In-House Counsel chez Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles, CA

About the Department

The Court will give priority consideration to applicants who submit their application materials by October 2, 2025.

This recruitment may close at any time based on the needs of the Court.

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County is the largest unified trial court in the United States. The Court’s 582 judicial officers and its dedicated workforce of over 4,600 full-time employees serving across 36 facilities work purposefully and seamlessly to achieve the mission to provide equal access to justice to all of Los Angeles County. With an annual budget exceeding $1 billion, the operation of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County serves one of the nation’s largest and most populous counties, covering over 4,084 square miles and serving nearly 10 million residents.

The Court’s mission, dynamic workforce, and the ever-evolving needs of the community offer bold and rewarding opportunities for talented, public-sector professionals and leaders who seek to effect positive change. Find out more about your future with the Superior Court of Los Angeles County – connect with us today.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County seeks an experienced attorney to join its in-house team of lawyers and address the complex and diverse legal issues it encounters. The institutional complexity of the Court raises a wide array of difficult legal issues as to which In-house Counsel advise the Court’s judicial and executive leaders. In-house Counsel provide a broad range of legal services, which include representing the Court in judicial proceedings; advising on judicial ethics, judicial authority, court operations, labor and employment, contracts, ADA Title II accommodations, requests for judicial administrative records, and other legal compliance issues; and collaborating with justice partners and other stakeholders to ensure that the Court operates well. Incumbents provide advice on significant legal issues for which there may be scant legal precedent; issue legal opinions, draft pleadings and other legal documents, review proposed legislation, rules, and policies; and oversee litigation filed against the Court. Each attorney brings a different professional background to the team and has substantial discretion to evaluate legal issues and solve problems under general guidance as to policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice to judicial and executive leadership, judicial officers, and managers on a wide range of legal and judicial administration issues. 
• Assists the Presiding Judge and the Executive Officer/Clerk of Court plan, develop, communicate, and implement Court orders, rules, and policies. 
• Analyzes and advises on duties, powers, and obligations of judicial officers as public officials and of the Court as a public entity and as an employer.
• Provides legal representation for the Court, judicial officers, and staff, including coordination with the Judicial Council of California and outside counsel.  
• Advises management on legal issues related to the Court’s workforce and its operations.
• Provides legal guidance and support to judicial officers on a wide range of issues, often requiring immediate action in the courtroom, including disqualification, sanctions and contempt, vexatious or difficult litigants, accommodation for persons with disabilities, language access, conflicts of interest and other ethics issues, public access, compliance with General Orders and the California Rules of the Court.
• Oversees litigation against the Court, including all phases of pretrial, trial, and appellate work.
• Reviews, analyzes, and responds to requests for judicial administrative records. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 10.500)
• Reviews and responds to orders from the Court of Appeal; represents the Court in writ proceedings.
• Advises regarding judicial security concerns.
• Drafts and reviews contracts, settlements, and other legal documents.
• Monitors and prepares comments on proposed legislation, regulations, and rule changes.
• Recommends changes in policies and practices to follow legal requirements.
• Helps investigate and respond to complaints against staff.

THIS IS A TELEWORK ELIGIBLE OPPORTUNITY

Incumbents may work remotely following an initial training period. Remote work is contingent on the needs of the Court.

SALARY RANGE

This is an at-will position with a salary range of $18,386.82 - $25,462.55 per month. 

Placement on the salary range is commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS

The Court offers an outstanding array of benefits including:

• A cafeteria plan with a monthly benefit allowance to purchase a variety of pre-tax and after-tax benefits, including:
  • Medical coverage, Dental coverage, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Optional Group Variable Universal Life (GVUL) Insurance, Optional Dependent Term Life Insurance, Short-term Disability Insurance, Long-term Disability Insurance, and Long-Term Disability Health Insurance
• Tax free Health Care Spending Account 
• Tax free Dependent Care Spending Account
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan that includes a Court match of up to 4% of employee's salary
• 401(k) Savings Plan that includes a Court match of up to 4% of employee's salary
• Retirement Pension Plan administered by Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA)
• 10 days of non-elective annual leave per year and option to purchase up to 20 additional days of annual leave
• 14 paid holidays per year
• Employee Assistance Program

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Be licensed by, and be in good standing with, the State Bar of California; and
• Possess at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law in California.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have substantial litigation experience.
• Be adaptable and successfully manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently engage in disciplined, thoughtful, and creative legal analysis. 
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Maintain equanimity when faced with difficult and stressful persons and/or situations; and
• Interact respectfully with others in the workplace.

1. Resume
2. Cover letter explaining your interest in working as In-House Counsel detailing how your training and experience satisfies the qualifications for In-House Counsel.
3. Two (2) samples of writing you drafted, preferably of different types (e.g., legal brief, memorandum, letter, article, agreement).