Job Description

Attorney II Position

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Attorney II with the Criminal Justice Services office.

The Attorney II position will provide oral and written legal advice on issues related to criminal law policy, procedures, and programs; draft legal opinions and memoranda; conduct legal research; assist in the development of Judicial Council criminal justice policy and projects, including efforts related to sentencing reforms, pretrial programs, mental health, firearms, and traffic procedures; provide legal services to assist in the fulfillment of responsibilities of various advisory committees, including the Criminal Law Advisory Committee, the Traffic Advisory Committee, and the Advisory Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions. This work includes the development of recommendations for Judicial Council forms, rules of court, jury instructions, and legislation to improve the administration of justice in criminal matters.

The legal team of the Criminal Justice Services office provides criminal law subject matter expertise and performs a broad range of legal duties for the Judicial Council and its internal and advisory bodies, the 58 superior courts, and other Judicial Council divisions. To enhance the services provided, CJS attorneys develop specialized expertise within the broader criminal law subject matter.

The Judicial Council of California is the policy setting body for the state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority. This authority includes developing, advocating for, and allocating the judicial branch budget. A majority of Council members are California state justices and judges; however, the Council also includes lawyers, legislators, and court administrators.

By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council's staff organization seeks to continue to evolve as one of California's most dynamic public service entities, focused on improving access to justice for all Californians by innovating and responding to the changing needs of the courts and the public. As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations. As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Judicial Council strives for work-life balance, including substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package, including pension, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending, up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, and retirement savings plans. The San Francisco office is only a 7-minute walk from the downtown Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is located minutes from downtown, just north of Discovery Park.

The Judicial Council offers hybrid work arrangements for many positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person at the Judicial Council's San Francisco or Sacramento office at least two days per week, based on their office leader's direction, and reside in the areas surrounding these locations. To be eligible for Judicial Council employment and participation in the Judicial Council's Hybrid Work Program, a prospective or current employee's primary residence/remote work location must be in the State of California and within a 150-mile driving radius of their assigned reporting location.

Responsibilities

• With Supervising Attorney oversight, provide legal services to Judicial Council advisory committees, including the Criminal Law Advisory Committee, the Traffic Advisory Committee, and the Advisory Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions.
• With Supervising Attorney approval, provide oral and written legal advice to courts on issues related to criminal law and procedure.
• Provide oral and written legal advice and criminal law subject matter expertise to other Judicial Council divisions, including Legal Services, Governmental Affairs, Center for Judicial Education and Resources, and Finance.
• Assist in the development of Judicial Council criminal justice policy, programs, and projects.
• Conduct legal research and analysis and draw legal conclusions; articulate the underlying legal analyses, conclusions, alternatives, rationale, impact on courts, impact on the public, and other information to enable the committee to make appropriate and effective decisions and recommendations.
• Develop legislative, form, and rule proposals regarding criminal law and procedures, including proposals to implement criminal justice realignment and related sentencing reforms, intercounty transfers, disposition reporting, supervision revocation proceedings, evidence-based practices, and mental health issues.
• Perform legal research and analysis; review criminal law statutes, procedures, case law, constitutional principles, and legislative histories.
• Research statutes, rules, legislative histories, and form histories.
• Develop recommendations and proposals for the advisory committee regarding statewide implementation of criminal procedures and criminal court administration; advise advisory committee members regarding legal issues related to proposals for court implementation; provide legal analysis and recommendations for all advisory committee proposals.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Juris doctor and three (3) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorney. After passing a state bar, work experience as a Law Clerk to a federal or state judge prior to formal bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.

Licensing and Certifications Current active membership with the State Bar of California prior to hire.

Desirable Qualifications

• At least two years of experience as a criminal prosecutor or defense attorney in a California superior court.
• Experience as a deputy attorney general or criminal appellate attorney.
• Experience as a superior or appellate court research attorney with an emphasis in traffic and criminal law and procedure.
• Outstanding legal research, analytical, and oral and written communication skills.
• Experience researching, analyzing, and writing legal memoranda or briefs about complex areas of law.
• Ability to set priorities, produce high-quality work products under pressure, respond with flexibility to changing program demands, and work efficiently and independently but with close supervision of final work products.
• Experience with court and judicial branch administration.
• Experience drafting neutral legal opinions for clients, in particular governmental entity clients.

Other Information

Please note, if you are selected for hire, verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work in the United States will be required.

How To Apply

This position requires the submission of our official application, responses to the supplemental questions, writing sample, and a resume. Please apply by October 26, 2026.

The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation. Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay and Benefits

$13,383 - $16,058 per month

Please note due to statewide fiscal conditions, the posted salary range is subject to a temporary 3% reduction. In exchange for this temporary reduction, judicial branch employees accrue an additional 5 hours of paid personal leave per month through June 30, 2027.

Some 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 reimbursement 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
• Pretax Parking
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, please provide a response to the following questions.

1. Please explain why you are interested in this position and why you consider yourself a desirable candidate for the position.
2. Please describe your experience as an attorney working on criminal law and procedure matters including any experience working with criminal justice system partners, analyzing the impacts of public policy decisions, or providing legal advice to clients.
3. Please describe the area that you feel is most in need of improvement in the criminal justice system in which you have practiced and possible ways of bringing about that improvement.

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