Superior Court Commissioner
About The Position
This is a full-time (40 hours per week) Court Commissioner position appointed by the Superior Court Judges. The Commissioner may act pursuant to RCW 2.24 as directed by the Superior Court Presiding Judge. Responsibilities include hearing and deciding various legal matters such as civil and guardianship/probate cases, family law cases, juvenile court cases, adult criminal matters, and involuntary treatment cases. The position also participates in Teen Court periodically, acts as an Ex Parte Judicial Officer, handles after-hours on-call duties for search warrants and weekend probable cause reviews, and implements and oversees the adult guardianship monitoring program. The Commissioner may also be directed to act in any other Judicial Officer capacity.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year college or university.
- Law degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Five (5) years of experience in the practice of law.
- Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar association.
- United States citizenship.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Knowledge of the judicial system, including but not limited to civil law, juvenile law, family law, criminal law, Skagit County Superior Court’s local rules and court procedures, statutes, legal principles, and caselaw.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships within the court and with the legal community.
- Excellent legal research and writing skills.
- Ability to manage high volume court calendars while also engaging in the requisite advance reading and preparation for all calendars.
- Ability to objectively identify, analyze, and interpret legal issues, principles, and arguments; direct and control courtroom proceedings in a decisive, orderly, and equitable manner; exercise appropriate judicial temperament and demeanor, and effectively handle pressure in difficult and unexpected situations by responding in a calm and rational manner.
- Ability to proficiently use court-based technology programs.
- Intellectual curiosity to learn more about legal issues, behavioral health, trauma-informed practices, child welfare, and other best practices as applicable to calendar and case assignments.
Responsibilities
- Act pursuant to RCW 2.24.040 as directed by the Superior Court Presiding Judge.
- Hear and decide civil and guardianship/probate matters, including adult guardianship and conservatorships, minor guardianships, probates, unlawful detainer cases, domestic violence protection orders, other orders for protection or restraints, ex parte calendars, adoptions, and other civil calendars.
- Hear and decide all types of family law cases, including dissolutions, parenting plans, child support, paternity, and support enforcement cases.
- Hear and decide juvenile court cases, including juvenile offender cases, ARY and ChINS petitions, truancies, and dependency calendars.
- Hear and decide adult criminal matters, including arraignments, preliminary appearances, probable cause determinations, setting of pretrial release conditions, reviewing applications for search warrants, and signing continuances.
- Hear and decide involuntary treatment cases, including hearings and bench trials on civil commitments conducted either at the facility or the courthouse.
- Participate in Teen Court periodically.
- Act as Ex Parte Judicial Officer as directed.
- Handle after hours on-call search warrant phone and weekend probable cause reviews on a rotating basis.
- Implement and oversee adult guardianship monitoring program as directed by the Presiding Judge.
- Hear, decide, and act in any other Judicial Officer capacity as directed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
