Salary : $109,268.76 - $139,473.84 Annually
Location : Los Angeles, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: R9618I
Department: 78210 - FAMILY LAW, PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 12/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Position DescriptionMental Health Hearing Referees are responsible for conducting mental health facility-based hearings to determine probable cause for further involuntary detention and treatment of mentally disordered patients in psychiatric facilities and/or hearings to determine an individual's capacity to refuse psychotropic medications. The incumbents must exercise a broad knowledge of legal requirements regarding the mentally disordered and applicable provisions of the California Welfare and Institutions Code related to mental health.
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Mental Health Hearing Referees are prohibited by Court policy from practicing law during their employment. This includes prohibition from receiving fees and appearing in any court on behalf of another person.
The responsibilities above illustrate the general scope of work for this classification. Individual positions may not perform all listed duties, and the responsibilities described are not intended to be exhaustive. For a detailed job description, please click here. Please note the requirements in the job description may vary from the requirements in this bulletin.
THIS IS A TELEWORK ELIGIBLE OPPORTUNITYThis position may be eligible for partial telework following an initial training period and contingent upon the needs of the Court.
SELECTION REQUIREMENTSTo qualify, you must meet the following at the final filing date of this bulletin:
A California Licensed Attorney* with two (2) years of professional legal experience involving problems of the mentally ill and/or as a practicing attorney representing clients or conducting hearings related to conservatorship, Social Security benefits, habeas corpus proceedings, family law, or delinquency/dependency law, practicing law in California.
*An active membership of the California State Bar in good standing is required.
Note: Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, (i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience). No additional credit is given for overtime.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS- Strong legal research, analysis, and reasoning skills, with the ability to interpret and apply statutes, regulations, case law, and legal principles.
- Experience managing hearings, evidentiary proceedings, or other quasi-judicial or administrative adjudicative processes.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, well-reasoned, and legally sound written decisions, orders, findings, or other legal documents.
- Knowledge of and experience working with mental health law and conservatorship proceedings.
- Experience handling complex and sensitive legal matters involving vulnerable populations while maintaining fairness, impartiality, and confidentiality.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with judicial officers, attorneys, litigants, and other stakeholders.
REQUIRED APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS- A copy of your Current California Bar Card showing active status must be submitted with your online application
- Resume
LICENSES; CERTIFICATES; SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSA valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
APPLICANT SUPPORT & INFORMATIONApplications must be submitted online. Before submitting your application, carefully review ALL the information detailed on our APPLICANT SUPPORT page linked
Applicants with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process may submit a request for accommodation to the email provided below. For additional employment information, please click
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER APPLYINGThis recruitment process will take up to 4-6 weeks to complete. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process, detailed below:
EVALUATION: Qualifying evaluation of education, training and experience based upon submitted application and supplemental questionnaire.
ASSESSMENT: Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the assessment process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to evaluate further job-related experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants who successfully pass each (and all) recruitment steps will be placed on an eligible list which will remain active for approximately six (6) months and may be invited to participate in a selection interview. Placement on an eligible list may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Other vacancies may be filled using this list.
Questions regarding this posting may be e-mailed toRosalina Murillo, Staffing PartnerFollow us on social media!X | | Threads | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn
Choices Benefit Plan Benefits may be purchased using a tax-free monthly benefits allowance between $1,149.21 - $2,476.90 for the 2025 plan year (based on number enrolled in medical coverage). If the monthly cost of the benefits selected is less than the monthly allowance, the employee receives the difference as additional taxable pay, up to a maximum of $244.00. For detailed plan information, click here.
Insurance The Choices plan includes a robust range of insurance options, including medical, dental, disability, life, and AD&D insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts Employees may contribute up to $266 per month into a tax-free Health Care Spending Account and up to $400 per month tax-free into a Dependent Care Spending Account. The Court contributes up to $375 per month to the Dependent Care Spending Account.
Leave Benefits Vacation - All permanent and other designated categories of employees are eligible to earn paid vacation based on years of service. Vacation is based on continuous service and credited at the completion of each consecutive six-month period of employment.
Sick leave - Depending on the length of service and employment categories, up to one day of full pay per month of service is accrued monthly for qualifying service.
Holidays - 14 days per year.
Bereavement leave.
Retirement Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - Optional tax-deferred supplemental retirement plan that includes a County match of up to 4% of employee's salary.
Retirement Pension Plan administered by the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA).
If the candidate is a "new member" of the County's defined benefit plan (LACERA) on or after January 1, 2013, that person's pension will be limited under the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). For these purposes, a "new member" is someone who first becomes a member of LACERA on or after January 1, 2013 - that is, someone first employed by the County on or after December 1, 2012 - unless she or he established reciprocity with another public retirement system in which she or he was a member before January 1, 2013. For further information, visit lacera.com.
Other Benefits The Commuter Benefit Plan (CBP) - Allows employees to pay for eligible public transit expenses using pre-tax dollars (up to IRS limits).
Tuition Reimbursement
- The Tuition Reimbursement Program provides eligible employees with tuition assistance (maximum $2000 per fiscal year) for courses toward a degree program at an accredited college and/or university. The program is intended to support the ongoing development of a highly effective workforce at the Court.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The information contained herein concerning the benefit package available to incumbents in this classification is based on an employee's appointment to a full-time, permanent position in the Court service in this class. The specific benefit package any individual employee may receive is subject to change based on that employee's particular employment status and payroll title.01
INSTRUCTIONS: The information you provide on this application and supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the recruitment process. Please be as specific as possible and include all information as requested. A resume or a reference to a resume will not be accepted in lieu of a complete application and questionnaire, or considered in determining your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the recruitment process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omission of a material fact, or partial information can result in disqualification from the examination process.
- Please check the box to indicate you have read and understand the instructions.
02
Which of the following best describes your qualifying experience?
- I am a California Licensed Attorney with at least 1 year but less than 2 years of experience involving problems of people with mental illness and/or representing clients or conducting hearings related to conservatorship, Social Security benefits, habeas corpus proceedings, family law, or delinquency/dependency law.
- I am a California Licensed Attorney with at least 2 years but less than 3 years of experience involving problems of people with mental illness and/or representing clients or conducting hearings related to conservatorship, Social Security benefits, habeas corpus proceedings, family law, or delinquency/dependency law.
- I am a California Licensed Attorney with 3 or more years of experience involving problems of people with mental illness and/or representing clients or conducting hearings related to conservatorship, Social Security benefits, habeas corpus proceedings, family law, or delinquency/dependency law.
- None of the above.
03
Describe in detail your qualifying experience. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
Use the following format: Name of the employer(s)Dates of employmentNumber of hours worked per weekDescribe the SPECIFIC DUTIES and LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY that supports your response.Please ONLY describe specific duties including experience performing full-time work with patients in a California in-patient mental health facility OR experience involving problems of people with mental illness and/or representing clients or conducting hearings related to conservatorship, Social Security benefits, habeas corpus proceedings, family law, or delinquency/dependency law.Do not write "See Attached Resume." 04
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTSYou are REQUIRED to submit a copy of your current California Bar card showing active status
AND a resume.
Required documents must be attached to the application. Are the required documents attached to your application?
05
DISCIPLINE, COMPLAINTS, SANCTIONS, LAWSUITSAre you a member of any club, organization, or association that by policy or practice prohibits or limits membership on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender disability or national origin?
06
As an attorney, judicial officer or clinician have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics or unprofessional conduct by, or been the subject of a complaint to, any court, administrative agency, bar association, disciplinary committee or other professional group?
07
As a member of any organization, or as a holder of any office or license (including driver license), have you ever been suspended or otherwise disqualified, or had such license suspended or revoked?
08
As a member of any organization, or as a holder of any office or license (including driver license), have you ever been reprimanded, censured, or otherwise disciplined?
09
As a member of any organization, or as a holder of any office or license (including driver license), have any charges, formal or informal, ever been made or filed against you?
10
Have you or your professional liability insurance carrier ever settled a claim against you for your professional malpractice?
11
Are there any unsatisfied judgments against you, or are you in default in the performance or discharge of any duty or obligation imposed upon you by decree or order of any court (including any orders of child and/or spousal support)?
12
