Research Attorney

We are excited to announce an employment opportunity with the Nevada County Superior Court for a Research Attorney candidate with at least 0.50 FTE (part-time). For the right candidate, this position holds the possibility of full-time work based on experience, availability, and business needs.

Under limited direction, general supervision of the presiding judge and day-to-day supervision of the judge assigned to the civil/probate department, this professional level position provides technical research assistance to judges, executives and managerial staff and does other legal work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Research attorneys apply thorough knowledge of the fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of the legal profession.  

Essential duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs legal research on case matters that includes reviewing case files, drafting legal memoranda, preparing recommended rulings for trial courts and Appellate Division.
• Prepares and posts proposed rulings, tentative decisions and opinions for civil and probate calendars. 
• Prepares orders, rulings on submitted matters, judgments, reports, and correspondence on behalf of a judicial officer regarding matters pending before the courts. 
• Analyzes, researches and reviews administrative and operational issues and materials for judicial officers and court management, as needed. 
• Acts as a judge pro tempore when permitted by statute, the Canons of Judicial Ethics and the Rules of Professional Conduct, as needed. Maintains certification in bench conduct and demeanor, ethics, and any necessary litigation specific training.
• Conducts settlement conferences and assist litigants in preparing settlement documents, as needed.  
• Reviews and assists in preparing local rule development and revision, ensuring compliance with state mandates.
• Serves as a contracted research attorney to additional counties, as needed.
• Monitors and reviews billing of court investigators. 
• Represents judicial officers at Nevada County Law Library Board meetings, as needed. 
• Assists in the preparation and instruction of court sponsored trainings including, the annual Family Law Update and the annual Conflict Resolution Center Basic Mediation Training.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position.  Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent.  Additionally, incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

Knowledge of:

• In depth knowledge of principles of civil, constitutional, statutory, administrative and criminal law;
• In depth knowledge of civil, probate and judicial procedures; 
• In depth knowledge of rules of evidence; 
• In depth knowledge of principles and practices of legal research and writing; 
• In depth and broad knowledge of civil law and motion practices. 

Ability to:

• Research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to factual and legal issues;
• Analyze a variety of legal documents; 
• Analyze oral and documentary evidence;
• Communicate orally and in writing; 
• Draft briefs, opinions and recommendations;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Any combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain this is:

Experience: Five years’ experience as a practicing attorney with broad experience in civil law and procedure, or five years’ experience as a research attorney in a court of similar size, including extensive research and writing. 

Education: Graduation from an accredited law school.