Assistant Legal Counsel

Agency

Division

Job Classification Title

Assistant Legal Counsel (NS)

Position Number

Grade

JB27

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $43.81 - $74.82 Hourly

***This is a temporary, full time or part-time position that will start on September 30, 2026 and will end on November 3, 2027. There is flexibility on the number of hours worked per week.***

The Office of General Counsel for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts is seeking a qualified attorney to provide oral and written legal advice, information, and training to Judicial Branch officials and employees in one or more of the subject areas of criminal law, including but not limited to, pretrial release (including bail and bond forfeitures), pretrial proceedings, sentencing and probation, sex offender registration and relief from collateral consequences of conviction, expunctions, firearms laws, motor vehicle law, and other general topics in criminal law and procedure, incapacity to proceed, and involuntary commitment. This position provides training and counsel to state Judicial Branch officials and employees and supports the Agency’s legislative affairs team.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Locate, analyze, communicate, and apply legal requirements to particular situations to provide counsel to officials and employees throughout the Judicial Branch.
• Advise on policy development and procedures in assigned areas of expertise.
• Analyze, monitor, draft, and report on pending and enacted legislation in assigned subject matter areas.
• Participate in the development, review, and delivery of training in assigned areas of expertise.  This includes development of new course materials such as manuals, course aids, and texts, and the delivery of these court materials at statewide conferences, via webinar, and at scheduled trainings throughout the State, which may require occasional overnight travel.
• Review and assist in the development and improvement of the Judicial Branch's statewide court system forms, electronic systems and databases.
• Review and assist in the development of statewide court system forms.
• Serve as legal counsel to Judicial Branch committees and working groups.
• Other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

This position reports to Deputy Legal Counsel within the Office of General Counsel.  Work hours are typically 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work as job duties may require. There is flexibility on the number of hours worked per week.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Knowledge of:   case, statutory, regulatory, and common law; General Statutes and their application to the operation of the Judicial Branch; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; specific subject matter areas identified above under Description of Work; and other general areas of criminal law.

Skills in: interpreting and applying complex laws; researching and identifying precedents in case law; utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research and online systems; organizing work; setting priorities; meeting critical deadlines; and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
 
Ability to:   analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply them to specific legal issues; produce legal interpretations in a timely and responsive manner for court officials; conduct legal research through the use of the general statutes, case law, and other legal research tools; and interact daily in a professional and tactful manner with court officials, legislators, NCAOC personnel, and members of the general public in discussing controversial issues.

Supplemental and Contact Information:

INSTRUCTIONS:
 

Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.

It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.

*NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.
 

Travis Davis

NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division

http://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school, an active license to practice law in North Carolina, and two (2) years of professional legal experience.  Judicial clerkship experience counts as professional legal experience.  

Management will review applicants with the minimum required experience but prefers candidates with 4-7 years of professional legal experience.
 
Management strongly prefers candidates with experience in legislative drafting and analysis, practical courtroom experience in criminal law, experience with advising on and developing policies and procedures, and experience teaching complex legal issues to lawyers and non-lawyers.

Attach cover letter, résumé, and writing sample.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Travis Edward Davis

Email:

HumanResources@nccourts.org