Description:
Overview:The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for a limited term Attorney II position with the Criminal Justice Services office.
The Attorney II position is a temporary, full-time assignment for a duration of three years, contingent on the availability of funds.
The Attorney II will provide expertise around firearms-related policies under state and federal law, including prohibitions related to convictions, mental health status, diversion, and relinquishment procedures. With Supervising Attorney oversight, the attorney will draft legal opinions and memoranda, conduct legal research, and provide a wide range of legal services, including the development of Judicial Council forms, rules of court, and legislation to improve the administration of justice. The position will also include providing training and technical assistance and presenting to a wide range of court-connected audiences and policymakers, as needed.
The legal team of the Criminal Justice Services (CJS) office provides criminal law subject matter expertise and performs a broad range of legal duties for the Judicial Council and its internal and advisory bodies, the 58 superior courts, and other Judicial Council divisions. To enhance the services provided and to meet the need for clarification around complex legal matters, CJS legal team attorneys develop specialized expertise within the broader criminal law subject matter.
The Judicial Council
The Judicial Council of California is the policy setting body for the state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority. This authority includes developing, advocating for, and allocating the judicial branch budget. A majority of Council members are California state justices and judges; however, the Council also includes lawyers, legislators, and court administrators.
By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council's staff organization seeks to continue to evolve as one of California's most dynamic public service entities, focused on improving access to justice for all Californians by innovating and responding to the changing needs of the courts and the public. As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations. As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Judicial Council strives for work-life balance, including 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 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, student loan forgiveness as part of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and retirement savings plans. The San Francisco office is only a 7-minute walk from the downtown Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is located minutes from downtown, just north of Discovery Park.
The Judicial Council offers hybrid work arrangements for many positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person at the Judicial Council's San Francisco or Sacramento office at least two days per week, based on their office leader's direction, and reside in the areas surrounding these locations. To be eligible for Judicial Council employment and participation in the Judicial Council's Hybrid Work Program, a prospective or current employee's primary residence/remote work location must be in the State of California and within a 150-mile driving radius of their assigned reporting location.
Responsibilities:
- With Supervising Attorney oversight, the attorney will provide legal services to the Judicial Council's relevant advisory committees and task forces related to firearms relinquishment, protective orders and mental health and other criminal justice related topics, as assigned.
- With Supervising Attorney approval, provide oral and written legal advice to courts on issues related to criminal law and procedure.
- Provide oral and written legal advice and criminal law subject matter expertise to other Judicial Council divisions, including Legal Services, Governmental Affairs, CJER, and Finance.
- Assist in the development of Judicial Council criminal justice policy, programs, and projects.
- Conduct legal research and analysis and draw legal conclusions. Articulate the underlying legal analyses, conclusions, alternatives, rationale, impact on courts, impact on the public, and other information to enable the committee to make appropriate and effective decisions and recommendations.
- Develop legislative, form, and rule proposals regarding criminal law and procedures, including proposals to implement criminal justice realignment and related sentencing reforms, intercounty transfers, disposition reporting, supervision revocation proceedings, evidence-based practices, and mental health issues.
- Perform legal research and analysis. Review criminal law statutes, procedures, case law, constitutional principles, and legislative histories.
- Write formal legal memoranda, letters, and emails; string analyses together.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Juris doctor and three (3) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorney.
After passing a state bar, work experience as a Law Clerk to a federal or state judge prior to formal bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.
Licensing And Certifications
Current active membership with the State Bar of California prior to hire.
Desirable Qualifications:
Other Information:
Please note, if you are selected for hire, verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work in the United States will be required.
How to Apply:
To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by November 6, 2026. However,this position is Open Until Filled. This position requires the submission of our official application, responses to the supplemental questions, a resume, and a writing sample.
To complete the online application, please click 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. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.
Supplemental Questions
To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, please provide a response to the following questions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.
Juris doctor and three (3) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorney.
After passing a state bar, work experience as a Law Clerk to a federal or state judge prior to formal bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.
Licensing And Certifications
Current active membership with the State Bar of California prior to hire.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Knowledge of firearms relinquishment policy and procedure.
- At least two years of experience as a criminal prosecutor or defense attorney in a California superior court.
- Experience as a deputy attorney general or criminal appellate attorney.
- Experience as a superior or appellate court research attorney with an emphasis in traffic and criminal law and procedure.
- Outstanding legal research, analytical, and oral and written communication skills.
- Experience researching, analyzing, and writing legal memoranda or briefs about complex areas of law.
- Ability to set priorities, produce high-quality work product under pressure, respond with flexibility to changing program demands, and work efficiently and independently but with close supervision of final work product.
- Experience with court and judicial branch administration.
- Experience drafting neutral legal opinions for clients, in particular governmental entity clients.
Other Information:
Please note, if you are selected for hire, verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work in the United States will be required.
How to Apply:
To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by November 6, 2026. However,this position is Open Until Filled. This position requires the submission of our official application, responses to the supplemental questions, a resume, and a writing sample.
To complete the online application, please click 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. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.
Supplemental Questions
To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, please provide a response to the following questions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.
- Please explain why you are interested in this position.
- Please describe your experience as an attorney working on criminal law and procedure matters including any experience working with criminal justice system partners, analyzing the impacts of public policy decisions, and providing legal advice to clients.
- Are you an active member of the California State Bar?
- Please state your date of admission to the State Bar of California.
