Research Lawyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $3,777.63 - $6,561.19 Biweekly
Location : Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Courthouse, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-12432
Department: Court Wide
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
This recruitment is scheduled to close after 30 Days on Saturday, August 29, 2026, or once 15 qualified applications have been received.
Definition
Under supervision, to serve as a legal advisor and provide professional legal research assistance to Superior Court Judges, Executive and Managerial staff; to perform related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Court Research Attorney I is the first working level in the Court Research Attorney class series. Initially, the incumbent works under close supervision in performing research and drafting legal opinions for Judicial and Executive staff. As experience is gained, there is a greater independence of action. This class is flexibly staffed with the Court Research Attorney II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications at the higher level.
Court Research Attorney II is the experienced working level in the Court Research Attorney class series. Incumbents work independently in performing legal research and drafting legal opinions for Judicial and Executive staff and must be able to respond within short time frames to Judges' queries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and pretrial hearings. This class is flexibly staffed with Court Research Attorney III.
Court Research Attorney III is the specialist level in the series. It is distinguished from Lead Court Research Attorney, which is the lead level in the series.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Reviews and summarizes evidence, procedural history, and legal contentions in matters on civil, criminal, and Presiding Judge's law and motion calendars, appellate calendar, and mandate calendar in civil and criminal trial and post-trial motions, in coordinated proceedings, in juvenile court and family law proceedings, in habeas corpus petitions, and in time credits and sentencing matters.
2. Researches legal authorities, including statutory and case law of California, other states, federal and foreign jurisdictions, treaties and other international laws, and legislative history using traditional and computerized legal research methods.
3. Prepares memorandum for each matter, summarizing background, identifying and analyzing factual and legal issues, and recommending disposition; orally briefs Judges on research and analysis pertaining to matters in Superior Court cases.
4. Drafts rulings in Superior Court cases, including minute orders, formal orders, tentative decisions, statements of decision, and judgments.
5. Drafts correspondence to counsel, unrepresented parties, and inmates regarding matters pending before the Courts.
6. Responds to Judges' queries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and pre-trial hearings, including in limine motions, evidentiary objections, jury instructions, status of case authorities cited by counsel, and points of substantive law.
7. Researches, analyzes, and formulates recommended policies, procedures, and forms related to specified court proceedings and recurring issues at the request of Judges, Judicial Committees, and Court Administration.
8. At the III level, consults with and advises staff on problems with cases in the assigned specialty area; serves as legal advisor to assigned Judicial Committees.
Minimum Qualifications
A typical way of obtaining the required knowledge and abilities is equivalent to:
Education:
Graduation from an accredited school of law.
-And-
Experience:
Court Research Attorney I: One (1) year of experience in professional civil and/or criminal legal practice. Public law experience is desirable.
Court Research Attorney II: Two (2) years of experience in professional civil and/or criminal legal practice, including performing legal research and developing legal opinions. Public law experience is highly desirable.
Court Research Attorney III: Four (4) years of experience in professional civil and/or criminal legal practice, including public law experience.
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, methods, and materials of legal research and analysis; Government Code and other California statutes related to Superior Court processes and Rules of Court; principles of civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law; legal terms, procedures, forms, and documents used in court cases.
Ability to:
Use traditional and computerized legal research methods; research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to specific legal problems; analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents; research legal issues and present clear and logical arguments and statements of fact and law; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Other Information
Active membership in the State Bar of California.
Must be able to pass a criminal history information background check.
To view the Sacramento Superior Court's Benefits Summary Sheet please click
The following is an explanation of the benefits, which apply to those employed in regular or limited-term positions:
Vacation: Vacation with pay varies depending upon the employee representation unit. New employees typically earn 10 days per year and accrual rates normally increase according to years of service.
Holidays: The Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento recognizes 14 holidays and 5 floating holidays per year.
Sick Leave: Employees accrue 5.0 hours per bi-weekly pay period.
Parental Leave: Employees with at least 1 year of service are eligible for paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
Retirement: Employees are covered by the Sacramento County Employee's Retirement System (SCERS) and Social Security.
Group Health Insurance: The Court offers several choices of employee and dependent health insurance coverage, with a significant portion paid by the employer.
Dental and Vision Services Plan: Employee and dependent dental and vision insurance plans are provided at no cost.
Life Insurance: Basic employee life insurance is provided at no cost to the employee with additional optional life insurance available at the employee's cost.
Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts: The ability to deduct a portion of your salary before taxes to apply toward medical expenses and/or child care expenses.
Deferred Compensation: The Court offers a Deferred Compensation Program.
Sacramento Credit Union: The credit union offers loan facilities and systematic savings plans through payroll deduction.
Tuition Reimbursement: The Court reimburses up to $3,000.00 dollars of an employee's educational expenses as outlined in its Tuition Reimbursement policy.
Long Term Disability: A Long Term Disability (LTD) plan is provided at no cost to employees.
Transit Subsidy: The Court provides a transit subsidy to eligible employees based on current policy.
01
Please describe how your education and experience qualifies you for the Court Research Attorney I/II/III position in Legal Research. If applicable, please include your experience with civil law and motion proceedings, administrative writs, writs of mandate or appeals. Experience in all of the foregoing categories is not required.
02
Please describe your job-related experiences that required you to work independently and under short deadlines.
03
Please submit (1) a writing sample written by you with little to no input from anyone else, and (2) resume, with the Court application. I acknowledged this is a required part of the application process, and not submitting these items may be considered as an incomplete application.
Required Question