Legal Research Attorney Supervisor
Apply NowCompany: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Description:
Salary : $150,783.36 - $182,237.54 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time, Regular Status (benefitted)
Job Number: 2502LRASUPSC
Department: South County Operations
Opening Date: 02/17/2025
Closing Date: 2/23/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Description
Posting is for internal candidates only.
This position is located in Santa Barbara.
Under general direction, assigns, supervises and evaluates the work of a staff of attorneys providing legal support to the court; advises the court on legal aspects of administrative and operational issues; and performs difficult and complex legal work.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the supervisory level of the Legal Research Attorney series. Incumbents may be assigned to support general research or specialties such as, but not limited to, family law, self help centers or probate. The preponderant role of positions in this class is supervising the work of other attorneys as well as performing research for the most difficult cases. This class is distinguished from the lower level class of Legal Research Attorney, Senior in that it describes overall supervisory responsibility for a functional unit comprised of attorneys, senior attorneys and other legal staff. Furthermore, Legal Research Attorney, Senior may mentor, train and assign the work of subordinate attorneys, but they do not have full supervisory responsibility.
Examples of Duties
Selects, trains, evaluates and supervises attorneys within the work unit; provides work assignments and assists staff with the more difficult cases. Meets regularly with judges of the court to obtain information regarding operational problems; develops practices and procedures that effectively serve the bench. Researches, analyzes and interprets existing laws and ordinances, court decisions, pending legislation and other legal authorities. Writes proposed decisions for judges on matters before the court. Advises judges on a variety of issues and proceedings, including civil, criminal, family law, probate, and juvenile. Confers with other attorneys and other agencies regarding legal matters. Confers with judges, attorneys, court staff and the public on procedural matters and legal issues. Represents the court on task forces and State and national organizations. Performs other duties as assigned.
Employment Standards
Any combination of training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Typical ways to obtain the knowledge and abilities required would be:
Graduation from an accredited school of law; AND Active membership in the State Bar of California, AND Five (5) years of full-time paid experience as a legal research attorney or law clerk for a California trial or appellate court; AND At least two (2) years in a supervisory, lead, or advanced role.
Additional Requirements: Incumbents must be willing to travel between court branch offices at various locations throughout the county.
Knowledge of:
Ability to:
There are a variety of benefits available to regular status employees of the Superior Court of CA, County of Santa Barbara. These benefits include: medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs, retirement program, flexible spending account (health care, dependent care, transportation and parking), employee assistance program, and deferred compensation program.
General Benefits
Paid Holidays - Full-time Court employees receive 14 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday
Paid Sick Leave - Full-time Court employees accrue 12 paid sick days each year
Paid Vacation - Full-time Court employees accrue paid vacation time based on their years of service as follows:
Vacation Accrual
0-2 years - 12 days per year
2-4 years - 16 days per year
4-10 years - 19 days per year
10-14 years - 22 days per year
14+ years - 25 days per year
NOTE: Individuals from other federal, state and/or local public agencies who are entering employment with the Court may receive service credit towards vacation accrual.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
The Court pays:
100% of employee health premium
100% of the premium for Employee + dependent and Employee + Family
100% of employee dental premium, this amount is applied to all levels of coverage
Coverage for spouse, children and domestic partner are also available. For more information regarding the cost of the medical, dental and vision plans, and the Court's contribution please see the following links (amounts are based on full-time employment, or 40 hours per week):
NOTE: All Court health plans for part-time employees are the same, but the Court's contribution towards the premiums, and the biweekly cash allowance are provided on a pro-rated basis.
Alternative Transportation Benefit
Regular employees using alternative transportation (i.e. walking, biking, public transportation, carpool, vanpool, etc) may be eligible to earn an additional .62 hours of paid vacation time biweekly. This may result in an overall benefit equivalent to 2 additional vacation days per year (based on full-time employment).
Retirement
2% at age 62, 3 year final average salary. The Court makes a considerable biweekly contribution to the retirement plan on behalf of employees. All regular employees of the Court are required enroll in the General Retirement Plan administered by the Santa Barbara County Employee's Retirement System (SBCERS). More information regarding the rates of contribution by the employee and employer, vesting, and retirement options may be found at the following link: If you have previous public employment, you may qualify for a different retirement plan.
The Court also offers a Deferred Compensation plan administered by Empower. This is a voluntary program which allows the employee to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to an investment account to supplement retirement income. The Court also offers a Roth option.
Flexible Spending Account
Flexible spending accounts (FSA) are among the most significant tax shelters allowed by the IRS. Employees may choose to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to this account to be used throughout the benefit plan year to cover out of pocket health care, dependent care and transportation and parking costs. More information regarding Flexible Spending Accounts can be found at the following link:
Life, Disability & Accident Insurances
The Court provides Basic Life Insurance coverage to the employee in the amount $50,000 at no cost to the employee. Additional, Supplemental Life Insurance coverage for the employee, spouse and/or children may be purchased by the employee.This includes a life insurance plan with a long-term care provision.
All benefit eligible employees working over 20 hours per week are enrolled in Long Term Disability Insurance at no cost to the employee. The monthly benefit percentage is 60% of monthly earnings.
Critical Illness insurance coverage may be purchased by the employee. This insurance pays a one-time, lump sum benefit on top of any health insurance benefits that you currently receive upon the diagnosis of a covered disease or illness.
Accident/Specific Injury insurance may be purchased by the employee. This insurance pays you a specific amount on top of any health insurance benefits you currently receive, for specific injuries resulting from a covered accident.
Personal Accident Insurance & Death and Dismemberment Insurance may be purchased by the employee. This insurance pays a one benefit based on death or extent of injury/disability.
Further information regarding the above Life, Disability & Accident Insurances, costs and coverage can be found at the following link:
Employee Assistance Program
This program is available to all employees of the Court at no cost to the employee. This plan is there to ensure Court employees have the support needed to manage the many challenges life may present.
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time, Regular Status (benefitted)
Job Number: 2502LRASUPSC
Department: South County Operations
Opening Date: 02/17/2025
Closing Date: 2/23/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Description
Posting is for internal candidates only.
This position is located in Santa Barbara.
Under general direction, assigns, supervises and evaluates the work of a staff of attorneys providing legal support to the court; advises the court on legal aspects of administrative and operational issues; and performs difficult and complex legal work.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the supervisory level of the Legal Research Attorney series. Incumbents may be assigned to support general research or specialties such as, but not limited to, family law, self help centers or probate. The preponderant role of positions in this class is supervising the work of other attorneys as well as performing research for the most difficult cases. This class is distinguished from the lower level class of Legal Research Attorney, Senior in that it describes overall supervisory responsibility for a functional unit comprised of attorneys, senior attorneys and other legal staff. Furthermore, Legal Research Attorney, Senior may mentor, train and assign the work of subordinate attorneys, but they do not have full supervisory responsibility.
Examples of Duties
Employment Standards
Any combination of training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Typical ways to obtain the knowledge and abilities required would be:
Additional Requirements: Incumbents must be willing to travel between court branch offices at various locations throughout the county.
Knowledge of:
- Principles of civil and criminal law
- Ethics of law practice
- Principles and practices of supervision
- The principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research and writing
- Trial procedure and rules of evidence
- Proper English usage and grammar
- Statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California
Ability to:
- Present statements of facts and law and argue clearly and logically on behalf of the court
- Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action
- Communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
- Maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse levels, backgrounds and opinions
- Exercise discretion, tact, and diplomacy
- Operate Court technological devices (i.e. phones, faxes, computers, software, etc)
- Effectively delegate and prioritize work
There are a variety of benefits available to regular status employees of the Superior Court of CA, County of Santa Barbara. These benefits include: medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs, retirement program, flexible spending account (health care, dependent care, transportation and parking), employee assistance program, and deferred compensation program.
General Benefits
Paid Holidays - Full-time Court employees receive 14 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday
Paid Sick Leave - Full-time Court employees accrue 12 paid sick days each year
Paid Vacation - Full-time Court employees accrue paid vacation time based on their years of service as follows:
Vacation Accrual
0-2 years - 12 days per year
2-4 years - 16 days per year
4-10 years - 19 days per year
10-14 years - 22 days per year
14+ years - 25 days per year
NOTE: Individuals from other federal, state and/or local public agencies who are entering employment with the Court may receive service credit towards vacation accrual.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
The Court pays:
100% of employee health premium
100% of the premium for Employee + dependent and Employee + Family
100% of employee dental premium, this amount is applied to all levels of coverage
Coverage for spouse, children and domestic partner are also available. For more information regarding the cost of the medical, dental and vision plans, and the Court's contribution please see the following links (amounts are based on full-time employment, or 40 hours per week):
NOTE: All Court health plans for part-time employees are the same, but the Court's contribution towards the premiums, and the biweekly cash allowance are provided on a pro-rated basis.
Alternative Transportation Benefit
Regular employees using alternative transportation (i.e. walking, biking, public transportation, carpool, vanpool, etc) may be eligible to earn an additional .62 hours of paid vacation time biweekly. This may result in an overall benefit equivalent to 2 additional vacation days per year (based on full-time employment).
Retirement
2% at age 62, 3 year final average salary. The Court makes a considerable biweekly contribution to the retirement plan on behalf of employees. All regular employees of the Court are required enroll in the General Retirement Plan administered by the Santa Barbara County Employee's Retirement System (SBCERS). More information regarding the rates of contribution by the employee and employer, vesting, and retirement options may be found at the following link: If you have previous public employment, you may qualify for a different retirement plan.
The Court also offers a Deferred Compensation plan administered by Empower. This is a voluntary program which allows the employee to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to an investment account to supplement retirement income. The Court also offers a Roth option.
Flexible Spending Account
Flexible spending accounts (FSA) are among the most significant tax shelters allowed by the IRS. Employees may choose to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to this account to be used throughout the benefit plan year to cover out of pocket health care, dependent care and transportation and parking costs. More information regarding Flexible Spending Accounts can be found at the following link:
Life, Disability & Accident Insurances
The Court provides Basic Life Insurance coverage to the employee in the amount $50,000 at no cost to the employee. Additional, Supplemental Life Insurance coverage for the employee, spouse and/or children may be purchased by the employee.This includes a life insurance plan with a long-term care provision.
All benefit eligible employees working over 20 hours per week are enrolled in Long Term Disability Insurance at no cost to the employee. The monthly benefit percentage is 60% of monthly earnings.
Critical Illness insurance coverage may be purchased by the employee. This insurance pays a one-time, lump sum benefit on top of any health insurance benefits that you currently receive upon the diagnosis of a covered disease or illness.
Accident/Specific Injury insurance may be purchased by the employee. This insurance pays you a specific amount on top of any health insurance benefits you currently receive, for specific injuries resulting from a covered accident.
Personal Accident Insurance & Death and Dismemberment Insurance may be purchased by the employee. This insurance pays a one benefit based on death or extent of injury/disability.
Further information regarding the above Life, Disability & Accident Insurances, costs and coverage can be found at the following link:
Employee Assistance Program
This program is available to all employees of the Court at no cost to the employee. This plan is there to ensure Court employees have the support needed to manage the many challenges life may present.