Administrative Attorney

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit • San Francisco, CA

2d • $89,488 - $145,507 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Circuit Executive for the Ninth Circuit (OCE) invites applications for an Administrative Attorney, with a primary focus on complaints filed under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980 (28 U.S.C. §§ 351–364). Candidates who are motivated, self-sufficient, critical thinkers with excellent organizational and communication skills are encouraged to apply. If you are interested in a position that offers an opportunity to contribute to the federal judiciary’s mission of ensuring equal justice under the law, come join our talented and diverse team at the OCE. The Administrative Attorney will report to the Assistant Circuit Executive (ACE) for Court Operations, Policy, and Legal Affairs (COPLA). The incumbent’s primary focus will be to process Judicial Conduct and Disability (JC&D) complaints and related matters pursuant to the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980, 28 U.S.C. §§ 351–364. Specifically, the incumbent will perform clerical, administrative, and technical duties to coordinate the workflow of all JC&D matters, as well as engage in substantive legal work to support the resolution of such matters. The incumbent will also provide legal and administrative support to the ACE, the Attorney Advisors and other COPLA staff, the Chief Circuit Judge, the Circuit Executive, and the Judicial Council.

Requirements

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school.
• At least one year post J.D. legal work experience consistent with the duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Active bar membership in good standing in any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Skills and experience in: o Conducting legal research, analysis, and writing. o Presenting legal recommendations orally and in writing. o Drafting clear, concise memoranda and proposed orders. o Consistently demonstrating sound ethics and judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates who can leverage technology to work efficiently and effectively.
• Knowledge of SharePoint, Excel, Westlaw/Lexis, CM/ECF, PACER, electronic case management systems/programs, data management systems/programs, and PowerPoint desired.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the initial and primary administrative and clerical point of contact for all JC&D matters, which includes: o Opening, reviewing, and processing hard-copy mail submissions from complainants to determine compliance with relevant rules; o Performing case management duties, including appropriate record retention practices, paper file organization, and calendaring deadlines; o Processing judicial orders and other legal documents for all Attorney Advisors within COPLA; o Receiving and responding to JC&D inquiries from complainants via mail and email; o Communicating with judges and providing updates regarding JC&D matters via telephone, mail, and email; o Drafting accurate, thorough, grammatical, and error-free correspondence and memos; o Inputting and maintaining data and reviewing the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of data entered; o Formatting and assembling internal reports and complying with accurate statistical reporting requirements of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; and o Responding to requests for JC&D complaint information from the FBI, ABA, or other internal vetting processes in compliance with the confidentiality requirements of 28 U.S.C.§ 360.
• Process JC&D complaints in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 351-364 , the JC&D Rules , and the Ninth Circuit’s Local Rules for Misconduct Proceedings , which includes: o Reviewing the complaint, researching the legal issues, investigating the record and underlying facts, and identifying the correct recommendation for resolving the complaint; o Analyzing and synthesizing issues in underlying civil, criminal, and bankruptcy proceedings, where applicable, for a basic understanding of the procedural and legal background of the complaint; o Preparing memoranda and drafting disposition orders; o Orally presenting the recommendation to the Chief Circuit Judge; o Effectively managing a docket of cases; o Promptly and accurately performing administrative tasks to conclude the JC&D matter; and o Monitoring and resolving petitions for review of the Chief Judge’s disposition order by preparing a recommendation memorandum for the Judicial Council.
• Assist the Chief Circuit Judge or Special Committee on JC&D related matters as necessary, including interviewing witnesses, summarizing witness interviews, drafting memoranda, coordinating the investigation, etc.
• Perform other legal, policy, and administrative support to the COPLA Unit, the OCE, and the Chief Circuit Judge as necessary.

Benefits

• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrifty Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans.
• Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.
• Other perks: eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; on-site gym at the Browning Courthouse; and potential for alternate work schedules.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees