General Counsel and Director, Legal Services

The Judicial Council of California is currently seeking a General Counsel and Director of Legal Services to lead its law office.

Make your application after reading the following skill and qualification requirements for this position.

The Judicial Council of California is the policymaking body for the California state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority.

By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council of California’s staff organization seeks to continue to evolve as one of California’s most dynamic public service entities, focused on improving access to justice for all Californians by innovating and responding to the changing needs of the courts and the public.

As a government body charged with improving the statewide administration of justice, the Judicial Council has multiple offices with diverse responsibilities relating to court policy and operations.

As employees of the council, every member of staff should view and approach their work as one Judicial Council with a public service mission that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Legal Services office of the Judicial Council of California provides quality, timely, and ethical legal advice and services to the Chief Justice, Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, trial courts, and to the Judicial Council and its advisory bodies and staff.

Legal Services is made up of a highly skilled workforce that provides legal support to judicial branch clients on challenging, varied, and significant legal issues in a collegial and collaborative environment.

The office has two major functions : (1) house counsel and (2) legal services for rules and projects. Under the house counsel function, the office provides legal services related to judicial branch and court administration and governance issues, labor and employment law, litigation management, public access laws, real estate transactions and operations, and transactions and business operations.

Under the rules and projects function, the office provides primary staff support to the council's Rules Committee and to several Judicial Council advisory bodies, and staffs other projects designed to improve court administration and proceedings.

Responsibilities :

• Provide leadership and direction of the Legal Services office.
• Allocate resources and staff.
• Develop and implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the Legal Services office.
• Collaborate with other offices within the Judicial Council on branchwide programs.

The Judicial Council strives for work-life balance, including substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, we offer an excellent benefits package, including pension, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending, up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, and retirement savings plans.

In San Francisco, the office is only a 7-minute walk from the Civic Center BART station. In Sacramento, the office is minutes from downtown, just north of Discovery Park.

The Judicial Council offers hybrid work arrangements for many positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work in person on Wednesdays at the Judicial Council’s San Francisco or Sacramento office and reside in the areas surrounding these locations.

Beginning in January 2025, employees will work in the office at least two days per week.

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