Appellate Legal Counsel (Counsel in Charge)
 Oregon Judicial Department | |
 United States, Oregon, Salem | |
 May 21, 2025 | |
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OREGON SUPREME COURT -- APPELLATE LEGAL COUNSEL Repost: This is a reposting of the original Appellate Legal Counsel requisition with changes pertaining to application requirements, hybrid work, Bar membership status, and Requested Skills and Attributes. The prior posting has been cancelled; if you previously applied, you may reapply under this posting. Interviews: We anticipate that interviews will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline. Who we are The Oregon Supreme Court is Oregon’s appellate court of last resort. The Supreme Court is part of the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD), Oregon's state court system, encompassing circuit courts across the state, three statewide courts that include two appellate courts and a tax court, and administration. We are an independent branch of government, and we strive to provide fair and accessible justice services to the people of Oregon. We need staff who value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers and are committed to access to justice, fairness, public service, and efficient court administration. OJD serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role directly affects the people in our state who come to court to have their cases resolved. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work and past lived experience and education, in addition to any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes needed for this position. Benefits to you
Position Highlights The Oregon Supreme Court is hiring an Appellate Legal Counsel (Counsel in Charge). We are recruiting for a leader with extensive appellate law experience who has the ability to provide legal advice concerning all aspects of the Court’s jurisdiction and responsibilities, including complex substantive and procedural questions; the ability to successfully manage the Court’s team of staff attorneys and central staff law clerks; and the ability to effectively serve as the Court’s liaison to various OJD divisions, the Oregon State Bar, and other external entities. In this dynamic role, you will also support the Chief Justice as directed, relating to the Chief Justice’s roles as the leader of the Court and also as the administrative head of OJD. Key responsibilities are as follows: CASES AND RELATED You will work on assigned cases pending before the Court, including conducting research; analyzing facts, parties’ arguments, and legal principles; and providing opinion-drafting and editing support. You also will work on a variety of incoming petitions and motions -- including mandamus, certified questions, certified appeals, and Oregon State Bar matters -- evaluating facts and applicable law, and making appropriate written and oral recommendations. As to the Court’s work generally, you will serve as the Court’s expert and lead resource on applicable procedures, rules, time limitations, protocols, and style and other conventions. You will provide related advice to the Court, including in highly technical, procedurally unique or complex, and publicly sensitive cases. You will track and coordinate communications and logistics for certain cases, such as expedited, high profile, and highly complex cases. You also will serve as a resource for justices and staff on legal substance and editing. You will serve as an advisor to both the Chief Justice and the Court, relating to pending matters and procedures, processes, and protocols. You will meet weekly with the Chief Justice to discuss Court business, planning, and special projects, and will regularly participate in similar discussions with the Court. You will assist the Chief Justice and the Court with workload management. PERSONNEL, TRAINING, AND RECRUITMENT You will supervise staff attorneys and central staff law clerks, including setting expectations for organizational performance, establishing work priorities, assigning work, monitoring and adjusting workflow, and reviewing quality of work. You will organize and plan team meetings for supervised staff, discuss project logistics, and inspire positive relationships and teamwork with justices, staff, and other OJD courts and divisions. You will ensure that the team has opportunities for professional guidance and will provide as needed coaching, guidance, and development opportunities. You will assess the need for new or improved legal staff trainings and training materials, plan and present orientation sessions for new law clerks, and serve as a resource for annual clerkship panels. You will participate in annual recruitment cycles for the appellate court law clerks, to hire central staff law clerks. You will work with the Chief Justice and the court manager to recruit and hire staff attorneys, including updating the position description and draft posting, reviewing and evaluating applications, and participating in interviews. LEADERSHIP AND LIAISON WORK You will work on special projects for the Chief Justice and collaborate as needed with the court manager, justices, staff, and others. You will serve as the Court’s liaison to the Oregon State Bar (OSB) and Board of Bar Examiners, working with Bar leadership on rule and process improvements, special projects, and other planning; and serving on committees and attending events. You also will provide support to the Court on Bar-related updates and rule changes for Court approval. You will serve as the Court’s liaison to several other OJD courts and divisions, such as the Court of Appeals, the Office of General Counsel, and OJD’s Communications Team and Public Information Officer, and participate as directed on OJD committees or special projects. Work with OJD’s Office of General Counsel will include, but will not be limited to, review and comment on proposed legislation affecting the appellate courts and the Chief Justice. You may also serve as a liaison to external groups or entities. Assigned tasks may change to accommodate workload and organizational needs. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission. Location Highlights The Oregon Supreme Court is housed in Salem in the more than 100-year-old Oregon Supreme Court Building, just east of the Oregon Capitol Building. The Supreme Court Building also houses the State of Oregon Law Library, the Appellate Courts Records Office, and the Court of Appeals Appellate Commissioner's Office. The Supreme Court has seven justices, including one Chief Justice. Application Process
Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume Cover Letter (REQUIRED)
Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)
OR
Your cover letter, together with your Work Experience/Resume, should highlight how your experience, skills, and other qualities, will enable you to perform the work of this position, including Requested Skills and Attributes set out below. If desired, you may include a separate document relating to Requested Skills and Attributes. Writing Sample (REQUIRED)
Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your cover letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and wording use, in addition to demonstrated experience and other qualifications. Minimum Qualifications (These must be evident in your resume or work history.) The qualified candidate must have a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. AND Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in the practice of law that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed for the position AND Be in good standing in the Oregon State Bar. OR The successful applicant must be a member in good standing in the Oregon State Bar at the time of the start date or, if the applicant is not yet a member as of that date, then the applicant by that date must have initiated steps to become a member through one of the licensure options set in the Oregon Rules for Admission of Attorneys. Special Qualifications (These must be verifiable.) None. Requested Skills and Attributes (As noted above, you should highlight these in your cover letter, together with your Resume/Work History; you may include a separate document if desired.)
Working Conditions
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Reference Checks By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product. United States Employment Eligibility Future Vacancies Veterans' Preference Conduct Expectations Pay Equity Employee Benefits Public Service Loan Forgiveness OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here. Questions and Support
The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Salary/Compensation: $140,988 - $218,712 per year recblid ta314je4we3bbsadmwd8yv0lpxu5sz | |