District Court Staff Attorney

Douglas County•Ne, NE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The District Court Staff Attorney works under the direction of the District Court Lead Staff Attorney or designee and performs complex professional legal work, research, and consultation for the Court and its staff. The position assists judges with trials, hearings, appeals, and other litigated matters by researching and analyzing legal authorities, reviewing case materials, and preparing legal memoranda, proposed orders, and jury instructions. The role also supports the Law Clerk Program when the Lead Staff Attorney is absent, assists in the Law Library/Self Help Center, and performs special projects. Work is generally performed in a quiet office setting. Hours are typically standard day shift hours, although schedules may vary and may include weekends and overtime or extra hours. The work may involve time constraints, changing priorities, limited resources, and interactions with uncooperative or irate individuals. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD).
Licensed to practice law in the State of Nebraska.
Good standing with the Nebraska State Bar Association.
Three years of experience practicing law, including experience as an attorney working as a judicial law clerk.
Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional-offer drug screen.
Equivalent combinations of education and work experience may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.
Ability to perform required physical activities, including extended sitting; frequent standing, walking, and reaching; occasional kneeling, bending, crouching, and stooping; and lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, and touch; visual abilities include close, distance, and color vision and adjusting focus, correctable to normal ranges.
Ability to talk and hear within normal ranges.
Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.

Responsibilities

Research, study, and annotate laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities.
Assist the Court with trials, hearings, appeals, and other litigated matters, including attending legal proceedings.
Review case files, briefs, motions, and exhibits; summarize and outline legal issues for judges.
Prepare legal memoranda, proposed written orders, and proposed jury instructions, applying relevant legal principles and providing recommendations to the requesting Judge.
Maintain effective work relationships with judges, bailiffs, supervisors, coworkers, other agencies, and the public.
Comply with department policies and applicable laws to support a cooperative, safe, respectful, and quality work environment.
Follow the principles of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including confidentiality, impartiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
Provide work assignment and review functions for the Law Clerk Program during the Lead Staff Attorney’s absence.
Assist in the Law Library/Self Help Center.
Perform special projects, attend meetings and trainings, and maintain job knowledge and skills through research, meetings, webinars, seminars, conferences, and continuing education.
Maintain regular, consistent attendance.
Perform other duties as assigned and directed.