Court Attorney - Calendar Coverage and Legal Research
Location: Metro and All Multi-Divisional Court Locations
$4,340.49 - $5,298.83 biweekly

Definition: The Court Attorney - Calendar Coverage and Legal Research is a professional level position appointed by the Judges of the Court and the Court Executive Officer. This is an at-will professional level position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Presiding Judge. Incumbents may also be assigned to conduct legal research and provide other legal services to the Court.

Distinguishing Characteristics: As directed by the Presiding Judge, the Court Attorney - Calendar Coverage and Legal Research serves as a judge pro tempore for calendar coverage purposes, handling a variety of other court matters which may include: unlawful detainer, traffic, small claims and other matters before the Court by stipulation of the parties. This professional level class works independently under general direction of the Presiding Judge of the Court in accordance with State law. The conditions for appointment are set forth in Rule 2.812(b) of the California Rules of Court, and the education and training requirements are found in Rule 2.812(c). Incumbents may also conduct legal research and perform other legal services as directed by the Court Executive Officer or his/her designee.

The Court Attorney - Calendar Coverage and Legal Research is distinguished from the position of commissioner in that the former is appointed by the Presiding Judge and may act as a judge pro tempore in certain case types by stipulation of the parties, whereas a commissioner has the same jurisdiction and the same powers as a judge of the court in certain cases as authorized by statute.

Court Attorneys - Calendar Coverage and Legal Research are established as exempt, unrepresented positions and report directly to the Presiding Judge for calendar coverage assignments, and the Court Executive Officer or his/her designee for all administrative requests and legal research duties as assigned.

The Court reserves the right to assign or reassign duties as required to achieve business and operational objectives. When assigned, all of the essential functions and duties listed below must be accomplished effectively, are standard, and may not be inclusive of all functions and duties that may be assigned. Depending on assignment, essential functions and duties may include but are not limited to those listed below.

• Presides as judge pro tempore over proceedings involving such matters as traffic arraignments, hearings and trials of infractions and misdemeanors; civil; family law; child support; juvenile law; unlawful detainers; small claims actions; and case management matters.
• Hears, evaluates, and makes disposition on assigned cases or claims filed pursuant to the specified section of other state codes in a fair and ethical manner.
• Hears and determines request for orders, takes evidence, hears and report findings and conclusions to the Court.
• Hears, reports on, and determines uncontested actions; and hears such other matters as specified by law.
• Holds pre-hearing conferences for the settlement or simplification of issues.
• Reviews court files, documents and related materials to assess cases prior to and following hearings.
• Prepares court documents, records, correspondence, and other written materials pertaining to case findings.
• Submits reports on disposition of cases to the Presiding Judge, or designee, as directed.
• Travels to all court multi-divisional locations as needed to conduct hearings or handle proceedings.
• Researches difficult legal questions and prepares memoranda, documents, and summaries of alternatives for the judge(s) and executive staff’s consideration.
• Reviews appealed cases; researches pertinent issues and law; and prepares preliminary opinion for the courts’ consideration.
• Provides other support services for judges as needed.
• Participates in and completes temporary judge training at least every three years as required by the Court.
• Maintains timekeeping records as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualification Guidelines: Knowledge of legal principles and precedents as applied to judicial procedures is required. A qualified candidate must have active membership in the State Bar of California and have been admitted to practice for a period of at least ten years. Experience in civil, criminal, child support, family, juvenile, probate, traffic, unlawful detainer, and/or law and motion litigation is recommended. Incumbents must be United States citizens and cannot engage in active practice of law during employment with the court in this capacity. Incumbents must meet and comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations and requirements for the appointment as a temporary judge.

Other Requirements:

• Citizenship in the United States.
• Residency in the State of California.
• Valid Class C Driver License.
• Incumbents cannot engage in the active practice of law either for compensation or on a pro bono basis while employed in this position by the Superior Court.
• Pass pre-employment fingerprint and professional background checks.

Judgment and Responsibility: This professional level class works independently under general direction of the Presiding Judge as a judge pro tempore, in accordance with State law. Incumbents have responsibility for interpreting, enforcing, and carrying out current laws. Actions to be taken and decisions to be made include researching specified decision issues, and issuing judgments, orders, etc. Erroneous decisions could result in failure to achieve critical goals, open the court to possible litigation, and seriously affect the lives of parties involved. The incumbent may also work under the general direction of the Court Executive Officer or his/her designee performing legal research and providing other legal services. Those assigned duties require the exercise of judgment to choose among possible actions, often without clear precedents.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The physical demands of this primarily sedentary indoor office job are: sustained periods of close computer screen work, finger/hand/arm/upper body dexterity, repetitive hand/arm movement, pushing, pulling, lifting 25 pounds, mobility (indoors and outdoors), typing, bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, and prolonged sitting. The working environment includes repetitive tasks, reliance on office machinery, continuous interaction with judicial officers, attorneys, litigants, other staff and the general public, and limited exposure to dust, odors, fumes, and noise. Mental functions include reading, writing/composition, math computations, problem-solving, decision-making, and multi-tasking. The ability to work independently as well as closely with others is required. Incumbents will be working under sometimes difficult and stressful conditions with frequent deadlines and expectations to produce high quality work under limited time constraints.