County of San Mateo
Criminal Court Staff Attorney II (Open and Promotional)
County of San Mateo, Redwood City, California, United States, 94061
The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is seeking qualified and experienced candidates for the position of
Criminal Court Staff Attorney II . The hired candidate will perform legal research in criminal law matters for the judicial officers of the Court. The
ideal candidate
will be a member of the California State Bar (required), have a minimum of five (5) years current experience handling a variety of criminal cases and possess a broad working knowledge of California criminal law and the functions of a California superior court. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess: Proven experience performing legal research in criminal matters, including habeas petitions and misdemeanor appeals. Strong analytical skills and writing ability. The ability to work independently and with minimal supervision. The ability to coordinate multiple projects and consistently meet deadlines. Excellent problem solving skills. A strong understanding of the importance of, and the ability to maintain, confidentiality. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Responsibilities: Provide legal research on criminal matters for the entire San Mateo County bench. Provide written memoranda for criminal motions set on the Presiding Judge's master calendar and the Criminal Presiding Judge's calendar. Review and make recommendations regarding any ex parte criminal motions presented to the court. Draft orders and prepare memoranda on specially set matters and present them to the respective judge. Review and brief all habeas corpus petitions filed with the court. Prepare written analysis on legal issues as assigned by the supervising research attorney. Research and brief all criminal matters on the Superior Court's monthly appellate calendar. Education and Experience:
You could be just the right applicant for this job Read all associated information and make sure to apply. Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years as a Court Staff Attorney I. Knowledge of: Legal terminology, procedures, principles and concepts; Legal research techniques, including the use of case law, statutory law, secondary sources and legal indices and digests; Administrative procedures of the superior court; Office practices and procedures, including filing and operation of standard office equipment; Business data processing principles and the use of automation tools for retrieval and analysis; Business letter and legal document formatting; Correct use of English, including grammar, spelling and punctuation; Rules of evidence and trial and hearing procedures; Computer applications related to legal research. Skill/Ability to: Interpret, evaluate, make decisions in accordance with, and explain complex laws, regulations, policies and procedures; Perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems; Prepare statements of fact, law and argument; Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, documents, correspondence, procedures and other written materials; Make sound, independent decisions within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. Other Requirements: Licensed by the California State Bar Association to practice law in California. Open & Promotional:
Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score. This recruitment is open to any attorney with the minimum qualifications, who is a member in good standing with the California State Bar. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidate's application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense. IMPORTANT:
Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the
Apply
button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to
https://jobs.smcgov.org/
to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date. Complete online application packets will consist of: A completed standard Court/County of San Mateo online application form. Responses to the supplemental questions that are part of the online application form. A resume attached to the online application form. A writing sample specific to a criminal motion you have briefed and argued, no longer than five (5) pages, also attached to the application form. PLEASE NOTE:
Incomplete application packets will not be reviewed. In case of a high volume of applications, the court reserves the right to limit the number of candidates interviewed to the most highly qualified. County of San Mateo Human Resources Department Attn: Sedrick Dixon 500 County Center - 4th Floor Redwood City, CA 94063 Telephone: 650-363-4361 Email: sdixon@smcgov.org TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE: Final Filing Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 11:59 PM PST Application Screening: Week of March 31 - April 4, 2025 Panel Interview: April 16 and/or 17, 2025 About the County: San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels. The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is an
Equal Opportunity Employer , and we encourage applications from candidates who will contribute to our diversity. Please Note: The County is conducting this recruitment for the Superior Court. This position is with the Superior Court of California. Analyst: Sedrick Dixon (02262025) (Court Staff Attorney - X435)
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Criminal Court Staff Attorney II . The hired candidate will perform legal research in criminal law matters for the judicial officers of the Court. The
ideal candidate
will be a member of the California State Bar (required), have a minimum of five (5) years current experience handling a variety of criminal cases and possess a broad working knowledge of California criminal law and the functions of a California superior court. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess: Proven experience performing legal research in criminal matters, including habeas petitions and misdemeanor appeals. Strong analytical skills and writing ability. The ability to work independently and with minimal supervision. The ability to coordinate multiple projects and consistently meet deadlines. Excellent problem solving skills. A strong understanding of the importance of, and the ability to maintain, confidentiality. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Responsibilities: Provide legal research on criminal matters for the entire San Mateo County bench. Provide written memoranda for criminal motions set on the Presiding Judge's master calendar and the Criminal Presiding Judge's calendar. Review and make recommendations regarding any ex parte criminal motions presented to the court. Draft orders and prepare memoranda on specially set matters and present them to the respective judge. Review and brief all habeas corpus petitions filed with the court. Prepare written analysis on legal issues as assigned by the supervising research attorney. Research and brief all criminal matters on the Superior Court's monthly appellate calendar. Education and Experience:
You could be just the right applicant for this job Read all associated information and make sure to apply. Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years as a Court Staff Attorney I. Knowledge of: Legal terminology, procedures, principles and concepts; Legal research techniques, including the use of case law, statutory law, secondary sources and legal indices and digests; Administrative procedures of the superior court; Office practices and procedures, including filing and operation of standard office equipment; Business data processing principles and the use of automation tools for retrieval and analysis; Business letter and legal document formatting; Correct use of English, including grammar, spelling and punctuation; Rules of evidence and trial and hearing procedures; Computer applications related to legal research. Skill/Ability to: Interpret, evaluate, make decisions in accordance with, and explain complex laws, regulations, policies and procedures; Perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems; Prepare statements of fact, law and argument; Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, documents, correspondence, procedures and other written materials; Make sound, independent decisions within established legal, policy and procedural guidelines; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. Other Requirements: Licensed by the California State Bar Association to practice law in California. Open & Promotional:
Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score. This recruitment is open to any attorney with the minimum qualifications, who is a member in good standing with the California State Bar. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidate's application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense. IMPORTANT:
Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the
Apply
button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to
https://jobs.smcgov.org/
to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date. Complete online application packets will consist of: A completed standard Court/County of San Mateo online application form. Responses to the supplemental questions that are part of the online application form. A resume attached to the online application form. A writing sample specific to a criminal motion you have briefed and argued, no longer than five (5) pages, also attached to the application form. PLEASE NOTE:
Incomplete application packets will not be reviewed. In case of a high volume of applications, the court reserves the right to limit the number of candidates interviewed to the most highly qualified. County of San Mateo Human Resources Department Attn: Sedrick Dixon 500 County Center - 4th Floor Redwood City, CA 94063 Telephone: 650-363-4361 Email: sdixon@smcgov.org TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE: Final Filing Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 11:59 PM PST Application Screening: Week of March 31 - April 4, 2025 Panel Interview: April 16 and/or 17, 2025 About the County: San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels. The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo is an
Equal Opportunity Employer , and we encourage applications from candidates who will contribute to our diversity. Please Note: The County is conducting this recruitment for the Superior Court. This position is with the Superior Court of California. Analyst: Sedrick Dixon (02262025) (Court Staff Attorney - X435)
#J-18808-Ljbffr