Staff Attorney

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid option for eligible employees/‑

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Office of Judicial Administration in Indiana is seeking a Screening/Research Staff Attorney to conduct initial screening and preliminary investigations of complaints alleging judicial or attorney ethical misconduct. You will research issues, draft memoranda, and provide informal guidance to judges and attorneys, with opportunities to present on ethical matters.

The role requires a Juris Doctorate and Indiana bar license, strong writing and analytical skills, and the ability to produce

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and active Indiana law license required.
• Member in good standing with the Indiana Bar required.
• Excellent writing, keen analysis, and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Screen and preliminarily investigate written and electronic complaints alleging judicial or attorney ethical misconduct.
• Research issues raised and recommend dismissal or further investigation.
• Provide informal advice to judges and attorneys on ethical questions and drafting advisory opinions for commissions.
• Draft advisory opinions for approval by the Commissions on application of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Present on ethical issues to judges and lawyers.
• Assist with meetings and materials for Judicial Qualifications Commission and Disciplinary Commission.
• Assist with presenting on ethical issues to judicial officers and attorneys.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem Solving

Research

Analytical thinking

Writing skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctorate

Indiana Bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Supreme Court systems

Job description

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The Office of Judicial Administration is responsible for the efficient administration of all agencies that operate under the direction of the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court. That includes 200 personnel; fiscal management; communication; technology; legal services; intergovernmental relations; services for the trial courts; and support for court boards, commissions, and committees. The Office is headed by Chief Administrative Officer Aaron Hood, who reports directly to the Chief Justice of Indiana and serves as the link between the Chief Justice and the agencies of the Court.

Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $85,000 but may be commensurate with education and/or experience.

About the Job:

The Office of Judicial and Attorney Regulation (OJAR) has an immediate opening for a Screening/Research Staff Attorney. OJAR represents three agencies of the Indiana Supreme Court: 1) the Judicial Qualifications Commission, 2) the Judicial Nomination Commission, and 3) the Disciplinary Commission. The successful candidate for this position will be responsible for initial screening and preliminary investigation of written and electronic complaints alleging judicial ethical misconduct and/or alleging attorney ethical misconduct. This position will conduct any legal research raised by alleged misconduct and make evidence-based recommendations on whether to dismiss a complaint or whether to advance the matter for further investigation. The position also requires providing informal advice to judicial officers and attorneys who have questions on ethical issues and drafting advisory opinions for approval by the Commissions. The position further requires presenting on ethical issues to judges and/or lawyers. A juris doctorate and an active Indiana law license are required. The position requires extensive writing, attention to detail, keen analysis, and excellent communication skills. The successful candidate will also handle additional duties as assigned.

A Day in the Life:

The Screening/Research Staff Attorney is responsible for screening and preliminary investigation matters on behalf of the Commissions and for recommending which matters should be summarily dismissed by the Commissions and which matters should be fully investigated by the Commissions. Duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Reviewing written and electronic complaints submitted by the public alleging ethical misconduct by judicial officers and/or attorneys and evaluating whether the matters raise a potential violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct or the Rules of Professional Conduct
• For matters raising potential issues of ethical misconduct by judicial officers, drafting initial request for response from judicial officer, reviewing the subsequent response, and recommending whether further investigation is warranted
• For matters raising potential issues of ethical misconduct by attorneys, recommend sending an initial request for response from attorney, reviewing the subsequent response, and recommending whether further investigation is warranted.
• Briefly summarizing complaints that do not raise issues of ethical misconduct for consideration to be summarily dismissed by the Commissions
• Drafting legal memoranda on whether to open an investigation on the Commissions’ own motion (on potential matters of judicial and attorney ethical misconduct that are not initiated by a complaint)
• Drafting formal advisory opinions for approval by the Commissions on application of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Rules of Professional Conduct to general situations
• Assisting with compiling materials for Judicial Qualifications Commission and Disciplinary Commission meetings
• Assisting with presenting on ethical issues to judicial officers and attorneys

What You'll Need for Success:

A Juris Doctorate and an active Indiana law license is required. The applicant also must be a member in good standing with the Indiana Bar.

Integrity

• Exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials
• Maintain personal and business affairs in a manner that ensures public confidence in the integrity, competence, impartiality, and independence of the judiciary as well as avoid situations that could lead to a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict

Decision-Making

• Critical thinking using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Demonstrate an understanding of the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Be willing to take direction from supervisors and make decisions for the greater good of the agency
• Engage in collaborative decision-making with team members and supervisors that is consistent with the vision of the agency

Professionalism

• Interact with all people in a respectful manner, maintain business-like appearance, and promote harmony in the workplace
• Interact with executive branch agencies, federal agencies, and judicial officers in a manner that promotes confidence and respect in the Office of Judicial Administration

Communication

• Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members, supervisors, and staff in other divisions of the Office of Judicial Administration
• Communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience

Organization

• Effectively manage time to ensure tasks and projects are properly prioritized and completed in a timely manner.

Attention to Detail

• Research, coordinate, and track work in a proficient manner to ensure accuracy

Problem Solving

• Identify problems and review related information to develop and implement solutions
• Use deductive reasoning skills to meet several complimentary goals

Information Gathering

• Analyze information from multiple databases to complete clear and concise reports

Technology and Tool Usage

• Learn and adapt to new technologies within the Microsoft Suite as well as Supreme Court systems

Benefits package for full-time employees:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans;
• Wellness program (offers a premium discount for the medical plan and gift cards);
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution;
• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match;
• Two (2) fully funded pension plan options;
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid new parent leave;
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave;
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off;
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years;
• Group life insurance;
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits;
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program;
• Free Parking for most positions;
• Free LinkedIn Learning access
• Hybrid Option for eligible employees/positions

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The Indiana Supreme Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal employment opportunities are provided to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, status as a protected veteran or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and the Indiana Judicial Code.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and will need reasonable accommodation to assist you in applying for the position or performing the essential functions of the job, the Indiana Supreme Court will provide such reasonable accommodations.