Court Researcher Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

ATTORNEY SERIES SPECIFICATION
Under general direction, positions in this classification series are responsible for performing high quality and timely legal research on behalf of judicial officers; examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations in matters before the Court. Research Attorneys provide legal advice and counsel to the Court on various matters, and may serve as temporary judge as authorized.

Research Attorneys serve a one year new probation and/or a one year promotional probation period as set forth in the Court's Personnel Policies and Regulations.
Associate Research Attorney is the trainee level in the series. There is no permanent status at this level. Incumbents must demonstrate the ability to successfully perform at the journey level within the one year new probation period.
Research Attorney is the journey level in the series. Senior Research Attorney is the advanced journey level of the series. Incumbents in either class may, in addition to performing legal research activities, coordinate the schedules and assignments of attorneys to ensure work flow issues are handled effectively.
When so delegated, a Senior Research Attorney may be required to gather information about, or provide a preliminary analysis regarding, the quality of work performed by other attorneys.
Attorneys are typically responsible for a full range of case work-ups in their assigned area, e.g., civil, criminal, family law, juvenile and/or probate, etc. Senior Attorneys are able to handle more difficult and complex legal duties; often have in-depth specialized expertise in a particular area of law; are recognized by judicial officers as producing superior quality work; handle especially sensitive or confidential legal matters on behalf of the court; willingly mentor and/or assist other staff; have a proven ability to work successfully in a team environment.
All levels are required to carefully and accurately review briefs, motions, and other documents; thoroughly research and analyze existing law; draft clear, concise, and well-organized analyses; and perform other related work as required.

These duties are not all inclusive and are clustered in broad categories. Positions do not necessarily have duties limited to any one of the categories; any combination of the following duties may be found in a single position.

1. Reviews and summarizes evidence and procedural history; sets forth legal contentions; identifies and analyzes factual and legal issues; researches and presents legal authorities; and makes recommendations to judicial officers.
2. Reviews cases on appeal, researches pertinent issues and law, and prepares preliminary opinion for the Court's consideration.
3. Briefs judges on research and analysis pertaining to matters before the Court, identifies and discusses unresolved issues necessary for the disposition of matters, and formulates dispositions.
4. Confers and responds to judges' inquiries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and hearings; attends and assists at trials and hearings; conducts reviews of documents at the request of judges.
5. Reviews pleadings, written legal reports, opinions, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents in connection with trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
6. May serve as legal advisor to judicial officers or court management on specific matters including preparing written memoranda and/or opinions.
7. Uses a computer to query case management systems, prepare memoranda, archive work products and perform on-line legal research.
8. May assist in training, reviewing work of and assigning work to other attorneys or interns.
9. May represent the court on task forces and State and national organizations as delegated.
10. On occasion, positions in this class may be assigned to determine whether or not probable cause exists to hold arrestees for further proceedings and coordinate issuance and processing of Emergency Protective Orders.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

LICENSE REQUIRED

Active membership in the State Bar of California required for all three levels.

Thorough Knowledge of (varies depending on level):

Legal principles and their applications, such as civil law and motion, criminal or appellate matters.
Legal research methods and techniques.
Use of legal reference works including case law and statutory law.
Rules of evidence and the conduct of court proceedings.
Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence.
Multiple legal disciplines or demonstrated exceptional expertise in one or two legal specialties (Senior level).

General Knowledge of:

Current key or critical court decisions impacting law and motion issues (Civil assignments).

Ability to (varies depending on level):

Analyze difficult and complex legal problems and apply legal principles and practices; perform the most complex and imaginative legal research; and draft clear and concise memoranda and/or legal opinions concerning the most important and complex problems.
Use excellent judgment, logic, and analytical skills in the review and analysis of the most complex motions and other legal research.
Maintain mental stamina to perform complex analysis while under time constraints and exacting professional and legal standards.
Present arguments and statements of fact and law clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Learn and apply California Rules of Court, local rules of court, court policies and procedures; conform law and motion write-ups to individual judicial preferences.
Serve as Temporary Judge when authorized.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, court staff and others.
Train, review work, and mentor other attorneys depending on assignment.
Coordinate the work of section with judicial, support and administrative staff.
Perform administrative tasks, including maintaining statistics and tracking/reporting work.
Use a computer to prepare case work-ups and perform legal research.
Pass a background check to the satisfaction of the court.