Supervising Attorney

Overview

The Judicial Council of California is accepting applications for the position of Supervising Attorney with the Court Assistance, Resources, and Education unit of the Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) to direct and oversee juvenile law projects. CFCC performs a broad range of legal, funding, education, and data analytics functions to assist the courts and improve the quality of justice and services to children, youth, parents, and families.

This position will supervise the operations, staff, and contractors of multiple complex projects to successfully complete the deliverables in the portfolio of the Court Assistance, Resources, and Education group related to the Judicial Resources and Technical Assistance Project, and projects undertaken to implement policy under the purview of the Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee, including development of Judicial Council Rules of Court and Judicial Council forms. The position requires strong, demonstrated supervisory skills. The unit consists of three Attorney II and one Administrative Coordinator. The group carries out complex, high-profile legal analysis and consultation to courts and judicial branch education on behalf of the Judicial Council in all areas of juvenile law. This project is of a highly visible and sensitive nature and requires a supervisor with strong legal and project management skills. Under the direction of the managing attorney and in coordination with a tandem Supervising Attorney, the Supervising Attorney will assign, direct and review legal analysis and consultation conducted by attorneys reviewing the application of federal law and regulation to the adjudication of juvenile dependency and juvenile justice cases. The Supervising Attorney will oversee the implementation through rules and forms of a high-volume of legislative and policy changes in juvenile court proceedings. As necessary, the supervisor will also represent the Judicial Council in federal and state executive branch meetings and collaborate with court leadership to ensure a high-level of customer service.

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

• Respond to action in the Judicial Council and legislature that necessitates changes in California rules of court and forms used in juvenile court proceedings.
• Oversee the identification and development of legal and policy issues requiring the enactment or modification of rules and forms related to juvenile law coordinating and reviewing the work-product of Attorney II who work on rules and forms. Oversee approximately 7-15 rule and form proposals annually.
• Under the direction of the Managing Attorney, and in collaboration with Supervising Attorney (PSN 1270), direct and oversee the legal analysis and reports of attorneys in unit working on the Judicial Resources and Technical Assistance Project.
• Provide legal review and supervision of juvenile staff to the Judicial Council Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee.
• Legal oversight of juvenile law grant projects.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• Recommends selection of staff; 
• Trains staff and proposes internal and external training courses and workshops;  
• Provides for career development and planning for staff;  
• Approves time off requests;  
• Reviews and approves time sheets;  
• Evaluates employee performance and conducts performance reviews; and  
• Administers discipline as required.
   

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.
 

LICENSING & 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 Monday, April 20, 2026.

To complete an online application, 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. 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

$14,421 - $17,306 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

1. Describe your area(s) of legal expertise related to juvenile law and how that knowledge and experience would position you to excel in performing the responsibilities of this position.
2. Describe your experience with policy work including any experience drafting legislation, administrative law, or other legal materials; experience staffing advisory bodies; or other applicable experience.
3. Describe your experience supervising legal and/or multidisciplinary teams. What are the most important skills that you would bring to supervising a high-performance professional team?