Position: Colorado (USA) CONTRACT LEGAL RESEARCH ATTORNEY

Brief Description

Judicial Branch Overview

The Colorado Judicial Branch is a premier state government agency focusing on state trial courts and offender probation.  Across the many varied career paths within the organization we universally recruit ambitious individuals to become valued public servants and future leaders.  We are seeking applicants who want to contribute in making the Judicial Branch the “employer of choice” in Colorado.  In addition, our desire is to hire professionals who consistently demonstrate integrity, embrace change, and contribute to the bottom line success of their smaller work team and the larger goals of the organization.

In return, you will gain valuable experience with a progressive organization known as one of the top judicial systems in the nation.  The Judicial Branch allows employees to work with creativity in a unique culture defined by ethics, where execution, excellence and high performance are rewarded.  Career opportunities abound within the organization as the average Judicial employee has tenure of 10+ years of service.

In a recent statewide employee survey an overwhelming majority of our employees ranked “sufficient work/life balance” as the #1 benefit of their job.  Additionally, Judicial Branch employees take great pride in serving an organization that provides high-quality services to Colorado residents.  Providing a positive work environment and culture with a competitive total rewards compensation package, the Colorado Judicial Branch is the solid career opportunity for which you have been seeking!

General Statement of Duties

Provides highly complex legal service performing legal research for the entire bench in a judicial district.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the above essential functions.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited law school; possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Colorado; and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Colorado.

Additional Comments

Statement Of Duties:

Provides highly complex legal service performing legal research for members of the judiciary (judges, clerks, staff attorneys) and legal reference for non-judicial branch library users.

Distinguishing Factors:

Positions in this classification are distinguished from law clerks and other positions due to the concentration on legal research. This position reports to the Supervising Law Librarian.

Essential Functions Of the Position:

Researches legal issues presented by judges, clerks, staff attorneys and other judicial staff.

Advises judges, clerks, staff attorneys, and other judicial staff on research results.

Reviews documents and pleadings filed with the court as assigned by individual judges.

Compiles information gained from research on particular issues in a case or assigned research project.

Maintains library materials including books, electronic media, and electronic research subscriptions.

Recommends library materials for research and reference purposes.

Provides professional in-person legal reference services during regular shifts on the library reference desk.

Attends meetings and training as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

No formal supervisory responsibility.  Responsibility for one’s own work product and work within a unit performing similar functions.  Rarely provides lead function, advice, or explains work instructions to other employees or volunteers.

Minimum Required Experience:

Significant Colorado legal practice and/or Colorado legal research experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Dual degree lawyer librarians (JD/MLIS; JD/MLS) who meet the minimum legal research experience requirement are encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Occasionally handles emergency or crisis situations; frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Additional:                

To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter and writing sample.

Job Description

EEO/AA/ADA EMPLOYER NOTICE!

Each person employed must present identity and employment eligibility verification.

NOTICE! Employees hired after March 1, 1988, must be on the payroll direct deposit program.

NOTICE! Disabled applicants: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the hiring authority.

NOTICE! All prospective employees of the Colorado Judicial Branch are subject to background investigation prior to hiring.

INFORMATION ALERT: Judicial Branch employees may not hold office in a political party, nor may they promote one political party or candidate over another in partisan political elections.  Employees may hold non-partisan public office provided that there is no conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety with the duties performed for the Judicial Branch.  In all cases, it will be within the discretion of the Chief Judge of the judicial district to determine whether such a conflict exists.  Employees shall seek the prior approval of the Chief Judge before seeking or assuming any such office.  Work related to any office held may not be performed on Judicial Branch time.  Membership on a board or commission that requires registration or party identification as a qualification is not considered to be partisan political office.