Attorney II

Overview

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Attorney II in Policy and Research, Executive Office.

The Judicial Council’s Policy and Research Office works in collaboration with the Judicial Council and the courts to identify and develop research and policy agendas on emerging, immediate, and long-term issues integral to the judicial branch. In close partnership with other Judicial Council offices, the courts, and other stakeholders, Policy and Research advances and supports the advancement of these research and policy agendas with the public and with California’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The Attorney II will report to the principal advisor. The attorney will be responsible for supporting the Artificial Intelligence Task Force. The task force is entering a more intensive phase of its work, that includes expanded meeting schedules, increased coordination needs, and the development of recommendations requiring significant legal research, policy analysis, and cross branch engagement. The attorney will, additionally, assist with other key projects.

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.

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, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), 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

• Staff the Artificial Intelligence Task Force
  • Lead the development of policy recommendations by conducting comprehensive research, synthesizing legal, operational, and technological considerations, drafting and revising policy proposals, rules, standards, reports, and guidance materials to support the task force’s charge.
  • Manage the full lifecycle of meeting preparation, including coordinating with task force leadership, developing agendas, producing meeting packets and presentations, and ensuring members receive accurate, timely, and well-organized materials.
  • Develop and support education and outreach efforts by creating training resources, presentations, reference materials, and briefings to inform courts, justice partners, and stakeholders about emerging issues, proposed policies, and the responsible use of AI within the judicial branch.
  • Coordinate engagement with external experts and manage briefing requests.
  • Facilitate collaboration with advisory committees, workgroups, and internal offices to ensure consistency, alignment, and efficient workflow across policy development, public comment review, and implementation planning.
• Provide policy advice on high profile and sensitive issues that impact the Judicial Council, judicial branch, and the public.
  • Meet with Executive Office Leadership, Judicial Council offices, and committee members to discuss and recommend strategy and policy.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in policy development and implementation, providing informed guidance on complex branch wide issues.
  • Analyze complex policy issues and develop integrated advocacy, engagement, and program strategies that support Judicial Council goals
  • Contribute to the development of policy proposals and prepare briefing materials on issues, initiatives, and legislation affecting the branch.
  • Evaluate policy content, implementation, and impact for effectiveness and develop recommendations for improvement.
  • Develop, recommend, and support implementation of communications strategies that effectively convey policy information to internal and external stakeholders.
     

Qualifications

Juris doctor and four (4) years of post-bar experience as a practicing attorney, which includes one (1) year of supervisory experience.

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.

OR

Two (2) years as an Attorney, in the assigned area, with the Judicial Council of California or two (2) years of experience performing the duties of a class comparable in the level of responsibility to that of an Attorney in a California superior court or California state-level government entity and a) completion of training courses on topics related to effective supervision within six (6) months of promotion; or b) one (1) year of previous supervisory experience.
 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated excellence in written, verbal, and interpersonal communication, including the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Highly developed legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience working in or with public-sector organizations, including government agencies, courts, or policy institutions.

SKILLS

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with sound judgment and the ability to navigate nuanced or sensitive issues.
• Advanced communication and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, collaboration, and effective public speaking.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate deadlines, and balance short and long term workload demands.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively and proactively to a team environment.
• Ability to listen to, understand, and incorporate multiple perspectives.
• Ability to build and maintain effective, professional working relationships across teams and stakeholder groups.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policy frameworks relevant to artificial intelligence and related emerging technologies.
• Principles and methods of legal research and analysis, including electronic research tools and methodologies.
• Principles and methods of legal writing, editing, and document development.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Current membership with the State Bar of California prior to hire.
   

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, and a resume. Please apply by 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

To complete an online application, click on the Apply to 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. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available by dialing 711. Once connected, provide the relay operator with the number for Human Resources: 415-865-4260.
 

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 Services Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
   

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, please provide a response to the following questions. Your answers should not exceed a total of three pages.

1. Please describe, in some detail, your experience conducting legal research and producing written analyses on complex and nuanced legal or policy issues, and explain how this experience prepares you to contribute effectively in a policy driven attorney role. In your response, discuss the specific skills, judgment, and analytical approaches you would bring to this position.