DESCRIPTION:

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is pleased to announce an opening for a Staff Attorney to serve as Legal Advisor and staff to the Minnesota District Judges Association (MDJA) and the Minnesota District Judges Foundation (MDJF). This position will provide specialized legal research to District Court Judges and Law Clerks and will provide professional level staff services to the MDJA, MDJF and associated committees. This confidential position requires a high degree of professional responsibility, legal proficiency, and commitment to high quality work. Work direction will be received by the MDJA and MDJF Presidents and district court judges and will be reviewed for accuracy, timeliness and adherence to relevant legal principles and practices, statutes, case law, rules or procedures of the courts and Judicial Branch policies.

The position is classified as an Attorney and will work approximately 32 hours per week during normal business hours, Monday-Friday.  This position has a flexible work environment.  It allows for work from home, some work conducted from an office at the Minnesota Judicial Center, in St. Paul, Minnesota and some work conduct at off-site meeting locations.  The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers a comprehensive benefits package.  To learn more about benefits, click here. 

*Please note: This position is a confidential, at-will position. It is the Policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that no Judicial Branch employee shall engage in the practice of law outside of court employment. 

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES:

The following are examples of major job duties expected for this position to perform:

• Provide specialized legal research, written analysis, advice and recommendations to judges and law clerks on a wide variety of procedural and substantive matters including but not limited to case law, jury instructions, rules of evidence and related legal matters. Track requests and responses for needs analysis for ongoing support to the courts. 
• Review and index Minnesota appellate and U.S. Supreme Court opinions in specialty areas.
• Serve as legal staff and secretary to the board for MDJA and MDJF. Creates agendas; drafts reports; compiles and analyzes information from board members, researches issues and presents analyses, composes iterative drafts of reports for board discussion and approval.
• Provide professional-level staff services to MDJA and MDJF committees and subcommittees including, but not limited to, Pension and Benefits Committee, , Board of Judicial Standards Committee, Program and Education Committee; Finance Committee, and Judicial Elections Committee. Draft and review articles and bylaws; draft, update and maintain handbooks and other materials; prepare and distributes notices and agendas; prepare meeting summaries and minutes; write reports; follow up on decisions made by the committee; and, anticipate future committee needs. 
• Assist MDJA and MDJF Treasurers with budget tracking and reports.
• Coordinate and contribute to special projects as assigned. 
• Participate in the Judicial Fall Educational Conference coordination and staffing.
• Provide support during the legislative session to coordinate with lobbyists and judges.  

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited law school.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of substantive and procedural law.
• Knowledge of state laws, Supreme Court rules, established precedents, and sources of legal references.
• Knowledge of trial and appellate court procedures and rules.
• Ability to research legal issues using printed and computerized sources.
• Ability to work effectively with judges, court staff; administrative staff, and the public.
• Skill in handling multiple competing tasks and priorities.
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer with word processing and legal research software.
• Skill in practically applying the law in the area of assignment.
• Skill in analyzing, appraising, organizing, and presenting facts, law, evidence, and precedents concerned in assigned work and preparing clear and concise documents or reports.
• Skill in applying legal principles and logical thinking to individual cases, problems, and research.
• Skill in deciding an issue and rendering a legal opinion.
• Skill in reading, analyzing, and interpreting legal documents.
• Skill in presenting material clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in using Microsoft office products to produce documents and familiarity with database management systems and information technology

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience requiring knowledge of court procedures and appellate court rules and practice.
• Three to five years of experience in public or private practice.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

The Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) is committed to providing fair and equal access to justice. If you share this same commitment, desire a meaningful career serving the public, and want the opportunity to make a difference for your community, consider a career with us. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and characteristics. Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as an appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB.

SALARY RANGE:  $36.01 – $55.78/hour ($59,921 – $92,818 annually).

TO APPLY: Visit www.mncourts.gov.  Complete and submit your online application with resume, references, writing sample and cover letter attached by May 24, 2022 at 11:59pm.  Employment offers may be rescinded if the required criminal background check identifies job-related convictions.

It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability.  Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting HR, erick.howatt@courts.state.mn.us.

Minnesota Judicial Branch

Human Resources, Rm. G-08

25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

St. Paul, MN 55155

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.