Court Staff Attorney -II​/Criminal Division

overview

description

court staff attorney i-ii
criminal division
(class codes 311c/312c)

the superior court of california, county of san francisco, invites applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as court staff attorney providing legal research and legal consultation for judicial officers in the criminal division. The court staff attorney reports directly to the supervising court staff attorney in the criminal division. The incumbent must be an attorney with professional legal experience as a member of the state bar of california.

An incumbent with more than two years of legal experience as a member of the state bar of california may be appointed at the court staff attorney ii level. Once appointed, the incumbent can be re-assigned or transferred to any position in the court classified as court staff attorney if the needs of the court necessitate such a change.

this selection process is being conducted in accordance with san francisco superior court personnel rule 4. An eligibility list will not be established.

final filing date: 12:00pm, march 6, 2026

compensation

court staff attorney ii: $4,675.78 to $5,683.73 biweekly ($121,570 to $147,777 annually)

court staff attorney i: $3,847.46 to $4,675.78 biweekly ($100,034 to $121,570 annually)

the court offers a generous benefits package including health and dental insurance plans, a contributory retirement plan, a deferred compensation savings program, paid vacation, sick leave, floating holidays, and holiday pay.

position overview

performs professional legal work and research with minimal guidance and supervision. Performs professional legal assignments and research as assigned, with immediate emphasis in criminal court policies and procedures; reviews and summarizes legal evidence, procedural history, and legal contentions in matters related to a variety of legal cases and court calendars; researches legal authorities, including statutory and case law, appellate court decisions, and legislative history, using both traditional and computerized legal research methods.

Prepares memoranda for matters researched, summarizing background, identifying and analyzing factual and legal issues, and recommending disposition of legal issues for use by judicial officers; meets with judicial officers and provides oral briefings on the results of research as requested; drafts rulings for court cases, including minute orders, formal orders, tentative decisions, statements of decision, and judgments for review and use by judicial officers;

drafts correspondence to counsel and other concerned parties regarding matters pending before the court. Responds to judicial officer inquiries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and pre-trial hearings, researching and briefing motions, evidentiary objections, jury instructions, status of case authorities cited by counsel, and points of substantive law. Work is performed in an office and courtroom environment; continuous contact with judicial officers, executive management, litigants, attorneys, other staff and the public.

Initial assignment will be at the hall of justice. Some remote work may be available based on court needs.

Physical requirements:

sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and fax.

required qualifications

current membership in the state bar of california.

two or more years of full-time professional legal work experience as a member of the state bar of california is required for the court staff attorney ii level.

desirable qualifications

specific legal work experience in the civil or criminal divisions of the superior court of california, county of san francisco, is preferred.

knowledge of

• principles of criminal, constitutional, civil, and administrative law.
• california codes and statutes applicable to criminal and civil law.
• judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• legal research methods.
• interviewing techniques.
• computers and software used in professional legal work.

ability to

• perform a wide scope of professional legal and legal research work.
• analyze facts and apply legal precedents and principles to assigned legal review and research work.
• provide sound legal advice to judicial officers when requested.
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• prepare and present a variety of special reports.
• operate a computer and use appropriate software in the performance of professional legal work.
• effectively represent the superior court of california, county of san francisco, with the public, petitioners, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions.
• maintain confidential information when required by legal or ethical standards.
• establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

how to…