Supervising Judicial Staff Attorney (Internal Only) at Fresno Superior Court – Fresno, California

Please note the anticipated recruitment activity date (subject to change):

Selection Interviews- Tuesday, March 25, 2025

All application materials must be received in NeoGov to be considered for review. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted. A resume will not be considered in lieu of a completed application.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Managing Judicial Staff Attorney, provide administrative and technical supervision to a designated group of Judicial Staff Attorneys (JSA), Examiners and Interns to ensure that the judicial officers to whom the attorneys are assigned receive timely and competent legal research support for their law and motion calendars. The Supervising Judicial Staff Attorney (JSA) will provide legal services of a complex nature to judicial officers on issues before the court. The incumbent will assist the Managing Judicial Staff Attorney with recruitment and training, development of procedures and processes and may perform legal research projects for Judicial or Executive leaders.

Incumbents in this classification must be an attorney who is an active member of the State Bar of California and possess a minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in the practice of law, which must include extensive experience as a court Judicial Staff Attorney. The incumbent will assist in recruiting, hiring, orienting and training JSAs, Examiners, and Interns to perform their jobs competently; supervise performance of their assigned attorneys, and assist in preparing performance evaluations and provide feedback to improve employee performance. Additionally, the incumbent must possess thorough knowledge of legal principles, precedents and their application; the use of legal reference works including case and statutory law; and the use of legal terms and procedures. In addition, the Supervising JSA is expected to appropriately apply their independent judgement and established authority towards supervising the staff in the research department; possess the ability to calmly and effectively address complex situations and suggest and implement solutions. As such, Incumbents also assist the Managing Judicial Staff Attorney in developing procedures, policies, and guidelines and, at the direction of the Managing Judicial Staff Attorney, perform complex legal research for special judicial or administrative support projects. Incumbents may perform some of the duties of a Managing Judicial Staff Attorney as needed due to unavailability of the Managing Judicial Staff Attorney.

Supervising Judicial Staff Attorneys are distinguished from Judicial Staff Attorneys I - Sr. in that incumbents in the former class perform supervisory and administrative functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS – TYPICAL TASKS:

Essential functions are the fundamental job duties regularly performed by an incumbent in this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

All duties are subject to limitations established in the Court Human Resources policies and guidelines. All duties are performed in accordance with federal and California law, Rules of Court, and established local rules and procedures.

• Conduct self-directed independent research to keep the Research Department and court up-to-date on any changes in the law or procedures;
• Provide guidance to JSAs, Examiners and Interns in interpreting laws, cases, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Assist in scheduling, assigning, and reviewing the workload of the Research Department;
• Train and coach department members for professional development and improved performance;
• Assist with developing and implementing policies and procedures for the department and other departments as requested;
• Assist in planning and presenting educational materials and training programs for the department;
• Perform research on a variety of legal topics, including Civil, Criminal, Family law, Probate and Juvenile;
• Respond to questions from judicial officers, administrators, or court staff on general legal issues and matters pending before the Court. May also draft correspondence to counsel and litigants regarding matters pending before the Court;
• Review and approve employee timecards, maintain attendance grids, and approve/deny time-off requests;
• Perform a full range of supervisory duties, including selection and evaluation of subordinate personnel in the performance of their duties; and maintenance of performance and disciplinary standards;
• Attends court meetings and participate on assigned committees;
• Serve as a Skelly meeting officer when requested;
• Monitor current resource needs and assist in projecting future needs including staffing;
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Possession of a Law Degree from an accredited law school.

AND

License: Membership in the State Bar of California is required.

Experience: Eight (8) years of work experience as an attorney.

License: Possession of valid Class "C" California Driver's License or the ability to travel between Court locations as assigned.

Desired: At least four (4) years required experience as an attorney be obtained as a Judicial Staff Attorney at the Superior Court level.

EXPECTED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

As applicable to assigned areas of responsibility:

Knowledge of:

• Court policies and procedures and awareness of the objectives of the Court;
• Principles and practices regarding the practice of law in the State of California;
• Statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California;
• Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research and writing;
• Rules of Court, California laws, codes, and statutes applicable to the Court;
• Legal research programs, including but not limited to Lexis Nexis and WestLaw;
• Effective supervisory techniques that promote a positive work environment and team work;
• Principles of office organization, practices, and procedures including recordkeeping;
• Office equipment, automated case management systems, and software applications.

Skill and Ability to:

• Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand;
• Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen and to understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences;
• Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand;
• Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing;
• Meet deadlines and manage competing priorities;
• Assess the accuracy and importance of information and gather, organize, and maintain information in way that facilitates its retrieval/reference;
• Communicate clearly, concisely, accurately and appropriately for the intended audience, whether verbally or in writing;
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences and to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing;
• Analyze and appraise legal problems and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents;
• Present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form;
• Review, analyze and maintain a working knowledge of current changes in the law;
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work;
• Monitor and assess performance of individuals to suggest and implement improvements or corrective action;
• Formulate and implement project objectives and priorities, consistent with court interests;
• Use initiative and independent judgement within established procedural guidelines;
• Respond appropriately to sensitive and/or confidential issues; and
• Provide quality customer service, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, court employees, members of the public, and others encountered in the course of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS: The incumbent will primarily work in a climate-controlled office setting under artificial lighting. Incumbent may also be required to travel and occasionally may be exposed to a variety of altering weather conditions (extreme cold or hot weather).

Physical Demands:

• Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and other office equipment on a daily basis and for extended periods of time;
• Fine finger manipulation, dexterity, and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper;
• Forceful and repetitive gripping, grasping, and pinching;
• Occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. such as files, stacks of paper, and other materials;
• Frequent reaching for items on shelves, above, at, and below desk/shoulder level;
• Exerts up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move, torque, twist, push, and pull objects;
• Frequently sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods; and frequently walk, move, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch;
• Able to traverse inside and outside over uneven ground and pavement;
• Employees are regularly required to verbally communicate both in person and by telephone;
• Corrected hearing and vision to normal range.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying. Court employees shall be subject to a modified background investigation and fingerprinting. False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated, if necessary, should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.