Judicial Staff Attorney - Br. 6, 13, 14, 16
Apply NowCompany: Dane County, WI
Location: Madison, WI 53711
Description:
Salary: $36.66 - $43.66 Hourly
Location : Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Job Number: 2025-00240
Department: Clerk of Courts
Opening Date: 04/25/2025
Closing Date: 5/9/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: ATT
Description
Dane County Circuit Court is recruiting for one (1) full-time (1.0 FTE) Judicial Staff Attorney position.
Staff Attorneys work under the supervision of the assigned judges to assist the court in legal research and legal writing, and perform other duties as required.
Please submit a letter of interest, resume, three (3) references, a legal writing sample (no more than six (6) pages) and a copy of a law school transcript showing class work and graduation date.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 am - 4:30 pm in person at the Dane County Courthouse.
The Eligible List created from this vacancy will be used for the next six (6) months.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Under the supervision of the designated judge, conduct legal research; organize and evaluate information; draft memos, orders, and decisions; and monitor the status of pending cases. Assist the Court in the review and disposition of cases filed by inmates of Wisconsin jails and correctional institutions by screening and processing papers in the Circuit Court of Dane County.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Read and evaluate motions and briefs filed by litigants. Perform legal research via the use of online or physical reference tools in order to assist the judiciary with drafting decisions and orders. Review prisoner litigation filings for legal and procedural sufficiency. Without providing legal assistance or advice, correspond with prisoner litigants when necessary. Prepare recommendations and reports necessary for the assigned judge to proceed with the prisoner litigation case.
Education, Experience and Special Requirements
Graduation (or anticipated graduation within one semester) from an accredited law school. Prefer knowledge of Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and Dane County Circuit Court Rules and operations.
Background Check Statement:
Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
For Bilingual Positions:
Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Hmong, etc.). Applicants being considered for Bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process. This may consist of either being able to respond to questions in that language (e.g., Spanish, Hmong, etc.) during the interview; or passing an oral translation (English to foreign language / foreign language to English) exam prior to employment.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Professional office work environment. Manual dexterity using fine and gross motor skills. Good visual acuity and hearing with or without corrective devices. Prolonged periods of computer use. Ability to type for extended periods of time.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of legal terms, papers and forms. Ability to conduct legal research and maintain currency with changes in statutes and rules applicable to this position. Ability to work independently, set priorities and maintain a current workload so as to meet all legal and administrative deadlines. Ability to interpret and apply laws and rules as they relate to prisoner litigation. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with many judges, clerks and other court-related departments. Familiarity with automated legal research tools is preferred, along with knowledge of Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and Dane County Circuit Court Rules and operations.
Become a part of the Dane County Team!
We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit
Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.
Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).
Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.
Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.
Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.
Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.
Like our Facebook page:
Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page:
Location : Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Job Number: 2025-00240
Department: Clerk of Courts
Opening Date: 04/25/2025
Closing Date: 5/9/2025 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: ATT
Description
Dane County Circuit Court is recruiting for one (1) full-time (1.0 FTE) Judicial Staff Attorney position.
Staff Attorneys work under the supervision of the assigned judges to assist the court in legal research and legal writing, and perform other duties as required.
Please submit a letter of interest, resume, three (3) references, a legal writing sample (no more than six (6) pages) and a copy of a law school transcript showing class work and graduation date.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 am - 4:30 pm in person at the Dane County Courthouse.
The Eligible List created from this vacancy will be used for the next six (6) months.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Under the supervision of the designated judge, conduct legal research; organize and evaluate information; draft memos, orders, and decisions; and monitor the status of pending cases. Assist the Court in the review and disposition of cases filed by inmates of Wisconsin jails and correctional institutions by screening and processing papers in the Circuit Court of Dane County.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Read and evaluate motions and briefs filed by litigants. Perform legal research via the use of online or physical reference tools in order to assist the judiciary with drafting decisions and orders. Review prisoner litigation filings for legal and procedural sufficiency. Without providing legal assistance or advice, correspond with prisoner litigants when necessary. Prepare recommendations and reports necessary for the assigned judge to proceed with the prisoner litigation case.
Education, Experience and Special Requirements
Graduation (or anticipated graduation within one semester) from an accredited law school. Prefer knowledge of Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and Dane County Circuit Court Rules and operations.
Background Check Statement:
Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
For Bilingual Positions:
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Professional office work environment. Manual dexterity using fine and gross motor skills. Good visual acuity and hearing with or without corrective devices. Prolonged periods of computer use. Ability to type for extended periods of time.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of legal terms, papers and forms. Ability to conduct legal research and maintain currency with changes in statutes and rules applicable to this position. Ability to work independently, set priorities and maintain a current workload so as to meet all legal and administrative deadlines. Ability to interpret and apply laws and rules as they relate to prisoner litigation. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with many judges, clerks and other court-related departments. Familiarity with automated legal research tools is preferred, along with knowledge of Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules and Dane County Circuit Court Rules and operations.
Become a part of the Dane County Team!
We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit
Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.
Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).
Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.
Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.
Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.
Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.
Like our Facebook page:
Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page: