Counsel in Charge (Appellate Legal Counsel)

Initial Posting Date:

04/21/2025

Application Deadline:

05/27/2025

Agency:

Judicial Department

Salary Range:

$11,749 - $18,226

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Counsel in Charge (Appellate Legal Counsel)

Job Description:

OREGON SUPREME COURT -- APPELLATE LEGAL COUNSEL

Interviews:  We anticipate that interviews will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline.

Who we are

The Oregon Supreme Court is Oregon’s appellate court of last resort.  The Supreme Court is part of the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD), Oregon's state court system, encompassing circuit courts across the state, three statewide courts that include two appellate courts and a tax court, and administration.  We are an independent branch of government, and we strive to provide fair and accessible justice services to the people of Oregon.  We need staff who value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers and are committed to access to justice, fairness, public service, and efficient court administration.

OJD serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps.  The work you will do in this role directly affects the people in our community who come to court to have their cases resolved.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds to apply.  We consider relevant work and past lived experience and education, in addition to any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications, or the skills and attributes needed for this position.

Benefits to you

• The annual salary for this position begins at $140,988.
• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees.
• We provide 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days each year; separate sick and vacation paid leaves, and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.
• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.

Position Highlights

The Oregon Supreme Court is hiring an Appellate Legal Counsel (Counsel in Charge).

We are recruiting for a leader with extensive Oregon appellate law experience who has the ability to provide legal advice concerning all aspects of the Court’s jurisdiction and responsibilities, including complex substantive and procedural questions; the ability to successfully manage the Court’s team of staff attorneys and central staff law clerks; and the ability to effectively serve as the Court’s liaison to various OJD divisions, the Oregon State Bar, and other external entities.  In this dynamic role, you will also support the Chief Justice as directed, relating to the Chief Justice’s roles as the leader of the Court and also as the administrative head of OJD.

Key responsibilities are as follows:

CASES AND RELATED

You will work on assigned cases pending before the Court, including conducting research; analyzing facts, parties’ arguments, and legal principles; and providing opinion-drafting and editing support.  You also will work on a variety of incoming petitions and motions -- including mandamus, certified questions, certified appeals, and Oregon State Bar matters -- evaluating facts and applicable law, and making appropriate written and oral recommendations.

As to the Court’s work generally, you will serve as the Court’s expert and lead resource on applicable procedures, rules, time limitations, protocols, and style and other conventions.  You will provide related advice to the Court, including in highly technical, procedurally unique or complex, and publicly sensitive cases.  You will track and coordinate communications and logistics for certain cases, such as expedited, high profile, and highly complex cases.  You also will serve as a resource for justices and staff on legal substance and editing.   

You will serve as an advisor to both the Chief Justice and the Court, relating to pending matters and procedures, processes, and protocols.  You will meet weekly with the Chief Justice to discuss Court business, planning, and special projects, and will regularly participate in similar discussions with the Court.  You will assist the Chief Justice and the Court with workload management. 

PERSONNEL, TRAINING, AND RECRUITMENT

You will supervise staff attorneys and central staff law clerks, including setting expectations for organizational performance, establishing work priorities, assigning work, monitoring and adjusting workflow, and reviewing quality of work.  You will organize and plan team meetings for supervised staff, discuss project logistics, and inspire positive relationships and teamwork with justices, staff, and other OJD courts and divisions.  You will ensure that the team has opportunities for professional guidance and will provide as needed coaching, guidance, and development opportunities.

You will assess the need for new or improved legal staff trainings and training materials, plan and present orientation sessions for new law clerks, and serve as a resource for annual clerkship panels.  You will participate in annual recruitment cycles for the appellate court law clerks, to hire central staff law clerks.  You will work with the Chief Justice and the court manager to recruit and hire staff attorneys, including updating the position description and draft posting, reviewing and evaluating applications, and participating in interviews.

LEADERSHIP AND LIAISON WORK

You will work on special projects for the Chief Justice and collaborate as needed with the court manager, justices, staff, and others.

You will serve as the Court’s liaison to the Oregon State Bar (OSB) and Board of Bar Examiners, working with Bar leadership on rule and process improvements, special projects, and other planning; and serving on committees and attending events.  You also will provide support to the Court on Bar-related updates and rule changes for Court approval.

You also will serve as the Court’s liaison to several other OJD courts and divisions, such as the Court of Appeals, the Office of General Counsel, and OJD’s Communications Team and Public Information Officer, and participate as directed on OJD committees or special projects.  Work with OJD’s Office of General Counsel will include, but will not be limited to, review and comment on proposed legislation affecting the appellate courts and the Chief Justice.  You may also serve as a liaison to external groups or entities.

Assigned tasks may change to accommodate workload and organizational needs.  We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission. 

Location Highlights

The Oregon Supreme Court is housed in Salem in the more than 100-year-old Oregon Supreme Court Building, just east of the Oregon Capitol Building.  The Supreme Court Building also houses the State of Oregon Law Library, the Appellate Courts Records Office, and the Court of Appeals Appellate Commissioner's Office.  The Supreme Court has seven justices, including one Chief Justice.

Application Process

• Workday times out after approximately 15 minutes of inactivity, and all progress will be lost.
• REQUIRED: A cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, Special Qualifications, and Requested Skills and Attributes, listed below.  
• REQUIRED: A completed work history, either by completing the Job History (internal candidate) or Work Experience (external candidate) portion of your Workday profile OR by attaching an updated resume.
• REQUIRED:  Written answers to supplemental questions.

Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Cover Letter (REQUIRED)

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume / CV / Cover Letter section of the application.  The attached cover letter file should include your name.
• In the body of your cover letter, to the extent not addressed in your answers to the supplemental questions, please include responses to each of the Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
• Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position.  We read every letter.

Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume / CV / Cover Letter section of the application.  The attached resume file should include your name.

OR 

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Answers to Supplemental Questions (REQUIRED)

As part of your application, please upload a PDF of your written answers to the following questions:

• Describe your law school background that demonstrates outstanding academic achievement (background includes academic achievement and other activities).
• Describe your law-related experience since graduation from law school, your experience in the practice of appellate law, any special qualifications that you would bring to this position, and how your career or other type of experience demonstrate a commitment to public service.
• Describe how your experience and education have provided you with the ability to perform extensive and complex research and complex analysis, including statutory analysis; in particular in that regard, describe your appellate experience and any other relevant experience.
• Describe how your experience and training have provided you with the ability to write clearly and concisely, even when the topic is extremely complex, and to draft court opinions, orders, memoranda of law, and, if applicable, court rules.
• Describe your experience supervising other lawyers, including your approach to quality review, team-building, performance management, training development, and addressing sensitive topics or ethical issues.
• Describe your experience working as a liaison to other groups and leading or participating in workgroups engaged in making legal or policy recommendations, or other problem solving.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application.  All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your cover letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use, in addition to demonstrated experience and other qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.

AND

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in the practice of law that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed for the position

AND

Be in good standing in the Oregon State Bar.
 

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

None.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter or in your answers to the supplemental questions.)

• Experience working as a lawyer for an appellate court or appellate division, or other legal work focusing on appellate practice and procedure.
• Experience developing and implementing policies, goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Experience effectively communicating verbally and in writing with a variety of audiences, including with leadership, staff, or stakeholders regarding a procedure, issue to be resolved, or a recommendation.
• Experience managing and leading a team of attorneys and other professionals to achieve objectives through a productive and positive team culture.
• Experience with the legislative process, including the review and analysis of proposed legislation and related statutes.
• Experience working with a variety of software, including case management and document management systems, to efficiently manage information.
• Ability to work with others in a respectful, collaborative, and solution-focused manner.
• Ability to maintain consistent attention to detail and protect confidential information.
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques such as team building, motivation, employee training, and operational management.
• Skill in employee performance management.
• Skill in explaining and interpreting current, new, or revised rules, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in leading collaborative, problem-solving groups.
• Skill in problem-solving, both on your own and in collaboration with others.
• Skill in setting priorities, working independently, and adapting work plans based on immediate, mid-range, and long-term needs of the organization.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position; the work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position is FLSA-exempt and not eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per work week.
• After-hours work may be required.
• Occasional in-state travel will be required, and occasional out-of-state travel may be required.
• Initially, the person in this position must work either four or five days on-site each week, with any "hybrid" work occurring on a set schedule.  The Chief Justice may approve an alternative hybrid work schedule, requiring only three days on-site each week on a set schedule, after an established initial work period.
• Frequent phone, email, and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds, including widely varied educational or professional backgrounds.
• Frequent phone, email, and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances or highly stressful situations.
• Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, and scanner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist.  Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships.  Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.  OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies.  This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Veterans' Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process.  To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility.  The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials.  Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department.  As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law.  Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.  To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
• Workday related information and resources are available here.
• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.