Legal (Litigation) Assistant to Trial Counsel I or II

The Commission on Judicial Performance is the independent state agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and for disciplining judges. The position is being recruited at levels I and II and will be staffed at a level commensurate with the qualifications of the selected individuals.

The Commission on Judicial Performance strives for work-life balance and includes substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package including pension, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending, up to $130 reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, and retirement savings plans. In San Francisco, the office is only a 7-minute walk from the Civic Center BART station.

The successful candidate will be expected to work in the San Francisco office. At present, commission employees work remotely two days a week and are in the office three days a week.

Duties

Under direction, the Legal Assistant to Trial Counsel I/II provides varied, complex and confidential legal secretarial, paralegal and administrative assistance to trial counsel, staff counsel, and the commission, and performs related work as assigned.

Legal Assistant to Trial Counsel I is the entry-level class in the Legal Assistant to Trial Counsel series. Incumbents perform a wide variety of complex and specialized legal secretarial, clerical and administrative duties to support the Office of Trial Counsel. The class is alternately staffed with Legal Assistant to Trial Counsel II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher-level class.

Legal Assistant to Trial Counsel II is the journey-level class of this series, fully competent to perform independently the full range of varied and complex legal secretarial, administrative, and paralegal duties and able to demonstrate an increasing knowledge of and ability to apply commission rules and procedures.

Examples of Duties (illustrative only)

• Provides legal secretarial, paralegal and administrative support to trial counsel, staff counsel, and the commission.
• Types, edits, and proofreads a variety of legal and other documents, including correspondence, memoranda, legal pleadings, briefs, tables of authorities, and charts.
• Assists the Trial Counsel in preparation for evidentiary hearings before special masters including preparing subpoenas, compiling discovery, preparing exhibits, and contacting witnesses.
• Maintains calendar in formal proceedings.
• Arranges meetings and depositions; contacts witnesses to schedule appearances and provide procedural information.
• Contacts custodians of record to obtain documents and files.
• Handles filings of legal documents with the commission, the Supreme Court, and other courts.
• Transcribes interview notes, and recordings of interviews and court proceedings.
• Reviews finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, and correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and conformance to commission rules, procedures, and uniform style using the California Style Manual.
• Reviews final legal documents by checking referenced facts and verifying cited authorities.
• Drafts and prepares correspondence independently and utilizing standardized formats; determines and selects optional language in accordance with appropriate processing of complaints; provides required and relevant commission rules and documentation.
• Organizes and maintains an information management system that includes hard copy files and records and electronic information.
• Establishes and maintains complex legal files; maintains integrity of legally relevant original documents.
• Scans case materials and other documents, links electronic documents to database records, enters data into the commission’s case tracking database.
• Performs research, including the use of legal and other databases.
• Follows up on projects, disseminates information, and keeps informed of commission policies, procedures, and activities.
• Coordinates travel arrangements for Trial Counsel and witnesses.
• Assists with preparation for commission meetings.
• Provides additional secretarial and administrative support, as required, including furnishing information to the public and complainants, and screening and processing incoming mail and complaints.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be available to work overtime and on weekends and holidays.
• Statewide travel may be required.

Salary

• $5,923 - $7,202/month

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Legal concepts, terminology, practices, and procedures.
• Standard secretarial and administrative office practices and procedures, including filing, business letter writing, and the standard format for correspondence, memoranda, briefs, drafts, opinions, and other documents.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of training, directing, and coordinating the work of others.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the use of legal terminology.
• Methods of legal research.
• California trial and appellate court practices and procedures.

Licenses and Certificates

None

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a high school education or four years of legal secretarial experience, two years of which included litigation, paralegal, or legal research experience. Or: Two years in a legal assistant position with the Commission on Judicial Performance. Additional directly related college-level education may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Other Information

Please note: If you are selected for hire, the Commission on Judicial Performance will require verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work legally in the United States.

How to Apply

This position requires completion of an application form, a resume and a letter expressing your interest in and highlighting any experience that you deem particularly relevant to, this position.  Please apply by April 18, 2025.  This position will remain open until filled.  

To complete the online application, please click on the Apply for Job button.

The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260.

Benefits

The Commission on Judicial Performance offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 transit pass subsidy per month
• Pre-Tax Parking Savings Program
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Long Term Disability (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Commission on Judicial Performance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.