Salary : $197,731.82 - $253,056.70 Annually
Location :
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 27-013
Division: Executive Office Division
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 9/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented (Exempt A)

Description
Reporting to the Court Executive Officer and working in close partnership with the Presiding Judge, this executive leadership role serves as the Court's chief legal advisor and a trusted partner to judicial officers, executive leadership, and court management. The General Counsel provides legal guidance on matters affecting court governance, judicial administration, employment, labor relations, litigation, risk management, contracts, compliance, and other complex legal issues that support the Court's mission and the administration of justice.
This opportunity is ideal for a collaborative and forward-thinking legal leader with deep experience coupled with exceptional judgment, executive presence, and the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical business and operational solutions. The successful candidate will bring a collaborative approach, a commitment to public service, and the ability to influence and advise at the highest levels of the organization while helping advance the Court's strategic priorities and safeguard its legal interests.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER/GENERAL COUNSEL BROCHURE

COMPENSATION UPDATE: Effective October 1, 2026, the salary range for this position will increase by 2%. Candidates hired on or after October 3, 2026, will be hired at the updated rate.

RECRUITMENT DEADLINE:
Early application is strongly encouraged, as the posting may close at any time once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or a candidate selection has been made. This recruitment is scheduled to close on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The first review of applications and resumes will take place on Friday, August 28, 2026, and may result in the early closing of this recruitment.

For full position details, please visit the job description:

Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree; ABA accredited as defined in Rules of the State Bar of California Rule 4.3 preferred. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience, including seven (7) years of substantial experience in employment law, public agency law, labor relations, litigation, governance, contracts, or judicial administration. A minimum of three (3) years of management, supervisory, or lead experience is highly desirable; preference for partner-level, general counsel, or chief legal officer experience.
License(s):

• Licensed to practice law in the state of California and a member in good standing of the California State Bar.
• A valid California Class "C" driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related functions.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience interpreting and applying California Rules of Court, Judicial Council policies, and judicial branch governance requirements.

Knowledge of:

• California Rules of Court, including provisions related to trial court administration, public access to records, judicial ethics, and governance.
• Trial Court Employment Protection and Governance Act and related judicial branch employment laws.
• Public agencies employment and labor laws.
• Principles and practices of management and supervision.
• Principles and practices of governmental law and public administration, including reporting and maintenance of public records.
• Laws governing court records, administrative records, confidentiality, privacy, and information security.
• Principles, practices, methods and materials of legal research and analysis.
• Current and emerging technologies applicable to court administration and public-sector operations.
• Principles and practices of effective business communications and correct English usage.

Ability to:

• Manage multiple priorities and sensitive matters in a high-profile public environment.?
• Draft and review complex legal documents.
• Analyze complex legal issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Communicate legal concepts effectively to judges, executives, managers, and staff.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Interpret state and federal laws, regulations, legislation and constitutional provisions affecting operations.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
BENEFITS SUMMARY
BENEFIT GROUP A - EXEMPT

The San Bernardino Superior Court offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked. A summary of benefits is provided below.

Health and Welfare Benefits
MEDICAL: The Court offers a variety of comprehensive health plan options to fit individual employee needs. The Court contributes up to $250.00 in benefit plan dollars each pay period to help full-time employees pay for health premiums. In addition, the health plan subsidy the court contributes toward the employee cost is 59.5% to 63% based on plan selection and level of coverage.

DENTAL: The dental subsidy is equivalent to 100% of the employee only DPPO plan (but not less than twenty-three dollars and two cents {$23.02} per pay period).

VISION: Court-paid plan for employees and eligible dependents. No co-pay/deductible for eye exams; frames and standard lenses or contact lenses (in lieu of standard lenses) every twelve (12) months.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY: Court-paid benefit that provides partial income replacement in the event that an employee is unable to work due to a non-work related disability.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY: Court-paid benefit that provides partial income replacement in the event that an employee is unable to work due to a non-work related disability.

LIFE INSURANCE: Court-paid basic life insurance benefit of $100,000. Additional supplemental life and AD&D insurance benefits may be purchased voluntarily.

MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees elect to set aside pre-tax money each pay period to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses for themselves and their eligible dependents that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan. The Court contributes a dollar for dollar match up to a maximum of five-hundred dollars ($500.00) per plan year.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PLAN: This is a type of Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating eligible employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.

Leave Allowances
VACATION: After completion of the requisite hours of continuous service (based on the bargaining unit), employees are eligible to use accrued vacation allowance. Depending on length of service, employees may accrue from 80 to 200 hours annually.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE: Eighty (80) hours of additional leave to be used during the calendar year, prorated depending on start date.

HOLIDAY: Fourteen (14) paid recognized holidays and the accrual of two (2) floating holidays annually.

SICK LEAVE: Employees in regular positions accrue approximately 3.69 hours of sick leave per pay period to use during instances of authorized absence due to illness, injury, or medically related appointments.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: ALL employees are eligible to receive a maximum of thirty-two (32) hours of paid leave per occurrence for bereavement leave due to the death of a person in the immediate family.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans
RETIREMENT: The Court is a 1937 Act employer. More detailed information may be found by contacting SBCERA at (909) 885-7980 or toll-free at 1-877-722-3721 or by visiting the website at San Bernardino County Retirement Association. The Court does not pay into the Social Security system; however, it does contribute to Medicare.
Retirement benefits subject to change.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Employees are eligible to participate in the Court's 457 and/or the 401(k) Deferred Compensation Plans. These are supplemental retirement plans that permit employees to defer a certain portion of their pre or post tax salary, within certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limits, to an account maintained by an investment service provider. Participating employees in the pre-tax option postpone paying taxes on the deferred portion of their income.
401(k): The court matches up to 4% and doubles the contribution up to 8%.
457: Employees may elect to have a percentage of their salary or a flat amount deferred for a pre or post tax investment.

RETIREMENT MEDICAL TRUST: This plan helps with the high cost of health care expenses after retirement. Active employees with ten (10) years of public sector service are eligible to participate. Under this plan, eligible retired participants pay for qualified expenses on a non-tax basis. All contributions, earnings, and reimbursements are tax free. The trust is funded by the eligible cash value of the participant's sick leave upon separation of service and Court contributions. The Court contributes a percentage of the employee's salary to the trust per pay period.

Additional Benefits
TUITION BENEFIT: The Court shall provide $50.00 per pay period to be used for job related education or career development or to reimburse membership dues in professional organizations.

CAR ALLOWANCE: The Court contributes $276.92 plus mileage or $346.15 no mileage, per pay period.

CELL PHONE: The Court shall provide reimbursement of $40.00 for voice and $40.00 for data services per month.

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE: The Court recognizes the importance of work/life balance. Employees may request alternative work scheduling or flexible work schedules when classifications meet the requirements.

COMMUTER SERVICES: This program assists with providing information on carpools, rideshare matching, and public transportation options. The Court offers incentives for employees eligible to participating in Ridesharing activities.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to modify the benefit programs in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations.
01

The information you provide in this supplemental questionnaire will be used to assess your relevant education and experience as part of a competitive evaluation of qualifications. Please be as specific and thorough as possible and ensure that you include all information requested. Providing complete, organized, and detailed responses is to your advantage. Do not refer to a résumé or other documentation in place of answering the questions. If you do not have experience in a particular area, please enter "N/A." Please answer each question clearly and concisely. When responding, be sure to include the length of experience, the employer, and your job title for each relevant example. Following an administrative review of all applications and supplemental questionnaires, only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an oral interview.

• I understand the instructions above and certify that all statements made in this supplemental application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

02

Do you possess a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school? A copy of the degree must be attached to your application.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a current membership in the California State Bar?Proof of a bar card and a certificate of good standing from the California State Bar must be attached to your application.

• Yes
• No

04

Minimum Qualifications: Do you possess Ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience, including seven (7) years of substantial experience in employment law, public agency law, labor relations, litigation, governance, contracts, or judicial administration.

• Yes
• No

05

Minimum Qualifications: Please describe how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for this position. If you do not possess the education or experience, indicate "N/A". In your response, include:• Your qualifying education, if applicable, including degree earned, field of study, and institution attended.• Specific professional experience in employment law, public agency law, labor relations, litigation, governance, contracts, or judicial administration. Please include employer name(s), job title(s), and dates of employment.
06

Preferred Qualifications: Do you possess a minimum of three (3) years of management, supervisory, or lead experience? Partner-level, general counsel, or chief legal officer experience is preferred.

• Yes
• No

07

Please describe how you meet the Preferred Qualifications for this position. If you do not possess experience, indicate "N/A". In your response, include:• Specific professional management, supervisory, or lead experience. Please include employer name(s), job title(s), and dates of employment.
08

Highly Desirable Qualifications: Do you possess experience interpreting and applying California Rules of Court, Judicial Council policies, and judicial branch governance requirements.

• Yes
• No

09

Please describe how you meet the Highly Desirable Qualifications for this position. If you do not possess the experien