Judicial Staff Attorney - Br. 1, 9 and 10

Dane County Circuit Court is recruiting for one (1) full-time (1.0 FTE) Judicial Staff Attorney position.

Staff Attorneys work under the supervision of the assigned judges to assist the court in legal research and legal writing, and perform other duties as required.

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, three (3) references, a legal writing sample (no more than six [6] pages) and a copy of a law school transcript showing class work and graduation date.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 am – 4:30 pm in person at the Dane County Courthouse.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. 

DEFINITION

Under the supervision of the designated judge, conduct legal research; organize and evaluate information; draft memos, orders, and decisions; and monitor the status of pending cases. Assist the Court in the review and disposition of cases filed by inmates of Wisconsin jails and correctional institutions by screening and processing papers in the Circuit Court of Dane County.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Read and evaluate motions and briefs filed by litigants. Perform legal research via the use of online or physical reference tools in order to assist the judiciary with drafting decisions and orders. Review prisoner litigation filings for legal and procedural sufficiency. Without providing legal assistance or advice, correspond with prisoner litigants when necessary. Prepare recommendations and reports necessary for the assigned judge to proceed with the prisoner litigation case. 

Graduation (or anticipated graduation within one semester) from an accredited law school. Prefer knowledge of Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and Dane County Circuit Court Rules and operations.

Background Check Statement: 

Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. 

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Hmong, etc.). 
2. Applicants being considered for Bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process. This may consist of either being able to respond to questions in that language (e.g., Spanish, Hmong, etc.) during the interview; or passing an oral translation (English to foreign language / foreign language to English) exam prior to employment.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements: 

Professional office work environment. Manual dexterity using fine and gross motor skills. Good visual acuity and hearing with or without corrective devices. Prolonged periods of computer use. Ability to type for extended periods of time.

Knowledge of legal terms, papers and forms. Ability to conduct legal research and maintain currency with changes in statutes and rules applicable to this position. Ability to work independently, set priorities and maintain a current workload so as to meet all legal and administrative deadlines. Ability to interpret and apply laws and rules as they relate to prisoner litigation. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with many judges, clerks and other court-related departments. Familiarity with automated legal research tools is preferred, along with knowledge of Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and Dane County Circuit Court Rules and operations.