Attorney I - Courts

The Attorney I is responsible for assisting county judges by drafting orders and opinions, researching legal issues, and performing legal and administrative support services/case management.

Essential Duties

• Attend civil and criminal trials, oral arguments, miscellaneous hearings and conferences.
• Prepare jury charges during jury trials.
• Research various areas of the law and assist Judge in drafting opinions and orders for appeals and various pre-trial and post-trial motions.
• Provide non-legal procedural advice to attorneys appearing before the Judge, especially regarding Chester County local rules.
• Assist Judge during settlement conferences, administrative conferences, and pre-trial conferences.
• Review court files to determine legal issues presented by motions, petitions, preliminary objections, etc.
• Prepare memoranda for Judge summarizing the arguments and legal issues of specific motions, etc.
• Contact attorneys to coordinate meeting times and matters to be addressed.
• Track legal filings to ensure litigants have complied with our orders.
• Assist Family Court Judges with required court assistance for Protection from Abuse filings.
• Provide legal and administrative support to divisions of the court when required (family, civil, criminal and orphans?)
• Update legal reporters, statutes and research materials in chambers library.
• Assist in the preparation of local rules or other administrative tasks, as necessary.
• Track all filings and ensure compliance with the time limitations of PA RJA No. 703.
• Serve as liaison between the Judge and attorneys or other parties.
• Discuss case management issues with Judge.
• Provide Judge with statistical reports and spreadsheets regarding the status of cases.
• Coordinate with Prothonotary?s Office to ensure that all pleadings are included in the Court?s file.
• Supervise law student interns and summer law clerks.
• Provide legal counsel to Court Administration, Prothonotary?s Office, law clerks and judicial secretaries.
• Advise Judge of any changes in the law that will affect procedures.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• At least one year of job-related experience.
• Member of the Pennsylvania Bar or ability to obtain a license to practice law in Pennsylvania within one year.
• Strong legal research skills.
• Excellent writing and reading skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Accurate and detail oriented.
• Ability to establish priorities and multi-task.
• Ability to research applicable case law and cite cases.
• Must attend 12 hours of CLE annually.
• Working knowledge of Pennsylvania Rules of Civil, Criminal and Appellate Procedures.
• Working knowledge of Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys.
• A valid driver?s license is required.

• Three years of litigation experience.
• Strong knowledge of Chester County Rules of Civil Procedures.
• Working knowledge of legal processes involved in Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary civil and criminal dockets.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Must be able to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgement.
• Knowledge and skill with standard office equipment (fax, copier, calculator, etc.).
• Intermediate skill to use a personal computer and various software packages.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions.
• Ability to remain focused on daily operations.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of county management.

Additional Information

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic to Intermediate Word skills.
• Basic OutLook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Westlaw legal research skills
• Court system software

• Close vision for computer work, reading and writing.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• Work will be performed inside 100% of the time.
• This position requires sitting for extended periods of time.

• Must be able to work extended hours, as necessary.
• This position requires professionalism.
• Judge must be able to trust incumbent?s understanding of the issues involved, interpretation of the law, and legal standards.
• Confidentiality is crucial to this position.