Attorney - Civil, Bakersfield - 024

Superior Court of California, County of Kern•Bakersfield, CA

38d•Onsite

About The Position

This recruitment is for an Associate Attorney or Senior Attorney position with the Superior Court in Bakersfield. The Associate Attorney performs research assignments, reviews pleadings, and prepares memoranda for judicial officers. The Senior Attorney performs the most complex legal work, acts as a legal advisor, and may coordinate the work of other attorneys. Both roles require extensive legal research, independent judgment, and the ability to present legal arguments clearly and logically.

Requirements

Active membership in the State Bar of California
Associate Attorney: 3 years as a practicing licensed attorney OR any combination of training, education and experience equivalent, as determined by the Court, that would provide the required knowledge and abilities for the position.
Senior Attorney: 2 years in the class of Associate Attorney or 4 years in the practice of law OR any combination of training, education and experience equivalent, as determined by the Court, that would provide the required knowledge and abilities for the position.
Knowledge of legal principles and their applications, especially with regard to civil law and motion matters.
Knowledge of legal research methods and techniques.
Knowledge of California Rules of Court, local rules of court, and judicial preferences in regard to applying the rules to law and motion write-ups.
Knowledge of theory, application, and use of bonds in civil litigation.
Knowledge of rules of evidence in the conduct of court proceedings.
Knowledge of current key or critical court decisions impacting law and motion issues.
Knowledge of policies and procedures of the Superior Court.
Ability to analyze legal concepts and apply legal principles and practices.
Ability to present arguments and standards of fact and law clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Ability to perform legal research of a technical and complex nature.
Ability to deal tactfully with the public and court personnel.
Ability to train and review the work of others if applicable.
Knowledge of legal principles, precedents and their application, statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California, principles of civil and criminal law, methods, materials and practices of legal research and writing.
Ability to present statements of fact and law and argue clearly and logically in written and oral form is required.

Nice To Haves

May have supervisory responsibility for the work of others (Associate Attorney).
May serve as a lead worker, mentoring and coordinating the duties of attorneys and other legal staff (Senior Attorney).
May oversee the work of other legal staff (Senior Attorney).

Responsibilities

Performs research assignments on behalf of the Superior Court, some involving new concepts in the law or issues lacking applicable prior legal precedents.
Reviews pleadings, motions, writs, and legal briefs submitted to the Superior Court and prepares memoranda for the judicial officers.
Researches difficult legal questions and prepares memoranda, documents and summary of alternatives for judicial officer’s consideration.
Advises the court on difficult legal questions regarding specialized areas of law.
Responds to judicial officer inquiries and prepares memoranda, documents and summaries of alternatives for the judicial officer’s and executive staff’s consideration.
Reviews cases on appeal, researches pertinent issues and law, and prepares preliminary opinion for the courts’ consideration.
Confers with judicial officers with respect to procedural and substantive legal issues and requirements of individual cases.
May serve as legal adviser to the judicial officers, judicial committees, or executive officers on specific matters before the court.
May assist with the drafting of legislative measures and other legal work required by the court.
May train, review work, and schedule assignments of the Deputy Attorney or other staff.
May preside over various Court proceedings as a hearing officer on a pro tem basis.
Performs the most complex, legal work of the court.
Acts as a legal advisor and provides technical research assistance to the court judges, executive, and managerial staff.
May plan, assign, and review the work of other attorneys.
May train, review work, and schedule assignments of other legal staff.
Reviews appealed cases; researches pertinent issues and law; and prepares preliminary opinion for the courts’ consideration.
Confers with judges, attorneys and the public with respect to procedural and substantive legal issues and requirements of individual cases.
Assists with the drafting of legislative proposals.
Writes proposed decisions on matters currently before the court; processes petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus.
Advise judges on a variety of civil and criminal issues and proceedings.
Obtains investigation reports and advises the judges as to proper disposition.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.