Research Attorney - Complex Civil

Monterey County Superior Court is accepting applications for a Research Attorney- Complex Civil. Applications will be reviewed and considered on a competitive basis weekly until the position has been filled.
In order to be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit all of the following documents:

• Application
• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Legal writing sample of 1 to 20 pages

Failure to post all required documents will automatically result in being eliminated from the recruitment.
After a thorough review, those candidates who best exhibit the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities in their application materials will be invited to continue the recruitment process, which may include:

• Pre-Interview Skills Assessment / Written Exam and
• Panel Interview(s).

The Research Attorney, under the direction of the Superior Court judges and the Superior Court Executive Officer, is responsible for performing high-quality and timely legal research and writing on behalf of the judicial officers, examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations in matters before the court.

Research Attorneys provide legal advice and counsel to the court in one or more of the following areas: criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, writs and appeals, and habeas petitions.

All qualified applicants will be considered. Special preference will be given to applicants who have knowledge and experience in land use, water rights and CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act).

Examples of Duties:
Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

• Provides written memoranda that reviews and summarizes evidence and procedural history, sets forth legal contentions, identifies and analyzes factual and legal issues, presents legal authorities, and makes recommendations to judicial officers.
• Briefs judges on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the court, identifies and discusses unresolved issues necessary for disposition, and recommends dispositions.
• Confers with and responds to judges' inquiries on procedural and substantive issues arising during trial and hearings.
• Reviews pleadings, written legal reports, opinions, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
• Drafts proposed decisions and orders for matters reviewed and/or taken under submission.
• Reviews and analyzes court procedures and rules, prepares reports and recommendations regarding the impact of statutory changes.
• May assist with planning, organizing and reviewing the work of legal interns.
• Prepares memoranda, archives work products and performs online research.
• .Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Examples of Experience and Training
Education and Experience:
Completion of all coursework and obtaining a Juris Doctorate or Bachelor of Law degree from an accredited law school; active membership in the California State Bar in good standing, including maintaining compliance with mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements, and

Two or more years' experience as a licensed attorney or other equivalent experience which demonstrates strong legal research and writing skills (e.g. law review, moot court, internships, clerkships, etc.) is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough Knowledge of:

• Legal principles and their application.
• Legal research methods and techniques, both online (Westlaw and/or LexisNexis) and manual.
• Using legal reference works including case law, statutory law and treatises.
• Rules of evidence, court procedures and the conduct of court proceedings.

Working knowledge of:
One or more of the following areas: Civil, Family, Probate, Delinquency, Dependency, Writs and Appeals. Skill and ability to:

• Analyze difficult and complex legal problems and apply legal principles.;
• Use excellent judgment, logic, and analytical skills in the review and analysis of legal documents and other legal research, and in the identification of central or secondary issues.
• Clearly and logically present arguments, statements of facts and points of law, both orally and in writing.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive correspondence, reports and memoranda, and conform case workups to individual judicial preferences.
• Adapt to a changing schedule while adhering to court deadlines.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Coordinate assigned work with judicial officers, support and administrative staff.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Learn new areas of law.
• Analyze and plan projects. 11.Use a computer and case management programs.

Other Information:

Required Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment, the incumbent will be required to:

• Successfully pass a background investigation.
• Possess a valid current California class C license, (or) the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation approved by the hiring authority.
• Applicants must have a reputation for honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. Convictions, depending upon the type, number and date, may be disqualifying.
• Not make false statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.