Legal Research Attorney I/II

POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direction of the Supervising Legal Research Attorney and Assistant CEO of the Superior Court, the incumbent provides legal analysis and advice to judicial officers. These positions are characterized by the responsibility of participating in and overseeing the performance of legal research assistance to the court in pre-trial and trial matters including: Civil Law and Motion, Criminal, Probate, Juvenile, Family Law, Appellate and other research duties as required. These positions are at-will appointments and incumbents serve at the pleasure of the court.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Incumbents receive work assignments and report directly to the Supervising Legal Research Attorney.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Legal Research Attorney is a multi-level series distinguished primarily by the complexity of work, level of independent judgment and action. Incumbents integrate experience, legal principles and research skills to evaluate a variety of legal issues and to prepare a tentative ruling or court opinion. Incumbents may do additional types of research for a variety of judicial officers.

Legal Research Attorney I is the entry level of the Legal Research Attorney series. Persons appointed to this position work under close supervision.  Work is routinely reviewed by the Supervising Legal Research Attorney (Manager), research methods are discussed and rationale for opinions is analyzed.

Legal Research Attorney II is the journey level of the Legal Research Attorney series. Incumbents work under limited supervision and are assigned cases of medium complexity. Work is periodically reviewed by the Supervising Legal Research Attorney (Manager).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include, but are not necessarily limited to:
 

• Research and analysis of pleadings, memoranda of points and authorities as it applies to specific issues before the Court
• Prepare summaries and make recommendations to the court on issues as assigned
• Prepare and maintain the Court's tentative rulings, published on the Court’s website for Civil Law and Motion
• Prepare and maintain probate notes
• Write reports, collect, and analyze data needed for related matters
• Confer with judges on legal issues
• May direct law students in the Externship program 
• Perform other related duties as required by business needs. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law.) 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education: Requires achievement of Juris Doctor Degree and requires active membership in the State Bar of California.

Experience: 

Legal Research Attorney I:  Requires zero to two (0-2) years of professional experience.

Legal Research Attorney II: Requires three to six (3-6) years of professional experience.

Computer Literacy:  Experience with WestLaw, Lexis/Nexis and Microsoft Suite

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY

Incumbents in all classifications must possess the following:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of legal principles and their application
• Knowledge of civil law and procedure
• Knowledge of probate law and procedure
• Knowledge of trial procedure
• Knowledge of research methods

• Ability to accept guidance by technical standards and policies
• Ability to analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing
• Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with the public and others contacted in the course of work
• Ability to function effectively in a challenging and fast-paced environment
• Ability to confer with judges on legal issues

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use dexterity and coordination utilizing hands to finger, handle or feel objects, use a computer keyboard, view a computer monitor, handle files, single pieces of paper, stacks of papers, and reference and other materials; reach with hands and arms; and stoop and kneel.  Hearing and speaking are needed to listen effectively and to talk with individuals in person and by phone.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability of adjust focus.

The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and move from place to place within the office.  The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds and reach for items above and below desk level.  Lifting of objects weighing more than twenty-five (25) pounds will require team lifting.  The noise and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy business office.

Normal business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  These positions are FLSA exempt.

• A cover letter and resume (applications will not be considered without a cover letter and resume)
• A completed Yolo Superior Court Application Form
• Responses to the Required Supplemental Questions
• A Writing sample (ideally an objective legal memorandum) – Requirement is outlined in Required Supplemental Questions

• Reference checks are required.
• Successful completion of a background check and drug screen is required after a job offer has been extended.
• At the time of appointment to a position, candidates are required to execute an oath of allegiance to the United States and the State of California.