Staff Attorney

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Judicial and Attorney Regulation (OJAR) has an immediate opening for a Screening/Research Staff Attorney. OJAR represents three agencies of the Indiana Supreme Court: 1) the Judicial Qualifications Commission, 2) the Judicial Nomination Commission, and 3) the Disciplinary Commission. The successful candidate for this position will be responsible for initial screening and preliminary investigation of written and electronic complaints alleging judicial ethical misconduct and/or alleging attorney ethical misconduct. This position will conduct any legal research raised by alleged misconduct and make evidence-based recommendations on whether to dismiss a complaint or whether to advance the matter for further investigation. The position also requires providing informal advice to judicial officers and attorneys who have questions on ethical issues and drafting advisory opinions for approval by the Commissions. The position further requires presenting on ethical issues to judges and/or lawyers. A juris doctorate and an active Indiana law license are required. The position requires extensive writing, attention to detail, keen analysis, and excellent communication skills. The successful candidate will also handle additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

A Juris Doctorate and an active Indiana law license is required.
Must be a member in good standing with the Indiana Bar.
Integrity: Exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials. Maintain personal and business affairs in a manner that ensures public confidence in the integrity, competence, impartiality, and independence of the judiciary as well as avoid situations that could lead to a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict.
Decision-Making: Critical thinking using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Demonstrate an understanding of the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Be willing to take direction from supervisors and make decisions for the greater good of the agency. Engage in collaborative decision-making with team members and supervisors that is consistent with the vision of the agency.
Professionalism: Interact with all people in a respectful manner, maintain business-like appearance, and promote harmony in the workplace. Interact with executive branch agencies, federal agencies, and judicial officers in a manner that promotes confidence and respect in the Office of Judicial Administration.
Communication: Communicate effectively and respectfully with team members, supervisors, and staff in other divisions of the Office of Judicial Administration. Communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Organization: Effectively manage time to ensure tasks and projects are properly prioritized and completed in a timely manner.
Attention to Detail: Research, coordinate, and track work in a proficient manner to ensure accuracy.
Problem Solving: Identify problems and review related information to develop and implement solutions. Use deductive reasoning skills to meet several complimentary goals.
Information Gathering: Analyze information from multiple databases to complete clear and concise reports.
Technology and Tool Usage: Learn and adapt to new technologies within the Microsoft Suite as well as Supreme Court systems.
Extensive writing, attention to detail, keen analysis, and excellent communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Handle additional duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Screening and preliminary investigation matters on behalf of the Commissions and for recommending which matters should be summarily dismissed by the Commissions and which matters should be fully investigated by the Commissions.
Reviewing written and electronic complaints submitted by the public alleging ethical misconduct by judicial officers and/or attorneys and evaluating whether the matters raise a potential violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct or the Rules of Professional Conduct.
For matters raising potential issues of ethical misconduct by judicial officers, drafting initial request for response from judicial officer, reviewing the subsequent response, and recommending whether further investigation is warranted.
For matters raising potential issues of ethical misconduct by attorneys, recommend sending an initial request for response from attorney, reviewing the subsequent response, and recommending whether further investigation is warranted.
Briefly summarizing complaints that do not raise issues of ethical misconduct for consideration to be summarily dismissed by the Commissions.
Drafting legal memoranda on whether to open an investigation on the Commissions’ own motion (on potential matters of judicial and attorney ethical misconduct that are not initiated by a complaint).
Drafting formal advisory opinions for approval by the Commissions on application of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Rules of Professional Conduct to general situations.
Assisting with compiling materials for Judicial Qualifications Commission and Disciplinary Commission meetings.
Assisting with presenting on ethical issues to judicial officers and attorneys.

Benefits

Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness program (offers a premium discount for the medical plan and gift cards)
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid new parent leave; Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave; Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Group life insurance
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Hybrid Option for eligible employees/positions