Job details
Salary $11,949 - $14,337 a month
Full job description
The legal services office of the judicial council of california provides quality, timely, and ethical legal advice and services to the supreme court, courts of appeal, trial courts, judicial council, and its advisory bodies and staffLegal services is currently searching for an attorney to join its dynamic law office made up of a highly skilled workforce that provides effective legal support to judicial branch clients on challenging, varied, and significant legal issues.
The attorney will work in the real estate unit that provides in-house legal support for all aspects of the california judicial branch’s real property portfolio consisting of approximately 17 million square feet of space in 450 existing facilities as well as its on-going new courthouse capital construction programThe work includes providing direct legal support for the operation, renovation, maintenance, acquisition, construction, financing, and disposition of court facilities for the trial courts, appellate courts, and the california supreme courtIn addition, the attorney will conduct research and draft legal memoranda and opinions related to facilities issues, provide facilities-related advice to support the work of other legal services units and other judicial council offices, and provide legal support for the judicial council’s facilities-related advisory committees and working groupsThe attorney will independently manage a workload in a collegial and collaborative environment.
Attorneys within the legal services office often support the work of units other than their primary assignmentDepending upon experience, the reu attorney may be called upon to work with other legal services units and may also be called upon to write legal opinions, staff advisory bodies, and draft rules of court and legislation.
The judicial council strives for work life balance and includes substantial vacation and holiday timeIn addition, we offer an excellent benefits package including pension, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending, a public transit stipend for commuting costs, and retirement savings plansPrimary work location will be in san francisco or sacramentoThe judicial council is currently on a remote work schedule through december 2021Remote work options may continue to be available in the legal services office in 2022.
Responsibilities
Provide legal advice and support in connection with the management of a real estate portfolio of approximately 17 million square feet (450+ buildings) including issues connected with on-going building maintenance, facility modifications, and changing court space needs.
Handle issues connected with the transfers of responsibility for trial court facilities from the 58 counties to the judicial council under sb 1732 including issues that arise with respect to shared-use facilities.
Draft and negotiate leases, licenses, and renewals thereof, as well as provide legal advice concerning lease disputes and terminations.
Provide legal advice and support for courthouse capital construction projects including construction-related contract procurement, contract administration, contract close-out, warranty enforcement, claims, and litigation.
Assist with facilities maintenance contracting including both procurement and contract administration.
Draft and assist in negotiating site acquisition agreements including related environmental (i.eCeqa) compliance.
Provide legal support for dispositions of closed court facilities including drafting authorizing legislation.
Research and draft legal memoranda and opinions related to facilities’ issues.
Provide facilities-related advice to support the work of other judicial council offices.
Supervise work of outside counsel on real estate and construction matters or litigation.
Provide legal support for the judicial council’s facilities-related advisory committees and working groups.
Depending upon background and experience that may be of direct service to the courts and the judicial council, the attorney may be called upon to perform additional duties or assist other legal services units in areas of labor and employment law, litigation management, ethics, transactions and business operations, as well as draft rules of court and legislation, prepare written legal opinions, and support judicial council advisory bodies focused on civil law and procedure and court operations.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications
Juris doctor, and four (4) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorneyAfter passing the state bar, work experience as a law clerk to a federal judge prior to formal state bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.
Licensing and certifications
Current active membership with the state bar of california
Desirable qualifications
Extensive experience in drafting real estate agreements and documents; and
Experience in and with the public sector generally, and more particularly, public works procurement and construction.
Skills
Excellent critical thinking, problem solving capabilities, and judgment;
Ability to present issues and advocate positions in writing and orally in a manner that is clear, concise, and logical;
Superior contract and document drafting skills;
Ability to manage workloads, coordinate deadlines, and prioritize competing demands;
Ability to work autonomously while being a team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude;
Ability to listen to and consider different points of view;
Ability to building consensus and resolve conflicts; and
Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
Utilizing a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned;
Effectively communicating; and
Maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, clients, and the public.
Knowledge of
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and/or ordinances;
Principles and methods of legal writing;
Principles and methods of legal research and analysis;
Principles and practice of court administration, as assigned;
California legislative process, as assigned; and
Applicable business equipment and desktop applications.
Other information
Please note: if you are selected for hire, verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work in the united states will be required.
Apply Now
To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5:00 p.mOn october 15, 2021This position requires the submission of our official application, a cover letter, a resume, writing sample, and a response to the supplemental questions.
It is required that you attach your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and response to the supplemental questions.
Please refer to “attorney ii, job opening # 5421” on your application materials and all correspondence.
Note: when applying on-line, please include your cover letter with the attachment of your resume.
To complete an online application, please click the apply now button.
The judicial council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodationReasonable accommodation needs should be requested through human resources at (415) 865-4260Telecommunications device for the deaf (415) 865-4272.
Supplemental questions
To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, we will review your responses to the following questionsPlease indicate for which employer you performed these functionsYour answers should not exceed a total of three pages.
1Please state why you are interested in this position and why you are qualified for it.
2Please describe your experience handling complex real estate negotiations.
3Please describe any experience you have had working for or with public entities.
Pay and benefits
Monthly salary range:
$11,949 - $14,337 per month
[starting salary: $11,949 per month]
Some highlights of our benefits package include:
Health/dental/vision benefits program
13 paid holidays per calendar year
Choice of annual leave or sick/vacation leave
1 personal holiday per year
$130 transit pass subsidy per month
Pre-tax parking savings program
Calpers retirement plan
401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
Employee assistance program
Basic life and ad&d insurance
Flexelect program
Long term care disability (employee paid/optional)
Group legal plan (employee paid/optional
