Research Attorney

Superior Court of California, County of Ventura; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Superior Court of California, County of Ventura is seeking a Court Research Attorney to perform advanced legal research, analysis of authorities, and preparation of written recommendations for court dispositions. The role supports judicial officers with research and drafting of legal documents.

The ideal candidate will hold a Juris Doctorate, be an active member in good standing of the California Bar, and have experience in civil litigation discovery and law and motion practice.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Knowledge of legal principles, statutes, constitutional and case law; online legal research methods (e.g., Westlaw).
• Ability to listen and interact with judicial officers and others; identify legal issues and research statutes, rules and case law; apply legal principles to facts.

Responsibilities

• Review and summarize in writing arguments, evidence, and procedural history on matters submitted to the Court.
• Identify and analyze legal authorities relevant to the disposition of matters.
• Brief judicial officers on research and analysis; discuss unresolved issues and formulate dispositions.
• Respond to judicial officers' inquiries; attend and assist at hearings and review documents as needed.
• Assist with drafting of legal documents and memoranda required by the Court.

Skills

Legal research

Westlaw

Analytical thinking

Verbal/written communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

Active State Bar California

Tools

Word processing

Office automation software

Job description

Review Dates: July 3, 2026, July 24, 2026, and August 17, 2026

Ventura Superior Court is accepting applications to fill a vacancy and establish a list for future vacancies.

Under general supervision, this professional level represented position performs legal research activities on behalf of the Court by examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations for resolving issues before the Court. May include, but are not limited to the following:

• Reviews and summarizes in writing arguments, evidence, and procedural history on matters submitted to the Court;


• Identifies and analyzes legal authorities relevant to the disposition of matters;


• Briefs judicial officers on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the Court, identifies and discusses unresolved issues necessary for the disposition of matters, and formulates dispositions;


• Responds to judicial officers inquiries on procedural and substantive issues, attends and assists at hearings, as necessary; reviews documents at the requests of judicial officers, as necessary;


• Serves as legal adviser to the judicial officers, staff, or judicial committees on specific matters before the Court, as necessary;


• Assists with the drafting of legal documents and memoranda required by the Court, as necessary.

Incumbents perform their work under general direction. Court Research Attorneys conduct extensive legal research using independent judgment, discretion, and initiative. Erroneous recommendations or failure to achieve objectives may result in substantial delays and considerable expenditure of resources.

Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university.

Performing legal research and developing legal opinions with a trial or appellate court

OR

A minimum of two (2) years' experience as a civil litigation attorney with expertise in discovery and law and motion practice.

Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.

Because the Court operates in multiple branches, the employee may be required to travel to other court locations, and possession of a valid California driver's license is therefore required. To be considered you must possess a valid California driver's license.

Knowledge of legal principles within area of assignment; relevant statutory; constitutional and case law; online legal research methods (i.e. Westlaw); rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial, appellate and/or United States courts; legal ethics; word processing and other office automation software.

Ability to listen to and interact with judicial officers and others involved in the assigned caseload; identify legal issues and research statutes, rules and case law; apply legal principles to case facts and make decisions; prepare and present verbal and written legal analyses and recommendations; coordinate work with others; work in an environment with conflicting priorities; recognize and respect limits of authority and responsibility; uphold legal ethics; and work independently and as part of a team.

• Independent body mobility to access a standard office environment with shelves and drawers of varying heights.


• Vision sufficient to read a computer screen, manual dexterity, coordination and ability to use a computer keyboard on a daily basis.


• Occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds may be required and the need to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time.


• Some bending, stooping and/or squatting may be required.


• Transport, lift or carry trial materials to and from court (up to approximately 10 pounds).


• Speak and hear sufficiently to communicate clearly in person and over the telephone, in court, and in small groups

• Shared office environment with varying degrees of hot and cold air.


• Requires occasional exposure to dust.


• Requires travel to other court locations, department, other agencies, or counties.


• Must be able to traverse indoors and outdoors, over uneven ground and pavement in all types of weather.


• Frequent interruptions, with high volume of telephone and personal interaction.


• Ability to drive or utilize an alternate mode of transportation to perform the essential functions of the job.

DEADLINE DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Review Dates: July 3, 2026, July 24, 2026, and August 17, 2026

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must possess the personal qualifications generally recognized as essential to being an outstanding public employee, including integrity, initiative, dependability, courtesy, good judgment, and the ability to work with others as a team and follow instructions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Working in any of the Ventura Superior Court facilities requires employees to be subject to security screening by security personnel who use a combination of walk-through and handheld screening devices.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation, which may include personal and professional character references, inquiry into past employment, education, credit, criminal background and depending on the position, may include driving records. Please note that the pre-employment background process will include any interaction you may have from the application process through the time that you are provided a final offer of employment. Offer of employment may be rescinded at any time during the pre-employment background check process if the process determines that the applicant is not a good fit for the position.