Staff Attorney I

JOB DEFINITION: Under general direction, this professional level position performs legal research activities on behalf of the court by examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations for resolving issues before the court.
Will conduct ex parte hearings and related matters; conduct status review conferences.
EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL: The Court Staff Attorney I classification is established as an "at-will" position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the direction of the Court Executive Officer.
The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in the position of Court Staff Attorney I at any time, with or without advance notice or cause.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the entry worker level of the Staff Attorney series.
Incumbents are expected to perform professional legal work and research within guidance and supervision from more experienced staff.
This class differs from Staff Attorney II in that Staff Attorney II is the fully experienced, journey level with incumbents expected to perform the more complex legal work and special projects with minimal guidance and supervision.
Staff Attorney I incumbents will be expected to increasingly perform more complex work with less guidance.
In addition, Staff Attorney incumbents will develop special expertise in specific areas of the law.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES The following duties are normal for this position.
The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification.
Other duties may be required and assigned.
Review and summarize evidence, procedural history, and legal contentions on matters before the courtIdentify and analyze factual and legal issues relevant to the disposition of matters.
Research legal authoritiesBrief judges (verbally and/or in writing) on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the court, identify and discuss unresolved issues necessary for the disposition of matters, and formulate dispositionsRespond to judges' inquiries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and hearingsAttend and assist at trials and hearings, conduct reviews of documents at the request of judgesPrepare pleadings, written legal reports, opinions, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedingsMay serve as legal adviser to the court judicial officers, staff, or judicial committees on specific matters before the courtMay assist with the drafting of legislative measures and other legal work required by the courtConfer with counsel and other parties, conduct informal hearings, and review case files, legal documents and exhibitsConduct ex parte hearings; approve ex parte orders/applicationsConduct status review conferences in civil mattersRespond to Citizen complaintServe as Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Representative by reviewing rules, policies, etc.
and coordinating the implementation of the program and any changesAttend training as offered and/or directed.
Travel to off-site courts, as neededMust work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlinesMust, at all times, demonstrate cooperative behavior with co-workers, and managementFollow Court Rules and Regulations, Safety Procedures and Court Code of EthicsMaintain professional appearance and demeanorOther duties as assigned Supervisory Duties: NoneWORK HOURSEight (8) hour workday with additional time per the Court's needs.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data.
Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data, and information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
Physical Ability: Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and other office equipment on a daily basis and for extended periods of timeFine finger manipulations, dexterity, and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paperForceful and repetitive gripping, grasping, and pinchingOccasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs.
Frequent reaching for items on shelves, above, at, and below desk/shoulder levelExert up to 20 lbs.
of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs.
of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move, torque, twist, push, and pull objectsFrequently sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods; and frequently walk, move, bend, stoop, lift, and stretchAble to move to different locations such as, but not limited to: courtrooms, clerk's office, various departments, other court facilities, and desk assignments based on the operational needs of the CourtAble to traverse inside and outside over uneven ground and pavementPerform repetitive writing, typing, copyingEmployees are regularly required to verbally communicate both in person and by telephoneCorrected hearing and vision to normal range Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals.
Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Convictions, depending on the type, number, and date, may be disqualifying.
Court employees shall be subject to a modified background investigation and fingerprinting.
False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.