Job Description

Position Summary

This is professional legal work supporting the judiciary of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Work involves providing the judges assistance with writing briefs and memoranda, drafting opinions, and advising on legal and administrative issues. This position reports directly to the Director and/or Department head of programs such as commerce, complex litigation, senior judge complex, motions, and the post-conviction relief act unit.

Pursuant to the Supreme Court's Per Curiam Order dated December 29, 2015, an attorney employed in the Unified Judicial System shall be prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which the attorney is employed.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume, cover letter, and writing sample.

Essential Functions

• Responsibilities include (i) conducting research, (ii) drafting legal memoranda and orders; and (iii) drafting judicial opinions
• Provide reports and recommendations to judges on complex legal issues presented in both motions and statutory appeals from local and state agencies.
• Ability to prepare, for judicial approval, notices, orders, and opinions
• Review and draft dispositions on petitions for relief.
• Handle emergency responsibilities during business hours. This requires interfacing with other departments/division, judges and judicial staff, and members of the public.
• Provide support, on a flexible as-needed basis, to judges.
• Research legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, decisions, and precedents of higher courts.
• Search for and study legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration.
• Prepare high-quality briefs, orders, and opinions by reviewing documents, files, and case correspondence and submit to assigned judicial authority for review and signature in a timely manner.
• Maintain files on case documents and all related correspondence.
• Complete administrative tasks associated with assigned caseload.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, and diverse court clientele and members of the public.
• Perform related work as required with strict adherence to deadlines.

** ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:**

Standard courtroom and clerical office conditions.

Direct contact with diverse court clientele.

** MARGINAL FUNCTIONS**

Provide general information pertaining to the assigned functions.

Perform related work as required.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume, cover letter, and writing sample.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the state and local rules of civil and criminal procedure and statutes;
• Knowledge of the civil case management system (Banner) and criminal case management system (CPCMS);
• Ability to analyze a variety of administrative and procedural problems and to make sound recommendations as to their solution;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, attorneys, supervisors and judiciary;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others;
• Ability to take initiative, set priorities and meet deadlines and to complete assignments in a timely fashion;
• Considerable knowledge of the components and functions of the Trial system;
• Knowledge of legal terminology, of the techniques and processes of legal research, and how to prepare motions, petitions and similar instruments;
• Ability to prepare orders and opinions on petitions, motions and appeals filed, for judicial approval; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, attorneys and associates.

** The First Judicial District is an equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First Judicial District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.**

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume, cover letter, and writing sample.

Qualifications

1. Must be a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in good standing prior to employment start date.
2. Successful completion of a criminal background investigation.
3. Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
4. Covid-19 Vaccination recommended.
5. Full-Time On-Site position.

Additional Information

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume, cover letter, and writing sample.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000

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Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx