Attorney II (JO#6209)

JOB TITLE: ATTORNEY II
LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO OR SACRAMENTO, CA
JOB OPENING: 6209

OVERVIEW
The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Attorney II for the Center for Families, Children & the Courts. As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations. As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Position is a legal subject matter expert on the Judicial Council’s Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act implementation The CARE Act establishes a statewide court‐based mental health services engagement and oversight program for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. Position reports to the Supervising Attorney of the CARE Act Implementation team, and is responsible for legal analysis and legal writing related to implementation of the CARE Act (Senate Bill 1338 [(Umberg; Stats. 2022, ch. 319)]). The position provides legal guidance to the Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee of the Judicial Council through analyzing legal issues related to the CARE Act; develops Rules of Court and court forms required to implement CARE Act proceedings; performs a range of legal counsel and advisory functions as a liaison to local courts, including analyzing and evaluating local CARE Act practice and procedure; develops legal information materials for use in implementing CARE Act procedures; and serves as legal subject matter expert to other Judicial Council advisory committees, other Judicial Council offices, and Office leadership on CARE Act implementation.

The Judicial Council strives for work life balance and includes substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package including pension, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending, a public transit stipend for commuting costs, and retirement savings plans. It is preferred to fill the position for the San Francisco office, but applicants for the Sacramento office will be considered.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide legal guidance to the Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee of the Judicial Council through analyzing legal issues related to the CARE Act, recommending how to present the legal issues for consideration, preparing drafts of a proposal (California Rules of Court and Judicial Council forms) for consideration, and drafting written reports and memorandum which frame the policy issues, provide analysis of legal issues, and assess the implementation and operational impact of the proposal on the courts.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to aid the Committee in assessing recommended changes to rules, forms and standards for CARE Act cases.
• Draft memorandum and reports for consideration by the Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee and the Judicial Council. This includes writing a memorandum entitled “Invitation to Comment”, which announces the proposal to the public and aims to garner public feedback; and writing a “Report to the Judicial Council”, which includes the Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee’s recommendation with respect to the proposal. Preparation of these reports involves research, analysis, and evaluation of legal issues, presenting legal, policy, and implementation/court impact issues, and assessing possible alternatives for committee consideration and discussion.
• Perform a range of legal counsel and advisory functions as a liaison to local courts, including analyzing and evaluating local CARE Act practice and procedure, preparing memoranda with legal guidance to ensure that judicial officers and court professionals comply with current state law, and providing training and technical assistance as requested.
• Develop legal information materials and educational content for use in implementing CARE Act procedures and provide training to courts and justice partners.
• Serve as legal subject matter expert to other Judicial Council advisory committees, other Judicial Council offices, and Office leadership on CARE Act implementation.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
Juris Doctor, and four (3) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorney.

After passing the state bar, work experience as a Law Clerk to a federal judge prior to formal state bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS
Current active membership with the State Bar of California prior to hire.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in court program development and implementation; legal proficiency mental health, probate conservatorships.

SKILLS
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and/or ordinances;
• Substantive and procedural principles of California and federal statutory and case law;
• Principles and methods of legal research and analysis;
• Methods of electronic legal research;
• Principles and methods of legal writing;
• Rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in California courts;
• Principles of constitutional, statutory, and case law;
• Principles and practice of California law and procedures in specific subject matter areas such as
• appellate, civil, criminal, family, juvenile, probate, and traffic, as assigned;
• Principles and practices of California and federal employment and labor law, as assigned;
• Principles and practices of California real property law, as assigned;
• Principles and practices of California public finance and construction, as assigned;
• Principles and practice of court administration, as assigned;
• California and federal legislative process, as assigned;
• Principles and methods of litigation management, as assigned;
• Applicable work rules and policies; and
• Applicable business equipment and desktop applications.

KNOWLEDGE OF
• Providing legal research and writing;
• Applying legal principles and precedents to facts;
• Presenting statements of fact, law, and argument clearly, concisely, and logically;
• Managing litigation and legal strategy;
• Providing critical thinking and analysis of complex materials;
• Listening and considering different points of view;
• Building consensus and resolving conflicts;
• Public speaking;
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands;
• Drafting legal instructions, opinions, guides, correspondence and reports;
• Utilizing a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned;
• Effectively communicating; and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, and the public.

HOW TO APPLY
To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by May 1st 2024 for earliest review, but the position will remain open until filled.

It is required that you attach your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and response to the supplemental questions.

To complete an online application, please go to https://www.courts.ca.gov/careers.htm and search for JO# 6209.

The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation. Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (415) 865-4272.

Other Information
Please note: If you are selected for hire, verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work in the United States will be required.

PAY & BENEFITS
Monthly Salary Range:
$ 12,615 - $15,136 per month
Some highlights of our benefits package include:
• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
• Pre-Tax Parking Savings Program
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401 (k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Long Term Care Disability (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Questionnaire For Attorney II

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, we will review your responses to the following questions. Please indicate for which employer you performed these functions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.

1. Please explain why you are interested in this position and what skills would you bring to it.
2. Explain your knowledge of the CARE Act and what issues you believe the JC implementation team will need to address.
3. Please state your date of admission to the State Bar of California.