Closing Date: 8th December, 2025

Description:

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Managing Attorney/Family Law Facilitator, the Supervising Attorney oversees day-to-day operations for the family law unit at the Legal Self-Help Center. This position is responsible for providing general family law and limited probate services to litigants not represented by counsel. This position provides legal information, procedural assistance and help with forms for a variety of case types without representing any party or creating an attorney-client relationship. Case types include, but are not limited to, divorce, legal separation and nullity; parentage; Title IV-D child support; domestic violence restraining orders; stepparent adoptions; guardianships; and limited conservatorships. The Supervising Attorney also helps design and conduct workshops and clinics and provides other program support as directed. The Supervising Attorney plans, directs and reviews the work of; schedules assignments for; and supervises paraprofessional and other clerical staff, interns and volunteers. May oversee the work of staff attorneys, as directed.

Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives General Direction and Legal Guidance from The Managing Attorney/family Law Facilitator. the Staff Attorney Directly Supervises Paraprofessional and Administrative Support Staff and Oversees Interns and Volunteers.

Class Characteristics:
This Journey Level Class Reports to The Managing Attorney/family Law Facilitator. This Class Is Distinguished from The Managing Attorney/family Law Facilitator in That the Latter Class Plans and Directs All Court Self-Help Services, Including the Services Mandated by Family Code Section 10000-10012, and Supervises Self-Help Staff Attorneys. This Class Is Distinguished from The Research Attorney in That the Latter Performs Legal Research for Judicial Officers.

Typical Duties:
Management Reserves the Right to Add, Modify, Change, or Rescind the Work Assignments of Different Positions and To Make Reasonable Accommodations so That Qualified Employees Can Perform the Essential Functions of The Job.

Oversees Day-To-Day Operations for The Family Law Unit at The Legal Self-Help Center.
Directly Assists Self-Represented Litigants with Family Law, Guardianship and Limited Conservatorship Cases Through One-On-One Appointments, Courtroom Services and Workshops, in Person and Via Phone and Videoconference.
Prepares Orders After Hearing and Judgments.
Assists with Drafting Stipulations Agreed to By All Parties.
Provides Referrals to The Local Child Support Agencies, Family Court Services and Other Community Agencies and Resources that Provide Services for Self-Represented Litigants, with An Emphasis on Parents and Children.
Assigns, Supervises and Reviews the Work of Paraprofessional Staff, Interns and Volunteers.
Trains New Staff, Interns and Volunteers in The Processes, Procedures, Terminology and Document Preparation Necessary for Program Operations.
Assists in Developing and Providing Continuing Legal Education Presentations for Existing Staff, Interns and Volunteers.
Participates in The Development and Implementation of New Litigant Assistance Programs and Enhances Existing Programs and Services; Assists in Developing Strategies and Policies to Effectively Meet the Needs of Self-Represented Litigants and To Improve the Flow of Cases Through the Court.
Develops Informational Resources and Step-By-Step Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants in A Variety of Formats, Including Social Media Posts and How-To Videos.
Designs Content for And Conducts Clinics and Workshops for Self-Represented Litigants in A Variety of Family Law and Probate Matters.
Helps Coordinate Volunteer and Internship Programs Providing Additional Resources for The Self-Help Program; Acts as A Liaison with Schools Participating in Internship Programs.
Ensures All Federal Grant and Other Funding Requirements for Litigant Support Programs Are Met; Participates in The Development of Grant Applications; Researches and Analyzes Best Practices of Other Courts.
Assists with And/or Conducts Research on Special Projects Requested by Judicial Officers or Court Management; Maintains Liaison with Staff, Judges, Management and Other Departments or Agencies.
As Assigned, Reviews, Analyzes and Implements Legislation, Statutory Mandates, Rules of Court, and Applicable Regulations Relating to The Provision of Assistance to Self-Represented Persons.
Performs Related Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications:
Knowledge Of:

Federal and State Laws, Case Law and Procedural Rules and Regulations Applicable to Area of Assigned Responsibility, Including, but Not Limited To: Title Iv-D of The Social Security Act, California Family Code, California Probate Code, California Code of Civil Procedure, California Evidence Code, California Rules of Court and Sonoma County Local Rules of Court.
Case Flow, Hearing and Trial Procedures Applicable to Family Law, Guardianship and Limited Conservatorship Cases, Including Divorce, Legal Separation, Nullity, Parentage, Title Iv-D Child Support, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Stepparent Adoptions, Guardianships and Limited Conservatorships;
Principles and Practices of Supervision Applicable to Paraprofessional and Clerical Staff, Interns and Volunteers.
General Functions and Organization of The Judicial System, Including Areas of Litigation and The Roles and Functions of Other Legal and Law Enforcement Agencies;
Principles and Practices of Case and Calendar Management.
Psychological Aspects of Domestic Violence Cases.
Trauma-Informed Communication Skills.
Program and Policy Development and Implementation.
Use of Essential Forms Software and Online Document Assembly Programs, Such as Odyssey Guide & File and Law Help Interactive.
Use of Support Calculation Programs, Including Xspouse and The Department of Child Support Services Online Guideline Calculator.
Law-Related Resources and Community-Based Organizations and Referral Services for Litigants with Family Law, Guardianship and Limited Conservatorship Issues.

Ability To:

Supervise, Train and Review the Work of Others;
Exercise Judgment to Choose Among Possible Options Often without Clear Precedents;
Train Staff in Applying Professional Principles Within the Court System;
Establish Rapport with Litigants and Effectively Assist Litigants Under Stressful Circumstances;
Identify and Utilize Support Services and Community Resources;
Prepare Concise Reports and Records, Develop and Conduct Independent Research Projects;
Review and Synthesize Literature, Codes, Laws, Records as Related to Relevant Area of Law;
Understand and Interpret the Effect of Legislative Changes on Family Law and Probate Self-Help Services;
Work and Communicate Effectively with People of Diverse Socioeconomic Backgrounds and Temperaments;
Utilize Research Methods and Statistical Analysis Techniques;
Analyze, Interpret and Explain Legal Principles and Issues;
Understand, Interpret, Explain and Apply Local, State and Federal Policy, Laws and Regulations Applicable to The Family Law and Probate Self-Help Program;
Prepare Clear, Concise and Comprehensive Studies, Reports, Correspondence and Other Written Materials;
Communicate Clearly and Effectively Both Orally and In Writing to Different Audiences and Facilitate Understanding/agreement;
Present Proposals and Recommendations Clearly, Logically and Persuasively;
Operate a Computer and Use Standard Business and Case Management Software;
Use Tact and Diplomacy Dealing Working with Sensitive and Complex Issues, Situations and Concerned People;
Establish and Maintain Effective Working Relationships with All Those Encountered in The Course of Work, Including Judicial Officers and Staff, Members of The Bar, Other Governmental and Community Agencies, and Program Customers;

Minimum Education and Experience:

Graduation from An Accredited College or University with A Juris Doctor (j.D.) Degree.
Two (2) Years of Experience in The Practice of Law with Emphasis in Family Law Matters; Proficiency in Family Law Support and Forms Software Programs; and A Basic Understanding of The Law and Psychological Issues Related to Domestic Violence.

Highly Desirable Qualifications:

Ability to Speak, Read and Write in Spanish.
Experience Providing Legal Services to Underserved Communities.
Experience in Family Law Litigation.
Experience with Guardianships And/or Limited Conservatorships.
Experience in A Supervisory or Lead Capacity.

Licenses and Certifications:

Active Membership in Good Standing in The State Bar of California.
A Valid California Class C Driver's License and The Ability to Maintain Proof of Liability Insurance in Accordance with Court Policy or The Ability to Utilize an Alternative Method of Transportation when Needed to Carry out Job-Related Essential Functions.

Process to Apply
Please Apply Online At: Http://sonoma.Courts.Ca.Gov/info/jobs

Application Submissions Require the Supplemental Questionnaire Be Completed. the Selection Procedure Will Consist of