Attorney - Criminal, Bakersfield - 038

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

About The Position

The Superior Court is hiring an Attorney - Criminal in Bakersfield, with Associate Attorney and Senior Attorney levels available. This regular full-time recruitment is open continuously and may close at any time without notice. Associate Attorneys work under general supervision, conducting legal research for the Superior Court, reviewing pleadings, motions, writs, and briefs, and preparing memoranda and other materials for judicial officers. The position is an intermediate journey-level role, with less supervision and a more complex, higher-volume caseload than the Deputy Attorney class. Senior Attorneys work under limited direction and perform the court’s most complex legal work. They advise judges and court executive and managerial staff, provide technical research assistance, and may lead, mentor, assign, and review the work of attorneys and other legal staff. This is an advanced journey/lead-worker role, distinguished from the lower Attorney level by the complexity of its research and legal duties. Applicants must submit an updated online application; résumés are not accepted in place of the required application. Recruitment updates are sent by email through governmentjobs.com. The Superior Court is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

Active membership in the State Bar of California.
For Associate Attorney: three years of experience as a practicing licensed attorney, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience as determined by the Court.
For Senior Attorney: two years in the Associate Attorney class or four years in the practice of law, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience as determined by the Court.
Ability to conduct extensive and technically complex legal research using independent judgment, discretion, and initiative.
Ability to analyze legal concepts and apply legal principles and practices.
Ability to present facts, legal standards, and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Ability to deal tactfully with the public and court personnel.
Knowledge of legal principles and their application, legal research methods and techniques, California Rules of Court, local court rules, and judicial preferences relevant to law-and-motion work.
Knowledge of rules of evidence, relevant court decisions, and Superior Court policies and procedures.
Knowledge of legal precedents; California statutory and constitutional law; civil and criminal law; and legal research and writing methods, materials, and practices.

Responsibilities

Research difficult and complex legal questions and prepare memoranda, documents, and summaries of alternatives for judicial officers, judges, or executive staff.
Advise the court and judges on legal questions and issues, including specialized areas of law and civil and criminal matters.
Review appealed cases, research pertinent issues and law, and prepare preliminary opinions for the court’s consideration.
Confer with judicial officers, judges, attorneys, and the public regarding procedural and substantive legal issues and case requirements.
Draft legislative measures or proposals and perform other legal work required by the court.
Write proposed decisions on matters before the court and process petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus.
Obtain investigation reports and advise judges regarding proper disposition.
May train and review the work of other attorneys or legal staff and schedule or coordinate assignments.
May serve as a legal adviser to judicial officers, committees, or executive officers.
May preside over court proceedings as a hearing officer on a pro tem basis.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.