Closing Date: 24th July, 2024

Description:

A Branch of The California Superior Court, invites applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Supervising Court Staff Attorney, providing legal research information and legal assistance to the Court in a unique unit. This includes analyzing, interpreting, and summarizing legal authorities for presentation to the judicial officers in pre-trial, trial, and post-trial matters, including Criminal, Habeas Corpus, Court Administration, and other research duties as assigned. The incumbent is primarily responsible for a unit or department, supervising attorneys, and/or support staff, as necessary, to operate the unit charged with a particular area of legal services to and on behalf of the Court. Supervision includes input on policy direction, workload analyses, work assignments, and work reviews of all members of the unique unit. Other assignments include overseeing the day-to-day activities of staff in that specified unit.

This selection process is being conducted in accordance with San Francisco Superior Court Personnel Rule 4. An eligibility list will not be established.

Examples of Duties:
Position Overview:
The Supervising Court Staff Attorney incumbent assigns reviews and evaluates the work product of the staff assigned to the unit. Participates and oversees the development of job announcements, recruitment, employee selection, staff development, performance evaluations, and progressive disciplinary process. Plans and implements cross-training; reviews employees' work to ensure quality and accuracy and provides ongoing feedback as to performance, including orientation, training research attorneys and interns, and offering technical assistance in casework procedures. Researches, analyzes, and interprets existing laws and ordinances, court decisions, pending legislation, and other legal authorities. Research legal authorities using traditional and computerized legal research methods, including statutory and case law of California, different states, federal and foreign jurisdictions, treaties and other international law, and legislative history. Researches and analyzes pleadings, memoranda of points and authorities, evidence, objections, and other documents and prepares a written memorandum for each matter, summarizing the factual background, identifying and analyzing factual and legal issues, and providing a proposed tentative ruling for disposition thereof; and/or orally briefs the judges on the research and analysis pertaining to each matter. Studies work patterns and unit efficiency. Develops and implements procedures to improve efficiency. Provides effective leadership and guidance in support of the Court's mission. Confers with judges and Court Executive Officer or designee on operational and legal issues. Conducts research on special projects assigned or requested by judicial officers or Executive staff. Participates in management meetings and projects. Serves on Committees within the court. Prepares reports and correspondence as needed. Performs other related work as required by business needs or as assigned.

May represent the unit, department, or Court in meetings with justice partners, community-based organizations, funders, Judicial Council of California, Bar Association of San Francisco, and other entities, as necessary.

Responsible for overseeing the allocation and assessment of tasks related to court calendars as applicable to assigned unit/division, e.g., Penal Code section 995 calendars and writs calendars, ensuring strict adherence to relevant statutes, court protocols, and local regulations. Ensures that all final legal research work products meet the Court's high-quality standards and deadlines by maintaining a hands-on approach, which may involve tracking, evaluating, reviewing, editing, and approving the legal research work before it is presented to judicial officers or Court management. Provides sound recommendations to court managers and supervisors and offers guidance to units, departments, divisions, and judicial officers in anticipation of new legislative mandates. Additionally, may be responsible for evaluating motions and writ petitions, conducting legal research, and providing training and mentorship to new staff in these areas to facilitate a delegation process. Regularly engages with judicial officers and court managers/supervisors to address legal and operational issues and contributes to developing suggested policies, procedures, court rules, and forms concerning court proceedings to address recurring matters. May also oversee resentencing cases and ex parte requests, coordinate the activities of court clerks, and review court cases. Additionally, responsible for designing legal orientation training programs and fostering relationships with local law schools, paralegal programs, and other pre-law training programs.

Responds to Judicial Officer inquiries on procedural and substantive issues during trial and pre-trial hearings, including overseeing, researching, and briefing motions, evidentiary objections, jury instructions, status of case authorities cited by counsel, and points of substantive law.

Screens mail received in the Criminal Law department from inmates and defendants; determines action to be taken and prepares orders if necessary; and provides assistance and guidance to Court staff as needed.

At the discretion of the Court's management, this position may be reassigned to another division based on the business needs.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office, conference rooms, and courtrooms, with continuous contact with judicial officers, other professional or support staff, legal representatives of litigants, other staff, court users, and the public.

Physical Requirements: Sit for extended periods; correct hearing and vision to normal range; constant verbal communication; use of office equipment, including extended use of a laptop computer; telephone, calculator, copiers, and facsimile machines.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Must be an active member in good standing of the California Bar, including maintaining compliance with mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements.

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional-level legal experience that includes litigation or legal research in support of the judiciary or a legal division, including pertinent substantive experience sufficient to direct a small group of attorneys performing legal research and attendant administrative matters or any combination of training and experience that could provide the desired knowledge and abilities.

Prior work experience in a leadership capacity and/or overseeing a small group of legal staff.

Desirable Qualifications:
Knowledge of:

Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision applicable to developing an internal group of professionals.
Knowledge of program management practices and techniques.
Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, legal research, and analysis materials.
Knowledge of California statutes related to California trial court processes, Rules of Court, and Rules of Evidence.
Knowledge of civil, criminal, family, constitutional, and administrative law principles.
Knowledge of legal terms, procedures, forms, and documents used in court cases.
Knowledge of proper English usage, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and spelling.
Knowledge of customer service skills and techniques

Ability to:

Ability to supervise, train, and review the work of others.
Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments, including assignments with short deadlines and/or assignments due concurrently.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to monitor and support the work of professional staff and/or support staff.
Identify and analyze legal issues and research legal authorities, including independent research when necessary.
Ability to prepare and present legal analyses orally or in writing and make sound and objective recommendations for judicial action.
Maintain a flexible and cooperative attitude when working with judicial officers, management, all court employees, outside agencies, and the public and stakeholders relevant to the unit/division.
Handle sensitive matters with finesse and discretion and maintain confidentiality of information.
Ability to work under pressure to deal with emergencies, tolerate frequent interruptions, coordinate work with others, listen to arguments/discussions, and understand underlying.
problems/questions/concerns and respond appropriately.
Ability to use traditional and computerized legal research methods.
Ability to use computers for legal research, word processing, and communication.
Recognize and respect the limits of authority and responsibility.
Uphold judicial ethics.
Ability to work in an environment with conflicting priorities and adapt to changes.
Ability to accept criticism, deal calmly and effectively with high-stress situations, maintain composure, control emotions, control anger, and avoid behavior that may be considered aggressive, even under challenging conditions.