Appellate Court Attorney – Division Three

OVERVIEW

Associate Justice Rashida Adams is accepting applications for an appellate attorney. You will
work collaboratively with Justice Adams in the preparation of opinions. Your duties will include
reviewing appellate briefs and trial records, researching and analyzing the law, preparing initial
drafts of opinions, reviewing and proofreading opinions, and performing other tasks as assigned.
The types of cases presented are varied, and you will get civil and criminal law experience at
the appellate level in an environment providing significant responsibility and challenge.
Preference will be given to candidates who have prior clerking experience or familiarity with
appellate practice.

In this role you may work from home up to 3 days per week.

If the attorney is successful in this role, they will:
– Write memoranda and initial drafts of opinions that are thoroughly researched, show sound
legal reasoning, and are logical and well written (no misspellings, syntax or other grammatical
errors)
– Meet deadlines without prompting or reminders
– Effectively collaborate with Justice Adams

QUALIFICATIONS
Required Skills and Abilities
You must have demonstrated:
● Excellent writing skills
○ Logical arguments supported by facts and legal authority
○ Error-free
○ Conforming to all standard rules of grammar
● Excellent analytical skills
○ Use research, analysis and critical thinking skills to synthesize information from
various sources to form a logical conclusion

● Ability to effectively work independently
○ Consistently meet deadlines without reminders
○ Ask for and accept help on new and unfamiliar tasks or when needed
○ After receiving direction and guidelines, complete tasks with a minimum of oversight
● Effective communication and interpersonal skills
○ Communicate your point of view and research results in a clear, logical manner
○ Interact professionally and respectfully with individuals at all levels
○ Are open to points of view and conclusions that are different from your own
○ Accept direction and correction from the justice and others
● Enjoy having responsibility and are accountable for your output
● Embrace new tasks, take initiative, and you love a challenge!

Required Education and Experience
Level A: Must be an active member of the California State Bar
Level B: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of two years of post-
bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government
agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
OR
Equivalent to two years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting as described above,
including one year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level A, with the judicial branch.

Desired Education and Experience
Level C: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of three years of
post-bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice,
corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
OR
One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level B, with the judicial branch.
Level D: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of four years of post-
bar legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice,
corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing company.
OR
One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level C, with the judicial branch.

Pay and Benefits
Level A: $6,301 per month
Level B: $7,624 to $9,684 per month
(Starting salary will be between $7,624 to $8,386 per month)
Level C: $8,381 to $10,652 per month
(Starting salary will be between $8,381 to $9,219 per month)
Level D: $9,647 to $12,875 per month
(Starting salary will vary between $9,647 to $10,612 per month)
Some highlights of our benefits package include:
● Health/Dental/Vision benefits
● 14 paid holidays per calendar year
● 1 personal holiday per year
● Choice of annual leave or sick/vacation leave
● Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
● CalPERS Retirement Plan
● 401K and 457 deferred compensation plans
● Employee Assistance Program
● Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
● FlexElect Program
● Long Term Disability
● Long Term Care
● Group Legal Plan

HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at http://www.courts.ca.gov/careers
You will be asked to submit the following:
• Completed online application
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample
 This can be a document you wrote that was filed or issued in the course of trial or appellate
litigation
 Please indicate the extent to which the document was edited by others
 20 pages or fewer
This position will remain open until filled.