Legal Research Attorney - Criminal

Legal Research Attorney - Criminal

Salary

$116,437.81 - $151,369.16 Annually

Location

All Ventura County Court Locations, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-09-08-Cont-YV

Unit

Legal Research Ventura

Opening Date

09/08/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DEFINITION

Review Dates: September 25, October 2, October 9, 2026.

Ventura Superior Court is accepting applications to fill a vacancy and establish a list for future vacancies.

Under general supervision, this professional level represented position performs legal research activities on behalf of the Court by examining, analyzing, and interpreting available information and submitting recommendations for resolving issues before the Court.

TYPICAL DUTIES

May include, but are not limited to the following:

• May include, but are not limited to the following:
• Reviews and summarizes in writing arguments, evidence, and procedural history on matters submitted to the Court;
• Identifies and analyzes legal authorities relevant to the disposition of matters;
• Prepares and submits memoranda to judicial officers;
• Responds to inquiries by judicial officers concerning procedural and substantive issues, including attendance and assistance at hearings, as well as review of documents at the request of judicial officers, as necessary;
• Serves as legal adviser to the judicial officers, staff, or judicial committees concerning specific matters before the Court, as necessary;
• Read and analyzes memoranda of law submitted by counsel related to Criminal law matters pending before the Court, including writ petitions and resentencing proceedings;
• Performs legal research and analyses of cases, statutes and secondary materials cited by the parties and all other relevant materials necessary to reach decisions on pending matters;
• Makes oral presentations to judicial officers;
• Performs other duties as needed.

Judgment and Responsibility:

Incumbents perform their work under general direction. Court Research Attorneys conduct extensive legal research using independent judgment, discretion, and initiative. Erroneous recommendations or failure to achieve objectives may result in substantial delays and considerable expenditure of resources.

Individuals appointed to this position must be able to work well with others, as well as work independently; have the ability to handle multiple demands and deadlines; have a good understanding of court procedures; be attentive to detail; and maintain accurate and neat records. The person appointed to this position must be able to maintain a positive and professional attitude and possess good interpersonal and oral communication skills. Regular and punctual attendance is essential.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE:

Performing legal research and developing legal opinions with a trial or appellate court

OR

A minimum of two (2) years post bar experience as a practicing attorney in private practice or government agency with expertise in legal research and writing in the context of law and motion practice Criminal law and motion practice experience is a desirable qualification.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT:

Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California for three years.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Kowledge of legal principles within area of assignment; relevant statutory; constitutional and case law; online legal research methods (e.g. Westlaw); rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial, appellate and/or United States courts; legal ethics; word processing and other office automation software. General legal and constitutional principles and applications as well as legal precedents and their applications to the assigned area of law. Evidentiary principles, Penal Code of Criminal Procedures, Evidence Code, Local Rules of the Court and California Rules of the Court; pretrial and hearing procedures; legal research methods; legal reference work including decisions and statutory law; and computerized legal research and related computer systems and applications.

Ability to listen to and interact with judicial officers and others involved in the assigned caseload; identify legal issues and research statutes, rules and case law; apply legal principles to case facts and make decisions; prepare and present verbal and written legal analyses and recommendations; coordinate work with others; work in an environment with conflicting priorities; recognize and respect limits of authority and responsibility; uphold legal ethics; and work independently and as part of a team. Perform legal research independently; analyze and appraise legal problems and apply legal principles and precedents to facts and evidence; present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; review the legal sufficiency of motions to dismiss, motions to suppress, speedy trial motions, discovery motions, motions to change venue, pre-trial common law motions, post-trial and post-conviction motions, writs of prohibition and mandamus, writs of habeas corpus; advise the Court regarding such matters as grants of immunity, sentencing alternatives, sentencing computations under the determinate sentencing law, probation revocation/modification and admissibility of evidence; set priorities, schedule and appropriately monitor high volume of work; review and maintain a working knowledge of current changes in the law; draft clear and concise legal memoranda that include a summary of relevant facts, analysis of the application of relevant law to the facts and a recommendation of the judicial officer; and establish and maintain effective relationships with judges, attorneys, court administrators, managers, and employees.

Physical Requirements:

• Independent body mobility to access a standard office environment with shelves and drawers of varying heights.
• Vision sufficient to read a computer screen, manual dexterity, coordination and ability to use a computer keyboard on a daily basis.
• Occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds may be required and the need to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Some bending, stooping and/or squatting may be required.
• Transport, lift or carry trial materials to and from court (up to approximately 10 pounds).
• Speak and hear sufficiently to communicate clearly in person and over the telephone, in court, and in small groups

Work Environment:

• Shared office environment with varying degrees of hot and cold air.
• Requires occasional exposure to dust.
• Requires travel to other court locations, department, other agencies, or counties.
• Must be able to traverse indoors and outdoors, over uneven ground and pavement in all types of weather.
• Frequent interruptions, with high volume of telephone and personal interaction.
• Ability to drive or utilize an alternate mode of transportation to perform the essential functions of the job.

IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

DEADLINE DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED. Review Dates: September 25, October 2, October 9, 2026.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: All applications received will be evaluated based on the requirements of the position. A comparative screening will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be selected for invitation to the next step of the screening and selection process. Those individuals who are invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process will be contacted via the email address they provided in their application.

WRITTEN ASSESSMENT: A job-related practical assessment will be administered. TBD

SELECTION INTERVIEW: The interviews may be consolidated into one process or expanded into multiple interviews contingent upon the size and quantity of the candidate pool. Following the evaluation of the applications, the most qualified candidates may be invited to an oral board panel interview or directly to the selection interview. If an oral board panel interview is conducted, top candidates from the oral board panel interview will be invited to the selection interview with the hiring executive and/or members of the court executive management team.TBD

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must possess the personal qualifications generally recognized as essential to being an outstanding public employee, including integrity, initiative, dependability, courtesy, good judgment, and the ability to work with others as a team and follow instructions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Working in any of the Ventura Superior Court facilities requires employees to be subject to security screening by security personnel who use a combination of walk-through and handheld screening devices.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation, which may include personal and professional character references, inquiry into past employment, education, credit, criminal background and depending on the position, may include driving records. Please note that the pre-employment background process will include any interaction you may have from the application process through the time that you are provided a final offer of employment. Offer of employment may be rescinded at any time during the pre-employment background check process if the process determines that the applicant is not a good fit for the position.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A VENTURA SUPERIOR COURT EMPLOYEE

Based upon the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ventura Superior Court and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) LOCAL 721

In addition to your annual salary, Ventura Superior Court offers you an extensive benefits package, including:

FLEXIBLE CASH ALLOWANCE FOR BENEFITS: Employees can allocate the Courts biweekly flexible credit contribution among several benefit options.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans: These plans are available for you and your eligible and applicable dependents to enroll.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Allows you to set aside a portion of your earnings up to certain IRS allowable amount to be deducted from your paycheck before taxes. This in return increase your spending power by reimbursing you for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pre-tax Salary Reduction: Portion of the flexible benefit allowance used to pay for medical, dental or vision is excluded from your taxable earnings.
• Cash Back: Unused portion of the flexible benefit allowance will be added to your biweekly taxable pay, depending on the selection you have made.
• REFER TO BENEFITS HANDBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION:
• 2026 Benefits Guide
• 2026 Flex Cash Summary
• Employee Benefits Summary

14 PAID HOLIDAYS

PAID VACATION

TEXTBOOK AND TUITION

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Ventura Superior Court may provide up to a 5% incentive pay for educational attainment if not specifically required by your job. You may only receive one form of incentive pay or premium pay and will receive that which provides the greatest incentive.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: You may choose to contribute to one or both of the Countys deferred compensation plans (established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(k) and 457). If you participate in the Ventura County sponsored 401(k) plan, the court will match a part of your contribution, on a pay period basis. You must be regularly scheduled to work at least 40 hours each pay period to be eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan. These plans enable you to build long-term savings while deferring current federal and state income taxes. In addition to pre-tax contributions, you are also able to make after-tax contributions through the Roth option available in the 457 plan.

RETIREMENT/SOCIAL SECURITY: Eligible employees of Ventura Superior Court participate in both Ventura County Employees Retirement Association (VCERA) and Social Security. VCERA is a defined-benefit pension plan that provides a lifetime retirement benefit after being vested and meeting eligibility requirements. Benefits vest after 5 years of service. Employees hired to work less than 64 hours biweekly participate in another retirement plan in lieu of VCERA and Social Security. For information on VCERA membership/retirement, go to: Member Resources - Ventura County Employees Retirement Association (vcera.org)

STATE DISABILITY INSURANCE (SDI): This program provides weekly benefits in the event of short-term disability. Premiums are automatically deducted from your pay.

OPTIONAL GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

This summary is informational only, and cannot modify or affect your benefits in any way, nor shall you accrue any rights because of a statement or omission from this summary. Please refer to Plan Brochures and Memorandum of Agreement or Resolution for details that cover the Research Attorney position.

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This position requires completion of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university and experience in performing legal research and developing legal opinions with a trial or appellate court, or a minimum of two (2) years post bar experience as a practicing attorney in private practice or government agency with expertise in legal research and writing in the context of law and motion practice Criminal law and motion practice experience is a desirable qualification. DO YOU MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Superior Court of California, County of Ventura

Address 800 South Victoria Avenue, Hall of Justice

Mailing Address: PO Box 6489

Ventura, California, 93009-6489

Phone (805) 289-8500

Website http://www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/careers.html