Court Research Attorney

Salary : $130,353.60 - $158,808.00 Annually
Location : Any Sonoma County Court Facilities, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Judges and Courtroom Support
Division: Research Attorneys
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Summary
Under the direction of the Supervising Research Attorney, the incumbent analyzes, interprets and summarizes legal authorities for presentation to the judicial officers in pre-trial, trial and post-trial matters, including: Criminal, Habeas Corpus, Civil Law and Motion, Probate, Juvenile, Family Law, Appellate, Court Administration, and other research duties as assigned. The position is permanent, full-time and exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Position may be eligible for remote work, with in-person on-site work required as needed.
Note: This position will be primarily assigned to the Civil Division.

Typical Duties
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Researches, analyzes, and interprets existing laws and ordinances, court decisions, pending legislation, and other legal authorities;
• Researches legal authorities, including statutory and case law of California, other states, federal and foreign jurisdictions, treaties and other international law, and legislative history using traditional and computerized legal research methods;
• Researches and analyzes pleadings, memoranda of points and authorities, evidence, objections, and other documents and prepares a written memorandum for each matter, summarizing the factual background, identifying and analyzing factual and legal issues, and provides a written memorandum and/or proposed tentative ruling for disposition thereof; and/or orally briefs the judges on the research and analysis pertaining to each matter;
• Attends court hearings as required;
• Conducts research on special projects assigned or requested by judicial officers or executive staff;
• Performs other related work as required by business needs or as assigned.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited school of law; active membership in the California State Bar, including maintaining compliance with mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements; three (3) years of legal experience that includes litigation or legal research in support of the judiciary; or any combination of training and experience that could provide the desired knowledge and abilities.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and materials of legal research and analysis;
• Knowledge of California statutes related to California trial court processes, Rules of Court and Rules of Evidence;
• Knowledge of principles of civil, criminal, family, constitutional, and administrative law;
• Knowledge of legal terms, procedures, forms and documents used in court cases;
• Knowledge of proper English usage, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and spelling;
• Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments, including assignments with short deadlines and/or assignments due concurrently;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Identify and analyze legal issues, research legal authorities, including independent research when necessary;
• Ability to prepare and present legal analyses orally or in writing and make sound and objective recommendations for judicial action;
• Maintain a flexible and cooperative attitude in working with judicial officers, management, all court employees and outside agencies;
• Handle sensitive matters with finesse and discretion and maintain confidentiality of information;
• Ability to use traditional and computerized legal research methods;
• Ability to use computer for legal research, word processing and communication;
• Uphold judicial ethics;
• Ability to work in an environment with conflicting priorities and adapt to changes.

Process to Apply
Please apply online at: http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/info/jobs

Please list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of the application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position.

As part of completing the employment application, you are required to respond to the supplemental questionnaire. Please also include the following as a requirement for consideration:

• Resume
• A three (3) to five (5) page written brief or other legal memoranda which you have prepared.

Application materials will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, and knowledge and abilities which relate to the position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.

Health and Welfare Benefit Information:

Retirement Plan:
Tax deferred contributory system under the County Retirement Act of 1937. This is a defined benefit plan fully integrated with Social Security. Employee may elect to make additional contributions into a separate 457 Deferred Compensation Account up to the IRS annual maximum.

Standard Benefits:

• Employees and their dependents are eligible for dental, vision, and the choice of three health plans. The Court's contribution is currently 92% of the premium for the health plan selected.
• Short and Long Term Disability Insurance.
• Term Life Insurance
• Basic Life Insurance - $50,000.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Fourteen (14) paid fixed holidays per year, plus nineteen (24) miscellaneous floating hours
• Up to twelve (12) days sick leave earned per year

Vacation Leave:
Permanent, full-time Court employees accrue vacation at the following rates:
00 - 02 years = 11 days
02 - 03 years = 13 days
03 - 04 years = 15 days
04 - 05 years = 16 days
05 - 10 years = 19 days
10 - 15 years = 23 days
15 - 20 years = 26 days
More than 20 = 24 days.
01

Briefly describe any experience you may have in researching, drafting, arguing and/or briefing pre-trial motions in civil cases including discovery motions.
02

Briefly describe any experience you may have in researching, drafting, arguing, and/or briefing Motions to Suppress pursuant to Penal Code 1538.5, Motions to Dismiss the Information pursuant to Penal Code 995, Motions to withdraw plea, Writs of Coram Nobis, Writs of Habeas Corpus, Writs of Mandate, and/or Writs of Prohibition.
03

Briefly describe any experience you may have in family law.
04

Briefly describe any experience you may have in probate law, including trusts, decedents estates, and/or accountings.
05

Briefly describe any experience you may have with writs filed under the California Environmental Quality Act.
06

Briefly describe any experience you may have with the appellate jurisdiction of the Superior Court.
07

Briefly describe the most difficult legal research project you had to complete.
Required Question