Appellate Attorney - District Court DDA or Senior DDA

Jefferson County CO • Golden, CO

2d • $106,000 - $184,000

About The Position

Appellate attorneys provide expertise in appeals and other post-conviction relief for the First Judicial District Attorney's Office. Appellate attorneys are responsible for interlocutory appeals, request for relief under Appellate Rule 21, and appeals of legal rulings resulting in case dismissals. Under limited supervision, the Appellate Section answers appeals from county court and district court and files appeals in the Court of Appeals when post conviction relief is granted. Appellate attorneys also respond to appeals of driver's license revocations on behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Duties include writing and filing briefs and other pleadings consistent with these responsibilities. On occasion, Appellate attorneys argue in front of the district or appellate courts. Other duties include providing legal advice to the Victims' Compensation Board, assisting with responses to Criminal Justice Records Act requests, and filing motions to quash subpoenas. Although Appellate attorneys do not respond to all post-conviction motions filed in the First Judicial District, the Appellate section responds to and attends hearings on post-conviction motions filed in major cases. As part of this position, work with the Conviction Integrity Unit may be assigned. This work includes cases where an individual claims innocence of the crimes for which they are convicted, cases in which an individual requests a sentence reconsideration, and responses to requests from the Governor’s Office concerning petitions for clemency. The successful candidate will review the application materials, the underlying case materials, provide a detailed analysis of the merits and respond to the Governor’s Office as required. The successful candidate will be intimately familiar with the law pertaining to post-conviction motions in order to assist other deputies, file responses, and represent the District Attorney's Office at hearings on post-conviction motions. Experience in handling appeals and writing legal briefs and handling a trial docket are desired but not required. District Court DDAs have less than eight years relevant experience and Senior DDAs have more than eight years relevant experience. This position will be a District Court DDA or Senior DDA depending on experience.

Requirements

• 8 years work related experience
• JD Required
• Criminal History and MVR Background Checks are for every position.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in handling appeals and writing legal briefs and handling a trial docket are desired but not required.
• Ideal candidates possess a capacity for fairness and empathy, a strong work ethic, an ability to manage a significant workload, and sound problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• An Appellate attorney is expected to stay current on all statutory and case law, and may be called upon to teach at both in-house and outside trainings.
• Appellate attorneys, on occasion, review jury instructions and may handle some or all of the motions in significant cases where a large number of non-evidentiary motions are anticipated.
• The successful candidate will have knowledge of legal research, investigation methodology, judicial procedure, rules of evidence, methods and practices of pleadings, established precedents, ethical guidelines, professional standards, regulations, and federal, state, and local laws.

Responsibilities

• Writing and filing briefs and other pleadings
• Arguing in front of the district or appellate courts
• Providing legal advice to the Victims' Compensation Board
• Assisting with responses to Criminal Justice Records Act requests
• Filing motions to quash subpoenas
• Work with the Conviction Integrity Unit may be assigned
• Review the application materials
• Provide a detailed analysis of the merits and respond to the Governor’s Office as required
• Assist other deputies, file responses, and represent the District Attorney's Office at hearings on post-conviction motions

Benefits

• This position is eligible for Standard Benefits which includes dental, medical, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement matching, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees