Staff Attorney, Hennepin County, Juvenile Court

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Juvenile Division of Hennepin County District Court is seeking a Staff Attorney. This position will conduct legal research and analysis, provide advice and recommendations to judges, referees, law clerks and administration regarding cases and be responsible for developing and providing training to judges, law clerks and court operation associates. Work requires the regular use of professional legal principles and practices, statutes, case law, trial court rules and procedures, and judicial branch policies and procedures to complete assignments. The Staff Attorney also assists as a hearing officer with arraignments for low level status and traffic offenses.

The Staff Attorney classification is distinguished from the Law Clerk classification in that it requires considerable knowledge of trial court procedure and more extensive professional legal experience. 

The Staff Attorney will report to the Juvenile Division Presiding Judge. This position is located on the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC), 590 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415 and the typical hours are 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday, and work is performed primarily onsite. 

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.

• Complete project-based legal work as assigned by the Juvenile Division Presiding Judge and division managers.

• Provide legal advice and procedural assistance to judicial officers, division law clerks, and administration. 

• Develop and maintain an order and legal research database where issues could be identified and searched. Refer judicial officers and law clerks to relevant research and orders.

• Responsible for compiling case summaries of all new statutes and case law and developing policies and/or methods for implementing changes required by statutes or case law. Summarize and be the division resource for new statutes and rules.

• Conduct legal research. Prepare judicial opinions. Prepare Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of law and Orders.

• Assist in development and execution of a division training plan on Juvenile Court rules, statutes, policies and procedures for judicial officers and law clerks; Train court staff on legislative and rule changes. Present at bench meetings

• Substitute for division law clerks in their absence.

• Other duties as assigned

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Possession of a law degree from an accredited college or university 

• Two to three years of experience as an attorney in private or public practice or two years of law clerk experience in a private or public legal setting

• Possession of a current Certificate of Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of trial court procedures and rules of evidence.

• Considerable knowledge of substantive and procedural law, court rules, statues, and case law in all areas of law.

• Proficiency in Westlaw and Microsoft software including SharePoint.

• Skill in applying legal principles and logical thinking to complex cases, problems, and research.

• Excellent writing, research, and personal computer skills.

• Strong communication skills, both speaking and writing.

• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple responsibilities, and work independently with little oversight.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others within and outside of the Judicial Branch.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juvenile law experience working in the Fourth Judicial District Court

• Highly organized individual

• Flexible, with an ability to manage multiple responsibili