Job Details

State Bar of California provided pay range

This range is provided by State Bar of California. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$119,076.00/yr - $210,021.00/yr

Annual Salary Range for Attorney II: $119,076 - $178,472

Annual Salary Range for Attorney III: $140,123 - $210,021

FLSA Exempt / Union Represented

This position allows for up to four days of remote work per week

About the Office

The State Bar Court (SBC) adjudicates disciplinary and regulatory cases involving attorneys and recommends attorney discipline to the California Supreme Court. The SBC is structured as a Hearing Department (trial court) and a Review Department (appeals court). California is the only state with an independent professional Court dedicated to ruling on attorney discipline cases.

The Ideal Candidate

The State Bar Court seeks an Attorney for the Review Department. The ideal candidate will possess excellent research and writing skills, the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, attention to detail, and sound judgment. Prior judicial or appellate experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

The Review Department Attorney provides critical legal support to the judges of the Review Department in fulfilling their primary function of conducting independent review of disciplinary decisions issued by the Hearing Department. Core responsibilities include drafting and editing opinions, conducting legal research, preparing interlocutory review orders and other judicial orders, and assisting with recommendations for summary disbarments and resignations with charges pending.

Attorney II

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Attorney II is the journey-level classification in the attorney series. The Attorney I differs from the Attorney II classification in that the latter handles more complex assignments, works under less supervision, and may serve as the lead over a small team of administrative and/or professional staff or as a lead counsel in trials.

The Attorney II differs from the Attorney III in that the latter handles a more complex and voluminous caseload, works under less supervision, and may also serve as a lead over a small team of attorneys and/or administrative and professional staff.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Reviews complaints to identify ethical violations and legal issues.
• Reviews applications for program eligibility.
• Makes recommendations regarding the disposition of applications, claims, files and complaints.
• Conducts legal research in various areas of federal, state, and State Bar Court law, including case decisions, evidentiary law, statutory law, procedural and court rules, and legislation.
• Prepares legal documents, including pleadings, contracts, subpoenas, memoranda, letters, proposals, tentative or draft decisions, and/or other documents.
• Prepares cases for hearing or trial, including directing the gathering of evidence, preparing and filing required pleadings and motions, and preparing witnesses for testimony.
• Serves as counsel on trials, which may include delivering opening and closing statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations, and preparing post-trial briefs.
• Writes legal analysis and provides instruction and/or advice to others.
• Communicates with members of the public regarding complaints, applications, rules and procedures, and State Bar processes.
• Provides direction to non-attorney staff.
• Maintains adequate case, file, and related records to ensure effective completion of projects assigned and assists in the evaluation of the work product.
• Stays informed concerning the applicable law, rules, procedures, policies, and practices relating to the functions assigned.
• Evaluates administrative problems and procedures and recommends solutions or alternative methods of procedures.
• Participates in training and professional development activities.
• May perform a number of other similar or related duties that are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Successful completion of a Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in litigation and/or legal advice work demonstrating knowledge and skills necessary for the position.
• Demonstrated verifiable reputation for integrity and no history of disciplinary offenses as an attorney or in any other capacity.

License, Certificate, and Registration Requirements

• Must be an active member, in good standing, of the State Bar of California.

Attorney III

Examples of Essential Duties

• Independently researches, analyzes, interprets, and applies legal principles within the assigned work area.
• Conducts legal research in various areas of federal, state, and State Bar Court law, including case decisions, evidentiary law, statutory law, procedural and court rules, and legislation.
• Prepares legal documents, including pleadings, subpoenas, memoranda, letters, proposals, tentative or draft decisions, and/or other documents.
• Maintains adequate case, file, and related records to ensure effective completion of projects assigned and assists in the evaluation of the work product.
• Stays informed concerning the applicable law, rules, procedures, policies, and practices relating to the functions assigned.
• Provides substantive and procedural recommendations to other attorneys to assist them with their cases or prepare them for trial.
• Provides legal advice to management, executive staff, judges, sub-entities, commissions, or oversight bodies.
• Reviews complaints to identify ethical violations and legal issues, and makes decisions regarding the disposition of applications, claims, files and complaints.
• Reviews applications for program eligibility.
• Prepares cases for hearing or trial, including directing the gathering of evidence, preparing and filing required pleadings and motions, and preparing witnesses for testimony.
• Performs trials, including delivering opening and closing statements, conducting direct and cross examinations, and preparing post-trial briefs.
• Writes legal analysis setting forth facts and legal conclusions.
• Serves as lead attorney on trials or appellate cases.
• Conducts informal and formal discovery to ensure that legal analyses and recommendations have sufficient evidentiary and legal bases.
• Performs independent review of the record of moral character and disciplinary proceedings on appeal from the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court.
• Communicates with members of the public regarding complaints, applications, rules and procedures, and State Bar processes.
• Presents matters before State Bar sub-entities, commissions, or oversight bodies, including preparing, reviewing, or editing draft decisions and agenda items.
• Participates in training and professional development activities and may lead training activities.
• May serve as a guide and mentor to other attorneys and staff, as needed, in researching, interpreting, and applying complex legal principles and preparing them for trial.
• Performs similar or related duties, which may not be specifically included within this job description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Successful completion of a Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.

Experience

• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively more responsible experience in litigation and/or legal advice work demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary for this position.
• Demonstrated verifiable reputation for integrity and no history of disciplinary offenses as an attorney or in any other capacity.
• Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar's selection process for this classification.

License, Certificate, and Registration Requirements

• Must be an active member, in good standing, in the State Bar of California.

About the State Bar

The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation, and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.

Our Values

Clarity | Investing in Our People | Excellence | Respect | Growth Mindset

DEI Statement

We are a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all of our employees and prospective employees experience fairness, dignity, and respect.

Seniority level

Associate

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Legal

Industries

Government Administration

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid maternity leave
• Pension plan
• Paid paternity leave
• Disability insurance