employment terminated based solely upon political party affiliation, political activity permitted under Adm. P. 17 (Employee Code of Ethics), or other partisan considerations. Further, no employee shall have the employee's employment terminated with or without cause unless upon the concurrence of a majority of the Court.

Background Check Information:
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.