Judicial Staff Attorney

This position description sets out the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, details the knowledge, abilities, skills, licenses, certifications, education, and experience necessary to be successful in the role, and lists the equipment normally operated by, scope of supervision, and usual physical demands on the incumbent.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Judicial Staff Attorney serves in the Judicial Department and reports to the Appointing Judge. 

The Judicial Staff Attorney conducts legal research and drafts decisions, orders, entries, and memoranda of law, for consideration and use by the Appointing Judge in making legal decisions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential duties and responsibilities of the position are as follows:

• Conducts legal research on topics, issues, and questions posed by Appointing Judge, and proposes draft decisions or memoranda, as assigned.
• Reviews case files, transcripts, exhibits, testimony, and other evidence to present factual findings and summarize procedural histories.
• Researches relevant case law to assure that written opinions, decisions, and instructions are based on current statutes and appropriate case law.
• Writes and edits judicial decisions, and provides assistance and recommendations to Appointing Judge in determining case outcomes. Confers with Appointing Judge regarding outcome of cases or other legal issues.
• Drafts jury instructions for civil and criminal cases for Appointing Judge’s consideration and use.
• Tracks motions for timeliness of decisions; tracks and manages complex cases.
• Contacts attorneys and/or their staff regarding cases; attends hearings and conferences as needed.
• Participates in the Dayton Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and other relevant professional organizations to enhance knowledge and skills to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Participates in training opportunities, court activities, projects, and committees as requested or required.
• Completes other duties and responsibilities as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of: legal research methods and source; court processes; general legal principles; criminal and civil law; criminal and civil rules of procedure; local rules of court and rules governing the courts of Ohio.
• Ability to:  analyze, synthesize, and distinguish legal concepts and materials; work independently.
• Skill in:  manual and computerized legal research, evaluating and editing legal documents, writing, organizing and presenting research results, written and verbal communication and operating computer.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS OF ALL COURT EMPLOYEES:

All court employees are expected to stay current in their areas of technical expertise; maintain attention to detail; exhibit good organizational skills; work effectively on own initiative and by cooperating with others; engage in active listening; speak and write clearly and concisely; demonstrate good manners, friendly demeanor, and professional behavior; uphold the policies, procedures, and practices of the court; maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information; and represent the court with honesty and integrity. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

The position requires an appropriate combination of formal education, additional training and courses, and work experience.  There is not an exact level or mixture of these elements to indicate one will necessarily be successful in, or qualify for, the position.

For example purposes only, an acceptable combination of qualifications is a juris doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school, admission to the Ohio bar, and three years of experience conducting research and writing in a law firm or court environment.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Admission, in good standing, to the practice of law in the state of Ohio or to be registered to sit for the next scheduled Ohio Bar Examination.

A valid state of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license is preferred in order to carry out job-related essential functions.  Private insurance is required if private vehicle is employed for job-related functions.

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION:

The position requires no supervisory duties or responsibilities.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:

Vehicle; computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and other general office equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND USUAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following physical demands are typically exhibited by the incumbent performing the requirements of the position.  These physical demands are not, and should not be construed to be, job qualification standards.  They are illustrated to help the court, incumbent, and applicant for the position identify reasonable accommodations that may need to be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the job’s essential functions because of a recognized disability covered by, and in accordance with, the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity and eye-hand coordination when performing typing and other tasks.  The employee frequently sits for extended periods of time, and occasionally stands and walks.  Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when typing and using a computer screen. Job may involve operating and sitting in a vehicle.