Attorney II

Overview

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for an Attorney II to work in the Center for Families, Children & the Courts Court Assistance, Resources, and Education (CARE) unit, with a focus on juvenile law, specifically children in foster care, including title IV-E regulations as required in the Judicial Resources and Technical Assistance (JRTA) program. Attorneys in this unit provide legal assistance and materials to judicial officers, court-appointed counsel, and others working in this highly complex area of juvenile law. As an attorney on the team, you will perform legal analysis of delinquency and dependency case files either in person or virtually depending on the local court resources and practice; assist the court, through written analysis, with legal issues related to case law, documentation of reasonable efforts, and judicial determinations; observe and analyze the effectiveness of attorneys in the courtroom; and serve as a subject matter expert on issues of diversity and equal access to juvenile courts. This work is done to help improve the outcomes for children and families in the juvenile court system.

This position involves substantial telephone and email communication with courts and court partners including county counsel, social workers, and probation officers to discuss findings of file review and provide guidance on improving procedures including guidance on notice provision, adequate documentation of recommended findings in reports to the court, and timely provision of reports to the court. Attorneys in this unit also create, modify and update bench cards and other documents on key hearings for judicial officers and stakeholders, give judicial officers a succinct, updated and legally accurate summary of the key events and decisions required at each hearing as well as provide direct legal assistance and trainings to individual courts or groups of courts as appropriate. This Attorney II position is also expected to develop and deliver court-specific, regional, and statewide trainings; work closely with statewide stakeholders, such as the California Department of Social Services; provide legal analysis to the Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee; and serve as a legal subject matter expert assisting Governmental Affairs in writing, reviewing, and negotiating executive branch legislation.

The Judicial Council 
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. In San Francisco, the office is only a 7-minute walk from the downtown Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is 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.
 

Responsibilities

• For 10-12 counties, performs site visits as a JRTA liaison to analyze and evaluate local juvenile court (dependency and delinquency) practice and procedure. This task is approximately 25% travel at certain times of the year.
• Prepares memorandums with legal guidance to ensure that judicial officers and juvenile court professionals comply with current federal regulations and state law.
• Act as a liaison between the Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) and the court and county.
• Develop legal informational materials for local distribution and update.
• Serve as legal subject matter expert and provide legal analysis and guidance to the Judicial Council Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee through analyzing juvenile and family legal issues.
• Determine how to present legal issues for consideration by juvenile court stakeholders.
• Prepare written reports and memorandum for consideration which frame the policy issues, provide analysis of legal issues, and assess the implementation and operational impact of the proposal on the courts.
• Perform special assignments, as requested by the supervising attorney, including legal research and analysis projects and the development of tools and resources for local courts and CFCC staff.
• Attend Court Assistance, Resources, and Education Team (CARE), JRTA team meetings, CFCC staff meetings, and juvenile trainings for professional development.
• Engage in regular information exchange, advice, and collaboration (via email) with CARE and JRTA team liaisons regarding current legal issues and county issues/needs.

   

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

• Legal practice experience in dependency or juvenile justice cases;
• Knowledge of both federal and state mandates relating to the foster care placement of children;
• Knowledge of the child welfare system and state Department of Social Services policies and practices; Familiarity with juvenile court operations and practices;
• Familiarity with the Indian Child Welfare Act;
• Familiarity with adoption law;
• Familiarity with probate guardianships and conservatorships;
• Knowledge of the title IV-E of the Social Security Act;
• Ability to write legal memorandum and reports;
• Ability to relate well with others, build relationships, and work collaboratively with colleagues, judicial officers, and court professionals;
• Experience working with diverse populations;
• Experience working with court leadership; and
• Strong research and writing skills, including experience writing for a variety of audiences.
   

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 is Open Until Filled and requires the submission of our official application, a resume and a response to the supplemental questions. To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by 5:00 P.M. on July 7, 2025.

To complete the online application, please click the Apply for Job button.

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. 
 

Pay and Benefits

$12,993 - $15,590 per month

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)
   

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, we will review your responses to the following questions. Please indicate for which employer you performed these functions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.

1. Please state your date of admission to the State Bar of California.  
2. Please explain how your professional experience with the juvenile court (dependency or delinquency) makes you interested in this particular position.