**Description**
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.
The salary for Court Research Attorney I is $3,509.99.
The salary range for Court Research Attorney II is $4,455.85 - $4,912.64.
**The salary range for Court Research Attorney III is $5,015.52 - 6,096.34.**
**
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.
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 13 ½ holidays and 2 floating holidays per year.
**Sick Leave:** Employees accrue 4.6 hours per bi-weekly pay period,
equivalent to 15 days per year.
**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 $2,400.00 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.