Master Commissioner

dasstateoh; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 139,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work 1 day/week

Biweekly commuter stipend

Job summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio is seeking an experienced lawyer to serve as Master Commissioner (Attorney) in the Office of Legal Resources. The role focuses on expert legal analysis across complex litigation, including extraordinary writs and death-penalty matters, with a strong emphasis on research and written opinions.

The successful candidate must be an attorney admitted to practice, with preferred experience in appellate work or clerking.

Qualifications

• Must be an attorney admitted to the practice of law and in good standing with the applicable authority.

Responsibilities

• Review pleadings, motions, transcripts, exhibits, and briefs in appeals and original actions.
• Perform legal research on statutes, case law, and constitutional authorities.
• Prepare comprehensive written analyses for Justices, including dispositions and draft opinions.
• Consult with fellow 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 on complex legal matters and evaluate factual information.
• Maintain case-status logs and coordinate with the administrative coordinator.
• Propose amendments to court rules when appropriate.
• Attend seminars and bar activities to stay current with legal trends.

Skills

Legal analysis

Legal research

Written communication

Time management

Confidentiality

Job description

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.

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.

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 the 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.

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.

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 $138,673.60 to $147,000. 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.

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.

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.