Senior Appellate Court Attorney; Level B - Senior

The California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two, located in Riverside, decides cases at the forefront of California’s civil and criminal jurisprudence. The court is currently recruiting talented lawyers with a love for the law and writing, a strong work ethic and a dedication to excellence to serve. The court values diversity and inclusion in our workplace. Working as an appellate court attorney offers a unique opportunity to think and write about developing issues in the law.

Your work at the court would include drafting proposed opinions in all areas of appellate law including criminal, civil, and juvenile. An appellate court attorney must have superior legal research and writing skills and the ability to present a statement of facts, law and argument clearly, concisely and logically in written form.

Litigation experience or a prior judicial clerkship are desirable, but a proven interest in legal writing and analysis, and a desire to contribute to the judicial branch are a must. The Court offers a generous compensation and benefits package, including opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling, subject to the direction and approval of the justice or supervisor.

The position is being recruited at levels B to Senior and will be staffed at a level commensurate with the qualifications of the selected individuals.

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• $130 transit pass subsidy per month
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flex Elect program

The Court of Appeal of the Fourth Appellate District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants should have appellate court experience, or experience in either appellate litigation or trial litigation with substantial writing experience. They should also have exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills; broad and practical knowledge of the law; familiarity with appellate practice; mature and sound judgment; attention to detail; good time-management skills; and ability to work both independently and cooperatively with other members of the court staff.

Applicants should welcome supervision and editing of their work product. Experience with computerized legal research, word processing skills, and knowledge of software applications are also essential.

In addition to the foregoing minimum qualifications, a candidate with at least three years’ experience as a judicial staff attorney, as an appellate practitioner, or in a position involving a comparable legal writing and analysis focus and the exercise of adjudicatory (as opposed to solely advocacy) skills is desirable. A broad and practical knowledge of the law, familiarity with appellate practice, mature and sound judgment and the ability to work cooperatively with others are also important, as is the ability to accept editing of one’s work product.

Applicants must have at least the following:

Active membership in the State Bar of California and:

• Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of two years of post‑bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
• OR Equivalent to two years of post‑bar legal experience in a legal setting as described above, including one year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level A, with the judicial branch.
• Level C:
  Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of three years of post‑bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
• OR One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level B, with the judicial branch.
• Level D:
  Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of four years of post‑bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice,…