FIND_THE_RIGHTJOB.

Judicial Council of California

ATTORNEY II

United States

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide legal advice and support in connection with the management of a real estate portfolio of approximately 20 million square feet (450+ buildings) including issues connected with on-going building maintenance, facility modifications, and changing court space needs.
Provide legal advice and support for courthouse capital construction projects including construction-related contract procurement, contract administration, contract close-out, warranty enforcement, claims, and litigation.
Provide legal guidance regarding facilities maintenance procurement and contract administration.
Draft and negotiate leases, licenses, and renewals thereof, as well as provide legal advice concerning lease disputes and terminations.
Draft and assist in negotiating site acquisition agreements including related environmental (i.e. CEQA) compliance.
Handle issues connected with the transfers of responsibility for trial court facilities from the 58 counties to the Judicial Council under SB 1732 including issues that arise with respect to shared-use facilities.
Provide legal support for dispositions of closed court facilities including drafting authorizing legislation.
Research and draft legal memoranda, opinions, and policies related to facilities’ issues.
Provide facilities-related advice to support the work of other Judicial Council offices.
Supervise work of outside counsel on real estate and construction matters or litigation.
Provide legal support for the Judicial Council’s facilities-related advisory committees and working groups.
Depending upon background and experience that may be of direct service to the courts and the Judicial Council, the attorney may be called upon to perform additional duties or assist other Legal Services units in areas of labor and employment law, litigation management, ethics, transactions and business operations, as well as draft rules of court and legislation, prepare written legal opinions, and support Judicial Council advisory bodies focused on civil law and procedure and court operations.

Working Conditions

The Judicial Council strives for work-life balance and provides substantial vacation and holiday time. In addition, the Judicial Council offers an excellent benefits package, including pension, medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending, a public transit stipend up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs, and retirement savings plans. The successful candidate will be expected to work in the Judicial Council’s San Francisco or Sacramento office at least two days per week, based on their office leader’s direction, and reside in the areas surrounding these locations.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

ATTORNEY II

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-491394

Position #(s):

156-100-3055-XXX

Working Title:

ATTORNEY II – Construction/Real Estate JO#6512

Classification:

ATTORNEY II

$13,383.00 - $16,058.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

OVERVIEW

The Legal Services office of the Judicial Council of California provides quality, timely, and ethical legal advice and services to the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, trial courts, Judicial Council, and its advisory bodies and staff. Legal Services is currently searching for an attorney to join its dynamic law office made up of a highly skilled workforce that provides effective legal support to judicial branch clients on challenging, varied, and significant legal issues.

The Attorney will work in the Real Estate Unit (REU) that provides in-house legal support for all aspects of the California judicial branch’s real property portfolio consisting of more than 425 existing courthouse facilities as well as the new courthouse capital construction program. The work includes providing direct legal support for the operation, renovation, maintenance, acquisition, construction, financing, and disposition of court facilities for the trial courts, appellate courts, and the California Supreme Court. In addition, the Attorney will conduct research and draft legal memoranda and opinions related to facilities issues, provide facilities-related advice to support the work of other Legal Services units and other Judicial Council offices, and provide legal support for the Judicial Council’s facilities-related advisory committees and working groups. The attorney will independently manage a workload in a collegial and collaborative environment.

Attorneys within the Legal Services office often support the work of units other than their primary assignment. Depending upon experience, the REU Attorney may be called upon to work with other Legal Services units and may also be called upon to write legal opinions, staff advisory bodies, and draft rules of court and legislation.

The Judicial Council

The Judicial Council of California is the policy setting body for the state court system and has constitutionally conferred statewide rule-making authority. This authority includes developing, advocating for, and allocating the judicial branch budget. A majority of Council members are California state justices and judges; however, the Council also includes lawyers, legislators, and court administrators.

By enhancing its role as a leadership, knowledge, and service resource for the judicial branch, the Judicial Council’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.

Department Website: http://www.courts.ca.gov/careers

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 9/18/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Completed Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. A completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included, when submitting your application in hard copy.

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Judicial Council of California

Primary Cert Contact

Attn: Please Apply in the Benefits Section Below

455 Golden Gate Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94102-3688

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctor, and three (3) years of relevant post-bar legal experience as a practicing attorney.

After passing the state bar, work experience as a law clerk to a federal judge prior to formal state bar admission will be considered qualifying experience.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS

Current active membership with the State Bar of California prior to date of hire.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience with large scale construction projects, including drafting complex construction contracts, procurement, and resolution of construction disputes.
Experience in real estate matters, including drafting real estate agreements, leases, property

acquisitions, and environmental laws. • Knowledge of and experience with public entity administration and legal issues, including procurement, public records, governing bodies/governance, and advisory roles.

SKILLS

Excellent critical thinking, problem solving capabilities, and judgment.
Ability to present issues and advocate positions in writing and orally in a manner that is clear, concise, and logical.
Superior contract and document drafting skills.
Ability to manage workloads, coordinate deadlines, and prioritize competing demands.
Ability to work autonomously while being a team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
Ability to listen to and consider different points of view.
Ability to building consensus and resolve conflicts.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
Utilizing a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned.
Effectively communicating.
Maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, clients, and the public.

OTHER INFORMATION

If you are selected for hire, verification of employment eligibility or authorization to work in the United States will be required.

Benefits

HOW TO APPLY

This position is Open Until Filled and requires the submission of our official application, responses to the supplemental questions, and a resume. To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by Thursday, September 18, 2025.

To complete an online application, go to job opening #6512 at https://www.courts.ca.gov/careers.htm

The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request such accommodation. Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human Resources at (415) 865-4260.

PAY & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $13,383 - $16,058 per month

Please note due to statewide fiscal conditions, the posted salary range is subject to a temporary 3% reduction. In exchange for this reduction, judicial branch employees accrue an additional 5 hours of paid personal leave per month through June 30, 2027.

Some highlights of our benefits package include:

Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
14 paid holidays per calendar year
Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave

1 personal holiday per year
Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
Pre-Tax Parking Savings Program
CalPERS Retirement Plan
401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
Employee Assistance Program
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
FlexElect Program
Long Term Care Disability (employee paid/optional)
Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional

The Judicial Council of California Is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.courts.ca.gov/careers

Human Resources Contact:
Guillermo Gonzalez
(415) 865-4346
jobs@jud.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Sandra Grace
(415) 865-8944
Sandra.Grace@jud.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Supplemental Questionnaire

Supplemental Questions

To better assess the qualifications of each applicant, please provide a response to the following questions:

1. Please explain why you are interested in this position and what skills you will bring to it.

2. Please briefly state your direct experience in any of the following area(s): capital construction projects, real estate transactions, contract solicitations, CEQA, and/or government entity facilities matters.

3. Do you have any other employment by the State of California that is not already provided on your application? If yes, please list the specific departments or agencies for which you worked. If you have no prior state service, please state “none”.

4. Are you an active member of the California State Bar?

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

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