The California Supreme Court, located in San Francisco, is accepting applications to fill two positions that will become open on or slightly after September 1, 2018, as Supreme Court Chambers Attorney to serve on the personal staff of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye. Responsibilities will include assisting the Chief Justice in drafting conference memoranda, calendar memoranda, and opinions in cases assigned to her, reviewing and critiquing memoranda and proposed opinions in cases assigned to other justices of the Supreme Court, and reviewing memoranda for the court’s weekly petition conference.
These responsibilities require that a Supreme Court Chambers Attorney carefully and accurately review appellate briefs, trial records, and other documents; thoroughly research and analyze existing law; draft clear, organized and well written memoranda; handle multiple assignments simultaneously and expeditiously; and make recommendations to the Chief Justice regarding the resolution of legal issues presented in cases before the court.
The Chief Justice personally directs, reviews, and edits all of her staff's work product. Additional review and editing occur at the staff level. A Supreme Court Chambers Attorney must be able to work closely and cooperatively with other members of the Chief Justice's staff, as well as with other members of the court’s staff. He or she must anticipate having his or her work product subject to revision, editing, and critique by other attorneys on the staff, as well as by the other justices and their staffs.
Applicants advancing to the final phase in the selection process may be required to complete a timed, at-home writing exercise.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
California State Bar membership and relevant experience in the practice of law; exceptional research, analytical and writing skills and experience; broad and practical knowledge of the law; familiarity with appellate practice; mature and sound judgment; ability to work cooperatively with other members of the staff and court; and ability to delve into issues thoroughly and work independently while welcoming supervision and editing of one’s work product.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Substantial experience as a judicial staff attorney, appellate practitioner, or comparable position emphasizing legal writing and analysis, and experience in an adjudicatory (as opposed to solely advocacy) setting. Also desirable: Experience in litigation, preparing and/or arguing law and motion matters, etc.
APPLICABLE POSITION LEVELS AND SALARY RANGES
Level B: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of two years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
OR
One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level A, with the judicial branch.
Salary: $7,041 - $8,946 per month
Level C: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of three years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
OR
One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level B, with the judicial branch.
Salary: $7,741 - $9,837 per month
Level D: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of four years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
OR
One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level C, with the judicial branch.
Salary: $8,912 - $11,892 per month
Level E: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of six years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
OR
Two years of experience as an appellate attorney, Level D, with the judicial branch.
Salary: $10,085 - $13,460 per month
Level F: Active membership in the State Bar of California and two years of experience as a Supreme Court Chambers Attorney, Level E, or two years of experience as a senior appellate attorney with the judicial branch. There is no external-only qualifying experience for Level F in this class.
Salary: $11,674 - $13,797 per month
Work experience as a law clerk to a state or federal judge prior to formal admission to the California State Bar will be considered equivalent to post-bar legal experience.
How To Apply
APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS
To ensure earliest consideration, please apply by Monday, March 26, 2018. Interviews will be targeted for April 2018. The positions will remain open until filled. To apply online, please click the APPLY NOW button. Please attach: (1) your resume and (2) your response to this supplemental question: In view of the job description set out above, please describe your relevant experience, focusing on your writing, analytical, and organizational skills. If you have had legal experience in a non-adversarial capacity, please also include a discussion of that experience.
As noted above, applicants advancing to the final phase in the selection process may be required to complete a timed, in-house writing exercise.
If you have any question, contact the Supreme Court of California, Human Resources at 415-865-4260.
Go to http://www.courts.ca.gov/careers.htm, then Current Opportunities to see online listing.
