Staff Attorney

The Staff Attorney should be a highly organized and energetic individual with impeccable time management skills, exceptional interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills as well as considerable initiative and independent judgment, and the competence to multitask several ongoing projects without Court oversight or undue delay. The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing legal research and administrative support to the Judge and Magistrates of the Housing Court.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The following duties indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the Staff Attorney.  They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of this position.   Other duties may be required or assigned at any time.   

1. Perform legal research.
2. Prepare memoranda, draft opinions, judgment entries, and decisions.
3. Assist the Judge and magistrates in preparation for trials and hearings.
4. Conduct civil pretrials, settlement conferences,
5.  and mediations.
6.  Complete special projects as requested by the Judge and magistrates.

5. Provide information to Housing Court staff regarding procedures and laws.

6. Assist the public and attorneys in obtaining information about pending cases including  ZOOM links for hearings. 
7.  Attend community meetings as needed.
8.  Locate files for staff, litigants, and attorneys as necessary.
9.  Act as personal bailiff to magistrates as needed. 
10.  Provide assistance to landlords and tenants with processing filings.
11.  Communicate on behalf of the Court with attorneys, parties, and the public.
12.  Schedule non-routine hearings as requested by magistrates.
13.  Perform other duties as assigned by the Court.

KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS and ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and or ability required. Alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform the duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

1. Excellent legal research and legal analysis
2. Well-developed expedient legal research and writing skills
3. Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in court proceedings
4. Ability to organize and prioritize duties 
5. Highly organized work habits
6. Ability to maintain high-volume caseloads
7. Solid computer skills and the ability to navigate case management systems
8.  Video conference platform knowledge and experience preferred

Additional consideration will be given to applicants who have the following qualifications:  previous experience working in the Court system; knowledge of the Ohio Landlord/Tenant Act; mediation certification.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Law degree from an accredited college or university. Licensed attorney with Ohio preferred or bar admission from other states. Completion of mediation training courses approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio is also preferred. 

COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE

The Court expects all members of its staff to uphold the interest of the Court and to adhere to all Court policies, guidelines, practices, and procedures; maintain high professionalism both inside and outside the Court; perform all duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate and thorough manner; be conscientious about meeting Court’s productivity standards; and communicate regularly with supervisor about department issues.  Additional requirements for employment with the Court include the following.

1. Strong analytical and organizational skills and the ability to function at a high level within a large, complex organization.
2. Ability to prioritize work, work independently without daily direct supervision, and manage a variety of projects simultaneously in a high-pressure atmosphere under severe time constraints.  Must have good time-management skills and be highly organized and detail-oriented.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with judges, Court employees, lawyers, outside agencies, businesses, and the general public.
4. Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
5. Creativity and ability to conceive and implement innovative approaches to solve problems and meet objectives.  
6. Ability to recognize the need for change and respond with flexibility to changing program demands, propose solutions, and ensure that solutions are implemented.
7. Must be conscious of and sensitive to the diversity within the Court’s jurisdiction and be able to interact professionally with this diverse population of people from many different geographic, socioeconomic, religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds regularly.
8. Must have patience, objectivity, professional maturity, effectiveness under stress, initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The Housing Court Staff Attorney is an at-will employee and serves at the pleasure of the Court; he/she is not a member of a bargaining unit. The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or disability.

DRUG SCREEN AND BACKGROUND CHECK

Any candidate offered a position will be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by the City of Cleveland. These screenings include but are not limited to a criminal background check and drug screen. New hires will be placed on a 180-day probationary period.