Court Research Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DEFINITION Review Dates: September 25, October 2, October 9, 2026. Ventura Superior Court is accepting applications to fill a vacancy and establish a list for future vacancies. Under general supervision, this professional level represented 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.

TYPICAL DUTIES May include, but are not limited to the following: May include, but are not limited to the following: Reviews and summarizes in writing arguments, evidence, and procedural history on matters submitted to the Court; Identifies and analyzes legal authorities relevant to the disposition of matters; Prepares and submits memoranda to judicial officers; Responds to inquiries by judicial officers concerning procedural and substantive issues, including attendance and assistance at hearings, as well as review of documents at the request of judicial officers, as necessary; Serves as legal adviser to the judicial officers, staff, or judicial committees concerning specific matters before the Court, as necessary; Read and analyzes memoranda of law submitted by counsel related to Criminal law matters pending before the Court, including writ petitions and resentencing proceedings; Performs legal research and analyses of cases, statutes and secondary materials cited by the parties and all other relevant materials necessary to reach decisions on pending matters; Makes oral presentations to judicial officers; Performs other duties as needed. Judgment and Responsibility: Incumbents perform their work under general direction. Court Research Attorneys conduct extensive legal research using independent judgment, discretion, and initiative.

Erroneous recommendations or failure to achieve objectives may result in substantial delays and considerable expenditure of resources. Individuals appointed to this position must be able to work well with others, as well as work independently; have the ability to handle multiple demands and deadlines; have a good understanding of court procedures; be attentive to detail; and maintain accurate and neat records. The person appointed to this position must be able to maintain a positive and professional attitude and possess good interpersonal and oral communication skills.

Regular and punctual attendance is essential. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION: Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university. EXPERIENCE: Performing legal research and developing legal opinions with a trial or appellate court OR A minimum of two (2) years' post bar experience as a practicing attorney in private practice or government agency with expertise in legal research and writing in the context of law and motion practice Criminal law and motion practice experience is a desirable qualification.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT: Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California for three years. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: Kowledge of legal principles within area of assignment; relevant statutory; constitutional and case law; online legal research methods (e.g. Westlaw); rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial, appellate and/or United States courts; legal ethics; word processing and other office automation software

General legal and constitutional principles and applications as well as legal precedents and their applications to the assigned area of law. Evidentiary principles, Penal Code of Criminal Procedures, Evidence Code, Local Rules of the Court and California Rules of the Court; pretrial and hearing procedures; legal research methods; legal reference work including decisions and statutory law; and computerized legal research and related computer systems and applications. Ability to listen to and interact with judicial officers and others involved in the assigned caseload; identify legal issues and research statutes, rules and case law; apply legal principles to case facts and make decisions; prepare and present verbal and written legal analyses and recommendations; coordinate work with others; work in an environment with conflicting priorities; recognize and respect limits of authority and responsibility; uphold legal ethics; and work independently and as part of a team.

Perform legal research independently; analyze and appraise legal problems and apply legal principles and precedents to facts and evidence; present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; review the legal sufficiency of motions to dismiss, motions to suppress, speedy trial motions, discovery motions, motions to change venue, pre-trial common law motions, post-trial and post-conviction motions, writs of prohibition and mandamus, writs of habeas corpus; advise the Court regarding such matters as grants of immunity, sentencing alternatives, sentencing computations under the determinate sentencing law, probation revocation/modification and admissibility of evidence; set priorities, schedule and appropriately monitor high volume of work; review and maintain a working knowledge of current changes in the law; draft clear and concise legal memoranda that include a summary of relevant facts, analysis of the application of relevant law to the facts and a recommendation of the judicial officer; and establish and maintain effective relationships with judges, attorneys, court administrators, managers, and employees. Physical Requirements: Independent body mobility to access a standard office environment with shelves and drawers of varying heights. Vision sufficient to read a computer screen, manual dexterity, coordination and ability to use a computer keyboard on a daily basis.

Occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds may be required and the need to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time. Some bending, stooping and/or squatting may be required. Transport, lift or carry trial materials to and from court (up to approximately 10 pounds).

Speak and hear sufficiently to communicate clearly in person and over the telephone, in court, and in small groups Work Environment: Shared office environment with varying degrees of hot and cold air. Requires occasional exposure to dust. Requires travel to other court locations, department, other agencies, or counties.

Must be able to traverse indoors and outdoors, over uneven ground and pavement in all types of weather. Frequent interruptions, with high volume of telephone and personal interaction. Ability to drive or utilize an alternate mode of transportation to perform the essential functions of the job.

IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION DEADLINE DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Review Dates: September 25, October 2, October 9, 2026. APPLICATION EVALUATION: All applications received will be evaluated based on the requirements of the position.

A comparative screening will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be selected for invitation to the next step of the screening and selection process. Those individuals who are invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process will be contacted via the email address they provided in their application. WRITTEN ASSESSMENT: A job-related practical assessment will be administered.

TBD SELECTION INTERVIEW: The interviews may be consolidated into one process or expanded into multiple interviews contingent upon the size and quantity of the candidate pool. Following the evaluation of the applications, the most qualified candidates may be invited to an oral board panel interview or directly to the selection interview. If an oral board panel interview is conducted, top candidates from the oral board panel interview will be invited to the selection interview with the hiring executive and/or members of the court executive management team.TBD PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must possess the personal qualifications generally recognized as essential to being an outstanding public employee, including integrity, initiative, dependability, courtesy, good judgment, and the ability to work with others as a team and follow instructions

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Working in any of the Ventura Superior Court facilities requires employees to be subject to security screening by security personnel who use a combination of walk-through and handheld screening devices. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation, which may include personal and professional character references, inquiry into past employment, education, credit, criminal background and depending on the position, may include driving records. Please note that the pre-employment background process will include any interaction you may have from the application process through the time that you are provided a final offer of employment.

Offer of employment may be rescinded at any time during the pre-employment background check process if the process determines that the applicant is not a good fit for the position.