Description:
The ideal candidate:OGC seeks an exceptional attorney with experience advising on issues related to the State Bar's status as a public agency, including: advising on laws such as the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Political Reform Act, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and the Government Claims Act; responding to CPRA requests; interpreting statutes, rules, and regulations governing the State Bar, including the State Bar Act, California Rules of Court pertaining to attorney regulation, and Rules of the State Bar; and/or general governance matters. Additionally, it is preferred that the candidate has experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts, including service agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs), as well as advising clients on legal and regulatory requirements concerning contracts. This position will also involve regular work for OGC's Complaint Review Unit, which reviews decisions by the State Bar's Office of Chief Trial Counsel to close attorney misconduct complaints without pursuing disciplinary charges.
The ideal candidate should be a strategic thinker, adept at anticipating legal challenges, and proactively developing solutions. They should have a strong work ethic and thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, capable of juggling multiple high-priority projects without compromising on quality or attention to detail.
Being a natural collaborator is imperative to this position. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively with colleagues within the OGC and throughout the State Bar.
The ideal candidate will also embody the State Bar's core values, particularly growth mindset, clarity, respect, and excellence. Additionally, they should align with the State Bar's mission, strategic plan, and goals of the office.
Definition:
Attorney II
Under general supervision, the Attorney II performs legal work under general direction of the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel and/or Attorney V (collectively “Management”), with progressively increasing degree of complexity and independence that includes the identification of legal issues, recommendations of appropriate action; resolution of legal problems; interpretation and application of laws, rules, regulations, and other legal authorities; legal research; and analysis; preparation of legal documents, opinions, and other memoranda; and litigation activities. The Attorney II handles assigned litigation, may take lead responsibility in case/project management presentations, and may assist in the formulation, determination, and effectuation of management policies of the State Bar.
Attorney III
Under direction and with a progressively increasing degree of complexity and independence, the Attorney III performs complex legal work that includes the identification of legal issues; recommendations of appropriate action; resolution of legal problems; interpretation and application of laws, rules, regulations, and other legal authorities; legal research and analysis; preparation of legal documents, opinions, and other memoranda, and litigation activities. The Attorney III handles assigned litigation, frequently takes lead responsibility in case/project management presentations, and assists in the formulation, determination, and effectuation of management policies of the State Bar.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Attorney II differs from the Attorney III in that the latter handles a more complex and voluminous caseload, works under less supervision, and may also serve as a lead over a small team of attorneys and/or administrative and professional staff.
The Attorney III differs from the Attorney IV in that the latter has a more complex caseload and serves in a lead capacity over other attorneys and/or administrative and professional staff.
Examples of Essential Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
When Assigned to the Office of General Counsel:
Attorney II
- Maintains close working relationships with Management, and subject matter supervisors, to whom they are assigned in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position.
- Coordinates the work of other staff necessary to perform assigned responsibilities and may participate in the training of other personnel.
- Responsible for increasingly complex matters of difficulty, with the expectation of producing favorable results.
- Handling litigation matters, including responding to complaints, propounding and responding to discovery, substantive motions, and hearings, up to and including trial.
- Conducting “second look” reviews of complaints filed against attorneys that have been closed by the Office of Chief Trial Counsel without taking any action, and determining whether to recommend further actions with respect to such complaints.
- Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities of an increasingly complex nature and is responsible for the preparation of legal documents, pleadings, memoranda, reports, opinions, and other materials of an increasingly complex nature.
- Prepares for and completes cases, projects, presentations, and other assignments of an increasingly complex nature.
- Coordinates with other attorneys, volunteers, and other constituencies as assigned.
- Ensures the adequate, effective, and timely preparation, presentation, and completion of investigations, cases, and/or legal projects assigned.
- Keeps informed concerning the applicable law, rules, procedures, policies, and practices relating to their function.
- Assists in the effectuation and/or formulation of management policy and represents and counsels management with respect to assigned matters. May perform a number of other similar or related duties which may not be specifically included within this position description but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.
- Maintains close working relationships with Management, subject matter supervisors, and members of the team to which they are assigned in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position.
- Coordinates the work of other staff necessary to perform assigned responsibilities and may participate in the training of other personnel.
- Responsible for handling complex matters, with the expectation of producing favorable results.
- Handling litigation matters, including responding to complaints, propounding and responding to discovery, substantive motions, and hearings, up to and including trial.
- Conducting “second look” reviews of complaints filed against attorneys that have been closed by the Office of Chief Trial Counsel without taking any action and determining whether to recommend further actions with respect to such complaints.
- Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities that are more complex than those handled by Attorney IIs and is responsible for the preparation of legal documents, pleadings, memoranda, reports, opinions, and other materials.
- Prepares for and completes cases, projects, presentations, and other assignments of a more complex nature.
- Coordinates with other attorneys, volunteers, and other constituencies as assigned.
- Ensures the adequate, effective, and timely preparation, presentation, and completion of investigations, cases, and/or legal projects assigned.
- Keeps informed and assures that subordinate staff is informed concerning the applicable law, rules, procedures, policies, and practices relating to their function.
- May participate in the effectuation and/or formulation of management policy and represents and counsels management with respect to human resources issues.
- Evaluates administrative problems and procedures and recommends solutions and or alternative methods or procedures.
- Assumes a senior-level role in advising management in the effectuation and/or formulation of management policy.
- Provides substantive and procedural guidance to lower-level Attorneys.
- Provides direction to, and reviews the work of, non-attorney staff.
- May perform a number of other similar or related duties which may not be specifically included within this position description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.
Employment Standards:
Attorney II
Knowledge of:
- Substantive knowledge of law, rules, decisions, practices, and procedures of the State Bar, California Supreme Court, State Bar Court, and California Legislature.
- Substantive knowledge of effective investigation techniques, case management, and presentation of matters to administrative bodies.
- Scope and character of federal and California statutory law and provisions of the federal and California constitutions.
- Rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial and appellate courts in California.
- Rules and procedures related to public meetings.
- Principles of effective work coordination and strong case/project management.
- Advanced analytical skills.
- Principles of effective time management.
- Principles of oral advocacy.
- Strong writing and oral communication skills.
- Strong legal research and writing skills.
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