Description

Under general supervision, this classification manages the staff, programs and functions of the Legal Research Division and provides technical direction and coordination pertaining to the court’s most complex legal research issues.  The incumbent will develop and implement goals, objectives, policies and standards so that cases are disposed of in a timely manner, provide professional advice to court leadership and judicial officers on a wide range of legal and administrative matters.  The incumbent will also plan, organize and manage the work of the Self-Help Division (including the court’s Family Law Facilitator), developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies and standards for programs to provide legal support services to self-represented litigants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plan, organize, direct and manage the professional operations and functions of the Legal Research and Self-Help Divisions.
• Develop, implement and interpret legal service policies and procedures and ensure that they are in accordance with applicable laws, requirements and professional legal practices.
• Oversee programs, projects, studies and reports pertaining to the legal services provided to the court.
• Provide advice and consultation regarding the court’s legal resources, policies and procedures.
• Perform supervisory duties, including hiring and training staff, assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance evaluations, participating in disciplinary actions and grievances, etc.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports the court’s mission and values.
• Monitor effectiveness of professional staff providing legal research, analysis and recommendations to judicial officers; provide advice and counsel on changes in statutes, case law, pending legislation impacting operations, policies, procedures and rules of court.
• Monitor effectiveness of Self-Help staff and programs intended to provide access to legal services to self-represented litigants to facilitate and expedite court proceedings; oversee grant applications and tracking; monitor legislated reporting processes. 
• Participate in court management meetings/discussions, and when applicable, provide recommendations and suggestions regarding court access and procedures for self-represented litigants. 
• Research, analyze, and interpret existing laws and ordinances, court decisions, pending legislation, and other legal authorities utilizing a variety of legal resources.
• Write proposed decisions for Superior Court Judicial Officers on matters currently before the court.
• Advise Judicial Officers on a variety of civil, criminal, and juvenile issues and proceedings; review and advise judges regarding petitions for Writs of Habeas Corpus and Writs of Mandate.
• Assist in drafting local Rules of Court as determined by operational needs and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Review appeals pending in the Appellate Division of the Placer County Superior Court and brief judicial officers with thorough memoranda; review daily appellate reports for case law developments.
• Establish and implement community partnerships to expand court resources and legal support services offered through the Self-Help Center.
• Provide direct one-on-one legal assistance to self-represented litigants in family law, civil, and probate cases.
• Serve as a settlement officer to facilitate settlement discussions with litigants, mediating complex family matters such as parentage, child support, temporary or permanent spousal support and divorce issues including property division, and draft clear and legally adequate written agreements.
• Design and conduct services for litigants unrepresented by counsel for the purpose of enabling the litigants to self-represent in their civil, probate or family law case.
• Produce information and resource materials for all case types to assist the public in understanding issues and resolution options; provide educational materials to the public, for example: documenting the process of establishing parentage and establishing, modifying, and/or enforcing child and spousal support in the courts.
• Cover duties of the court’s Legal Research Attorneys, Self Help Attorneys, and paralegals during absences and assist with backlog.
• May serve as the Family Law Facilitator as outlined in Family Code §10000-10015 and California Rule of Court 10.960, if functions are not performed by subordinate attorney staff.
• Attend staff and other work-related meetings, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities in order to stay informed of legal updates.
• Serve as a representative of the Court, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Court community and with the public.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school and a member of the California State Bar in good standing;

 AND

Nine (9) years in the practice of law, which shall include civil and/or criminal legal practice, or seven (7) years in the practice of law, including two (2) years in a court environment.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE BUT NOT REQUIRED:  

• Prior court experience, whether in the practice of law or performing other court employee duties.
• Experience supervising other attorneys or paralegals.