Summary The Attorney Advisor position is located in the Civil Division, Office of the Director, at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The primary purpose of the position is to provide legal and procedural advice to judicial officers and staff, court administrators, and other court personnel to ensure compliance with D.C. Code; case law; and Civil Division policies, business processes, and standard operating procedures. Responsibilities As the Attorney Advisor, the incumbent is responsible for performing the following major duties: Reviews case documents and prepares cases for Judges and Magistrate Judges presiding over Landlord and Tenant; and other Civil Division specialty calendars. Ensures cases are processed in compliance with relevant laws, rules, and/or policies relevant to Court, division, and/or branch processes and procedures. Monitors case activity and caseload for conformance with court performance standards and consulting with judicial officers and staff, court administrators and other court personnel to ensure compliance. Develops and provides performance standards reports to judicial officers and staff, court administrators and other stakeholders. Analyzes performance data to determine trends or problems and making recommendations for remediation. Provides legal and procedural advice and assistance to division Judges and Magistrate Judges while court is in session. Drafts proposed orders for Civil Division Judges or Magistrate Judges. Performs legal research, prepares legal memoranda, and provides legal advice to division judicial officers and staff, court administrators, and other court personnel. Reviews proposed and recently enacted legislation and drafts legal memoranda for judicial officers and staff, court administrators or other court personnel regarding the impact of such legislation on the division. Conducts, develops, or assists with training or preparation of training content and materials for judicial officers and staff, court administrators, and other court personnel relative to division rules, processes and procedures. Requirements Conditions of Employment Background and security investigation are required. A probationary period of one (1) year must be successfully completed. To qualify for this position, the following must be submitted: Resume Completed Vacancy Questionnaire Documentation/Proof of Education (e.g. copy of law degree or transcript) Proof of active bar membership Two writing samples (legal memorandum or legal brief). Each sample must be no more than five (5) pages. List of three (3) professional references All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, a member in good standing of the bar of any state, United States territory, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and have a minimum of three (3) years of legal experience. Experience may include work prior to, during, or after law school, including student practice organizations, clinical legal programs, externships, summer internships, law clerking, or pro bono legal assistance. Credit will be given for paid, unpaid, and/or part-time work in a legal environment. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the verifiable dates (month/year) and total number of hours worked per week. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar, or have a pending membership to the District of Columbia Bar, and have three (3) or more years of legal experience. OTHER APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must submit two (2) writing samples (legal memorandum or legal brief) as part of the application. Each sample must be no more than five (5) pages in length. Documentation of education (copy of J.D. degree or transcript) and proof of active bar membership must be submitted with your application or your application will not be considered. Rule T of DC Superior Court Rules states: neither the Clerk nor the Clerk's assistants, nor anyone serving as a law clerk or secretary to a judge of this Court, or employed in any other capacity in this Court, shall engage in the practice of law while continuing in such position. The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts' values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency. Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts is required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted. Education To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Additional Information This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service. Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all new court employees. All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date. Rule T of DC Superior Court Rules states: neither the Clerk nor the Clerk's assistants, nor anyone serving as a law clerk or secretary to a judge of this Court, or employed in any other capacity in this Court, shall engage in the practice of law while continuing in such position.
