Judicial Assistant to Appellate Justice

The State of California, Court of Appeal, Division Two of the Fourth Appellate District located in Riverside is accepting applications for the position of Judicial Assistant to Appellate Justice.
This specialized position is responsible for organizing and managing administrative, paralegal, and legal secretarial tasks for a specified appellate court justice and the justice’s research attorneys.
Incumbents also organize, coordinate, and ensure successful completion of specifically determined projects and assist with any other administrative, paralegal, and legal secretarial duties.
Responsibilities Provides varied, complex, confidential, administrative, paralegal, and legal secretarial support to an appellate court justice and the justice’s research attorneys.
Maintains chambers calendar; arranges travel and prepares travel related documents for justices, as needed.
Edits, proofreads, and reviews drafts of opinions and court orders and other related documents, using the electronic case management and document management systems, for correctness and accuracy with respect to grammar, spelling, punctuation, content, and organization; conforms opinions to uniform style using the California Style Manual and other style manuals, ensuring compliance with California Rules of Court.
Tracks cases, oral arguments, submissions, and filings; prepares materials for oral argument.
Prepares final opinions by checking cited facts for accuracy against all documents via electronic case management and document management systems, such as the clerk’s and reporter’s transcripts, administrative record, and exhibits; validates legal authorities cited using resources found in the physical and/or electronic law library and computer data bases such as state and federal reporters, state and federal statutes, citators, textbooks, handbooks, restatements, and legislative intent materials.
Transmits opinions and modifications either directly to the Reporter of Decisions or to the Clerk’s Office for submission; communicates with the Reporter of Decisions regarding stylistic requirements and content of opinions; proofreads and carefully inspects galley proofs of all published opinions for complete accuracy.
Maintains and updates both physical and electronic chambers library.
Maintains status reports for chambers; works closely with chambers attorneys to ensure accuracy and timely filing of opinions and court orders; may be responsible for tracking motions.
May support special projects as assigned, preparing meeting materials, scheduling meetings, preparing reports, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
Provides training and guidance to new staff in court practices and procedures.
Organizes and routes work using the court’s document management system and follows up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work; exercises skill in setting priorities; works closely with the Clerk’s Office to ensure that materials are received and sent out in timely fashion.
Drafts correspondence and routine orders for review, including opinion modifications, orders on rehearing petitions or publication requests; independently initiates specified correspondence for signature by appropriate staff.
Working Conditions May be required to work overtime.
Must be able to work independently in an isolated environment.
Qualifications Equivalent to six (6) years of legal secretarial experience, including four (4) years of technical legal research.
OR Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of legal secretarial experience, including technical legal research.
Additional directly related experience and/or college-level coursework may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for either of the paths outlined above.
OR One (1) year as a Deputy Clerk OR two (2) years as a Lead Judicial Secretary or Assistant Deputy Clerk III OR three (3) years as a Judicial Secretary II with the judicial branch.
Equivalent years of experience performing the duties of a class comparable in the level of responsibility to the classes listed above in a California Superior Court or California state-level government entity also qualify.
Desirable Qualifications: Ability to accurately type 55 words per minute Knowledge of: General functions and organization of the judicial system and the roles and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies.
Legal and administrative office practices and procedures.
Complex legal concepts, terminology, principles, and procedures.
Methods of complex legal research (traditional and electronic).
Calendar management and scheduling.
Computers and the use of computer applications.
Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation, with emphasis on legal terminology.
California trial and appellate court practices and procedures.
Ability to: Verify the accuracy of complex legal documents and research (traditional and electronic).
Understand, interpret, and apply complex legal concepts, terminology, principles, and procedures.
Operate computers and other standard office equipment, using standard business software and automated case management systems; interpret and apply technical manuals and tutorials.
Organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities and meet critical deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Maintain confidentiality; using tact, discretion and courtesy.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships, including cooperation, collegiality, and efficiency, with justices, public and court attorneys, IT staff, clerks, and other judicial assistants.
Communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Accurately apply the California Style Manual.
Other Information Please note: If you are selected for hire, the Fourth District Court of Appeal will require verification of employment eligibility or authorization to legally work in the United States.
How To Apply To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5:00PM on January 5, 2024.
Position will remain open until filled.
To complete an online application, please click the APPLY NOW button.
The Fourth District Court of Appeal provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation.
Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Fourth District Court of Appeal Human Resources at (619) 744-0787.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (415)865-4272.
Supplemental Questions These questions are intended to provide more detailed information about your work experience.
Your answers to the following questions will allow us to better assess your qualifications.
1.
Describe your experience on the following: Proofreading legal documents; Cite checking; Writing routine memos and letters.
2.
Describe your experience completing tasks by utilizing software such as Microsoft Word, spreadsheets, presentations, shared calendars, and/or database management.
3.
Describe your experience utilizing Lexis, Westlaw or law library research.
Pay and Benefits $6,283 -$7,638 per month Highlights of our benefits package include: Health/Dental/Vision benefits program 14 paid holidays per calendar year Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave 1 personal holiday per year Up to $130 per month for qualifying commuting costs CalPERS Retirement Plan 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans Employee Assistance Program Basic Life and AD&D Insurance FlexElect Program Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional) Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional) Equal Employment Opportunity The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.