Policy Counsel

State of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 109,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Supreme Court of Ohio is seeking a Policy Counsel to support domestic relations, juvenile, and probate law through legal guidance, education, and dissemination of information to judges and court staff.

The role involves advising on rules, trainings, and resource development, with emphasis on fostering compliance and best practices across Ohio's justice system.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school required with admittance to the Ohio bar.
• Active admission to the practice of law.
• Typically requires two to five years of directly related legal experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides assistance to judges, court administrators, clerks, local court staff, justice system partners, and advisory committees.
• Monitors trends, identifies effective practices, and disseminates information to judges and local staff.
• Provides legal expertise in domestic relations, juvenile, and probate law.
• Interprets legal issues and recommends actions for rule amendments, forms, and policies.
• Develops rules and standards governing family law matters.
• Coordinates training, seminars, and meetings with experts and organizations.

Skills

Attorney/Legal

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Job Description - Policy Counsel (260006S9)

Policy Counsel (260006S9)

Organization

Supreme Court of Ohio

Work Location

Ohio Judicial Center 65 South Front Street Columbus 43215

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation : $109,000 - $115,700

Schedule

Full-time

Union : N/A

Primary Job Skill

Attorney/Legal

Technical Skills : Attorney/Legal

Agency Overview

The Supreme Court of Ohio is seeking to fill the position of Policy Counsel. The Policy Counsel is responsible for providing assistance to internal and external justice system partners through a variety of methods including the dissemination of information to judges, local court staff and justice system partners; technical assistance; and education in key functional areas with a focus on domestic relations, juvenile, and probate law.

Job Description

• Assistance & Support: Provides assistance to judges, court administrators, clerks, local court staff, justice system partners, and advisory committees through information dissemination, technical assistance, education, rules, business processes, and projects/grants.
• Trends Monitoring: Monitors innovative trends, identifies effective practices, and disseminates information to judges, local staff, and justice system partners.
• Committee Support: Works closely with and provides administrative and legal support to Advisory Committee on Children and Families , and acts as staff liaison for subcommittees on court policy projects. Provides legal expertise in domestic relations, juvenile, and probate law.
• Subject Matter Expertise and Legal Guidance: Provides legal expertise in domestic relations, juvenile, and probate law. Interprets legal issues, policies, and procedures and recommends appropriate actions to staff and leadership for rule amendments, standardized forms, publications, and policies regarding guardians ad litem, family law, parents living separately, abuse, neglect and dependency, delinquency, school attendance, guardianships, adult protection, assisted outpatient treatment programs, and other family law related areas.
• Rule Development: Develops rules and standards that govern family law matters.
• Develops Resources: Monitors and analyzes statutory, regulatory, and court rule changes; develops and disseminates training, resources, publications, and educational materials to assist local court in understanding, implementing, and maintaining compliance with evolving legal and procedural requirements in domestic relations, juvenile, and probate law.
• Event Coordination & Training: Coordinates consultations, seminars, and meetings with experts; serves as a presenter for local court training; participates in regional/national associations and trainings.
• Relationship Building: Develops and maintains relationships with judges, local court staff, justice system partners, and relevant agencies at all levels.
• Board Participation: Participates in outside agency boards, task forces, or workgroups; reports court-related topics to manager/director.
• Family Law Program Support: Assists local courts in developing family law programs; encourages collaborative efforts with agencies and community resources.
• Facilitation: Facilitates roundtable meetings for judges and staff involving complex legal and operational issues; attends relevant committees and public discussions.
• Constituent Support: Responds to constituent calls, suggests resources, and maintains ethical standards in providing information.
• General Legal Support: Assists in rule drafting, contract review, and preparation of written documents.
• Evaluation & Research: Participates in evaluations, research, and data analysis to support evidence-based decision-making. Offers legal and policy considerations based on such research.
• Grant Management: Manages grants and financial resources, ensuring alignment with the strategic plan; seeks alternative funding for special projects.

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

What we’re looking for:

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school required with admittance to the Ohio bar required. At all times during employment with the Court, must be an attorney properly admitted to the practice of law, be in active and in good standing. Typically requires two to five years of directly related legal experience. An understanding of effective court management processes and domestic relations, juvenile, and probate law is preferred.

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.