Judicial Law Clerk​/Staff Attorney

Job Overview

The Judicial Staff Attorney is a Judicial appointed position that qualifies for City employee benefits

The Judges of the Fifth Judicial Circuit seek a Virginia licensed attorney to perform professional legal services for the judges including reviewing of civil and criminal motions, researching whether matters are properly served and noticed, conducting legal research, and drafting legal memoranda, prospective civil orders and legal opinions for the Court. The law clerk/staff attorney will work within broad policy and organization guidelines established by the judges of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

The Employee’s function is necessary to ensure that the Circuit Court serves the public efficiently. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy, and discretion in frequent contact with attorneys, public officials and employees, and the general public.

Reports to the Chief Circuit Court Judge.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

• Serves as staff attorney for the four (4) Circuit Court Judges.
• Responsible for legal research and analysis of legal issues for the weekly motions docket of the judges; including:
• checking each motion for compliance with procedural legal requirements;
• calling non‑compliant lawyers/legal staff, to enable them to bring their motions into compliance before motions day;
• providing the judges with statutes and rules, for their review, on simple legal issues;
• writing bench briefs involving legal research and analysis on complex legal issues;
• assisting with and attending motions arguments in court, and
• drafting opinion letters for the judges as requested.
• Reviews a variety of orders, petitions and motions submitted daily to the judges to address compliance with statutory and other legal requirements, and responds to the parties and their counsel regarding such orders.
• Prepares draft orders for various matters, including orders for pro se parties and orders related to concealed weapon permits and orders to vacate, dismiss, remand and continue.
• Coordinates with the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office as needed, including questions regarding files on behalf of pro se parties.
• Responds to emails and telephone inquiries by unrepresented parties or attorneys concerning procedural matters, or to review orders to determine compliance.
• Attends and/or reviews recordings of dockets as requested by the judge to note the judge’s ruling or record pro se parties’ agreement to incorporate.
• Coordinates hearings and orders for judges when assigned to special Virginia Supreme Court matters, including Virginia State Bar three‑judge panels, election recount courts and Supreme Court commission assignments.
• Performs legal research and analysis of habeas corpus petitions, writing bench briefs and drafting legal opinions.
• Prepares and/or reviews proposed responses to correspondence received by the judges and the clerk of the court from prisoners and/or their counsel.
• Prepares civil support guidelines for pendente lite hearings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school; license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia; 1 to 2 years of experience in the practice of civil and/or criminal law preferred. Requires a valid driver's license.

Applicants must also attach a writing sample upon application.

• Knowledge of Virginia criminal law and procedure.
• Knowledge of Virginia civil law and procedure.
• Knowledge of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence and professional responsibility.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and court…