Staff Attorney (Legal Research) - Civil Law

Salary : $131,331.20 - $166,379.20 Annually
Location : San Diego Superior Court, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Full-Time
Job Number: 27-006
Department: Central Legal Services
Opening Date: 11/12/2026
Closing Date: 12/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Summary

STAFF ATTORNEY (Legal Research) - Civil Law
Examination No.27-006

San Diego Superior Court is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Staff Attorney (Legal Research) - Civil Law.

There is currently one (1) Civil Staff Attorney vacancy at the Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street in San Diego. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in Civil law.

All well-qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as the resulting eligible list from this recruitment may also be used to fill future Civil Staff Attorney (Legal Research) vacancies in any of the San Diego Superior Court locations.
JOB SUMMARY

San Diego Superior Court seeks dynamic, well-qualified and highly motivated individuals with Civil law experience to work as a Staff Attorney. Under general direction from a Legal Services Supervisor or Manager, typical duties of a Staff Attorney (Legal Research) include analyzing motions, pleadings, writs, and other documents submitted to the court; preparing comprehensive memoranda detailing relevant legal issues and recommending judicial action; preparing draft orders; responding to substantive and procedural questions from judicial officers, court management, and operations staff; and assisting the court with implementing and modifying court procedures and policies to conform with the law.

While the current vacancy requires significant Civil law experience, additional experience in Criminal, Family, Juvenile, and/or Probate law is a plus.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The San Diego Superior Court offers generous benefits, including:

• Fourteen (14) paid holidays plus one (1) birthday holiday
• New employees in this classification accrue vacation at an initial rate of seventeen (17) days per year
• Employees in this classification accrue thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave per year
• A robust benefit plan, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Participation in the San Diego County Employee Retirement Association
• Optional deferred compensation plans
• Annual pay step increases until the top of the salary range has been attained
• Eligible employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• May be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule and/or an alternative work schedule, subject to Court approval and operational needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must be current active members in good standing with the State Bar of California and have at least one (1) year of full-time, professional experience as a licensed attorney in California.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of law affecting Civil court proceedings and the ability to use online resources to perform legal research
• Ability to analyze difficult and complex legal problems and to quickly identify key issues
• Ability to perform complex legal research
• Ability to draft clear and concise memoranda and/or legal opinions and orders
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, including the ability to prioritize and allocate resources to meet the needs of the court in an efficient and timely manner
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment
• Ability to work as a team member on projects with colleagues, judicial officers and court staff
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to discuss complex legal issues

HOW TO APPLY

An online San Diego Superior Court job application is required. Please visit the court's website at www.sdcourt.ca.gov. From the General Info tab, click on Employment. At the Job Opportunities page, click on the position that you are interested in and then click on the Apply button.

New users of the NEOGOV online application system will need to set up a job applicant user account.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Please include the following REQUIRED materials in the "Attachments" section of your online application:

1. Your résumé (attached as a Word or PDF file) describing your education and experience pertinent to the position;
2. Two writing samples;
3. Professional references; AND
4. A copy of your current California State Bar card (attached as a JPEG or PDF file) showing active status.

Your application will not be considered if your résumé, writing samples, references, and Bar card are not included.
FILING DEADLINE

Online applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Qualified applicants will be placed on the Staff Attorney (Legal Research) eligible list based on an evaluation of information provided in the online application and résumé.

As vacancies approved to be filled occur, names of candidates from the eligible list will be forwarded to the department hiring manager. Work location preferences selected on the application may be taken into consideration when referring names to the department hiring manager. Only candidates whose qualifications best meet the needs of the court will be invited to participate in selection interviews.

Placement on the Staff Attorney (Legal Research) eligible list does not guarantee that all candidates will be contacted by the department hiring manager for interviews.
The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an implied or expressed contract, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked at any time. The requirements stated represent only the minimum required to file an application. Meeting the listed requirements does not guarantee an applicant will qualify.
CTA - Court Attorney

HEALTH INSURANCE:
Cafeteria-style flexible benefits plan, which offers health, dental and vision coverage.

LIFE INSURANCE:
A group rate life insurance program is available.

RETIREMENT:
Participation in the County Employees Retirement System.

VACATION:
New employees in this job class accrue vacation at an initial rate of 17 days per year; pro-rated if part-time.

SICK LEAVE:
Employees in this job class accrue 13 days of sick leave per year; pro-rated if part-time.

HOLIDAYS:
San Diego Superior Court currently observes 14 paid holidays per year, plus employee's birthday; pro-rated if part-time.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
Deferred compensation (401a, 457b, 457 Roth); tuition reimbursement program; suggestion award program; minimal sick leave usage award; credit union services.
01

Are you a current active member in good standing with the State Bar of California?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least one (1) year of full-time, professional experience as a licensed attorney in California?

• Yes
• No

03

To be considered for this position, you must satisfy all the following requirements:

1. Attach your résumé (as Word or PDF file in the "Attachments" section of your application) describing your education and experience pertinent to the position;

2. Attach two writing samples (as Word or PDF file in the "Attachments" section of your application);

3. Attach your list of references (as Word or PDF file in the "Attachments" section of your application);

4. Attach a copy of your current California State Bar card (as a JPEG or PDF file in the "Attachments" section of your application) showing active status; AND

5. Have at least one (1) year of full-time, professional experience as a licensed attorney.

Your application will not be considered if you do not meet ALL five of the above requirements.

Wherever specific information is requested, it MUST be stated. Statements such as "See Resume" are not acceptable responses. Sections which are not applicable to your particular qualifications should be marked "N/A" to indicate that they have not been overlooked.

Do you understand the instruction stated above?

• Yes
• No

04

Describe your experience in legal research and writing.If you do not have any experience in legal research and writing, please indicate "N/A".
05

Describe your specific work experience in civil law.If you do not have any work experience in civil law, please indicate "N/A".
06

Describe your specific work experience in the area of criminal law.If you do not have any work experience in criminal law, please indicate "N/A".
07

Describe your specific work experience in family law .If you do not have any work experience in family law, please indicate "N/A".
08

Describe your specific work experience in juvenile law.If you do not have any work experience in juvenile law, please indicate "N/A".
09

Describe your specific work experience in probate law.If you do not have any work experience in probate law, please indicate "N/A".
10

Describe your specific work experience in appellate law.If you do not have any work experience in appellate law, please indicate "N/A".
11

Describe your specific work experience in any other types of law not already indicated above.If you do not have any work experience in any additional types of law, please indicate "N/A".
Required Question