Staff Attorney I - Trial Division, Civil

Job Description

This is professional legal work supporting the judiciary of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Work involves providing the judges assistance with writing briefs and memoranda, drafting opinions, and advising on legal and administrative issues.

This position reports directly to the Director and / or Department head of programs such as commerce, complex litigation, senior judge complex, motions, and the post-conviction relief act unit.

Pursuant to the Supreme Court's Per Curiam Order dated December 29, 2015, an attorney employed in the Unified Judicial System shall be prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division / section of the court in which the attorney is employed.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit to complete an application and upload a resume.

Essential Functions

Responsibilities include (i) conducting research, (ii) drafting legal memoranda and orders; and (iii) drafting judicial opinions

Provide reports and recommendations to judges on complex legal issues presented in both motions and statutory appeals from local and state agencies.

Ability to prepare, for judicial approval, notices, orders, and opinions

Review and draft dispositions on petitions for relief.

Handle emergency responsibilities during business hours. This requires interfacing with other departments / division, judges and judicial staff, and members of the public.

Provide support, on a flexible as-needed basis, to judges.

Research legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, decisions, and precedents of higher courts.

Search for and study legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration.

Prepare high-quality briefs, orders, and opinions by reviewing documents, files, and case correspondence and submit to assigned judicial authority for review and signature in a timely manner.

Maintain files on case documents and all related correspondence.

Complete administrative tasks associated with assigned caseload.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, and diverse court clientele and members of the public.

Perform related work as required with strict adherence to deadlines.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :

Standard courtroom and clerical office conditions.

Direct contact with diverse court clientele.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Provide general information pertaining to the assigned functions.

Perform related work as required.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit to complete an application and upload a resume.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the state and local rules of civil and criminal procedure and statutes;
• Knowledge of the civil case management system (Banner) and criminal case management system (CPCMS);
• Ability to analyze a variety of administrative and procedural problems and to make sound recommendations as to their solution;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, attorneys, supervisors and judiciary;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others;
• Ability to take initiative, set priorities and meet deadlines and to complete assignments in a timely fashion;
• Considerable knowledge of the components and functions of the Trial system;
• Knowledge of legal terminology, of the techniques and processes of legal research, and how to prepare motions, petitions and similar instruments;

Ability to prepare orders and opinions on petitions, motions and appeals filed, for judicial approval; and

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, attorneys and associates.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit to complete an application and upload a resume.