Supervisory Staff Attorney

United States Courts; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Some telework is permitted

Health, dental, vision benefits

Commuter or parking subsidy

Job summary

United States Courts in the Missouri Eastern District seeks a Supervisory Staff Attorney to supervise pro se law clerks and staff attorneys, manage caseloads, and provide legal analysis to judges and court staff. Responsibilities include supervising workload, performance evaluations, and staff training, as well as drafting opinions and orders.

The role requires a Juris Doctor and preferred experience with federal court practice and CM/ECF familiarity.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• At least three years of specialized experience as a Pro Se Law Clerk or Staff Attorney preferred.
• Knowledge of supervisory and employee management principles preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, proofreading, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Assign, monitor, and review workload, performance, staffing, and training needs for the unit.
• Develop and conduct employee performance evaluations.
• Implement staff procedures and conduct staff meetings and training.
• Oversee office functions and maintain documentation and records.
• Provide legal analysis and counsel to judges, staff, and litigants; draft recommendations and orders.
• Review complaints and pleadings, screening pro se cases and determining issues for relief.
• Aid in developing training programs and revising court rules and guidelines.

Skills

Legal research

Communication skills

Leadership / supervisory

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor

Tools

CM/ECF

Job description

Job Details for Supervisory Staff Attorney

Court Name/Organization Missouri Eastern District Court

Overview of the Position Under the appointing authority of the Chief Judge, the Supervisory Staff Attorney and the Staff Attorney unit (Pro Se Law Clerks) are assigned under the Chief Judge with certain reporting responsibilities designated by the Chief Judge to a liaison judge(s). The incumbent acts as the direct supervisor for the Staff Attorneys and carries a caseload performing substantive legal and procedural review of prisoner civil litigation, instituted with or without an attorney, including state and federal prisoner habeas corpus petitions and civil rights complaints, and non-prisoner cases as assigned, and assists judges regarding substantive legal screening of submissions, handling pro se cases from inception. The incumbent also functions as an advisor to the District Court, Court Unit Executives, and the Chief Deputies, providing legal analysis and assistance on assigned matters.

Summary of Representative Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for assigning, monitoring, and reviewing workload, job performance, productivity, staffing and training needs, and other administrative tasks associated with managing the unit’s caseload
• Develops and conducts employee performance evaluations
• Implements staff procedures and conducts staff meetings
• Oversees office functions
• Identifies issues and resolves disputes
• Maintains accurate documentation, statistics, and employee records
• Trains staff on policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Makes recommendations regarding employee appointments, promotions, and separations
• Evaluates present procedures to determine innovations for increasing effectiveness
• Keeps abreast of the current staffing formula and associated work measurement efforts while monitoring pro se filings used to calculate annual staffing levels
• Maintains a caseload and performs work regularly required of a Staff Attorney (Pro Se Law Clerk):
  • Reviews all relevant complaints, petitions, and pleadings that have been filed to determining issues involved and the basis for relief;
  • Performs substantive screening after filing of all prisoner, inmate, and detainee complaints, petitions, and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints
  • Performs substantive screening after filing of pro se non-prisoner cases, as assigned
  • Performs research, as required, to assist the Court in preparing opinions
  • Drafts appropriate recommendations and orders for the Court's signature
  • Conducts legal research, reviewing case records/filings, drafting proposed opinions, memorandums, and orders, providing objective advice to judges, chambers staff and Court staff, and providing information to litigants and attorneys for litigants
• Assists in the revision of local rules, general orders of the Court, policies, forms and guidelines
• Provides legal review of assigned tasks such as CJA vouchers
• Conducts legal research to provide counsel to Chief Judge and Court Unit Executives
• Assists in developing training programs of a legal nature for presentation to the Court staff; Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications and/or Educational Requirements
A Juris Doctor degree is required. At least three years of specialized experience as a Pro Se Law Clerk or Staff Attorney is preferred. U.S. District Court experience and familiarity with electronic case filing, especially the CM/ECF (Case Management/Electronic Case Filing), system is preferred. Knowledge of supervisory and employee management principles preferred. The successful candidate must have a professional demeanor and possess excellent computer skills with a demand for accuracy and quality assurance; have good judgment with the ability to apply concepts to determine the appropriate action to be taken; possess excellent proofreading skills and have attention to detail; possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills; be dependable and able to work independently and lead a team.

Strong ability to manage time effectively, set priorities, and meet tight deadlines. Knowledge of Administrative Office and Judicial Conference policies and procedures as set forth in the Guide to Judiciary Policy regarding pro se law clerks is preferred. Knowledge of federal law, local court rules, and policies is preferred. Skill in conducting legal research related to varied, complex and difficult legal issues; skill in analyzing and summarizing legal concepts and issues; skill in legal reasoning and critical thinking are required. Ability to synthesize the results of legal research and convey those results (orally and in writing) in a clear, concise, and objective manner are required. Ability to understand and accurately carry out detailed, complex, and evolving instructions and ability to accept feedback and respond appropriately are required.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate a history of successful interactions with judicial officers, members of the Bar, other federal agencies and the public. A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others in a team environment and to exhibit a professional manner at all times is essential.

Employee Benefits

• Some telework is permitted.
• Benefits in addition to paid federal holidays, benefits for this position include federal employees’ group health, dental, vision, and commuter or parking subsidy.
• Position is subject to mandatory Electronic Funds Transfer participation for net pay.

Background Investigation Requirements

This is a High Sensitive position within the Judiciary. Employment will be considered provisional pending successful completion of an OPM background investigation and credit check and a favorable suitability determination. Investigative updates are required every five years. A social media inquiry may also be a condition of employment.

Application Info

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Appointment is contingent upon providing proof of United States citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Applicants may be asked to participate in proficiency tests.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.