Colorado Judicial Branch
Chief Staff Attorney
Job Title
Chief Staff Attorney
Job Code
R45330
Job Series
Staff Attorney
FLSA Status
Excluded
OCC Group
Professional Services (PS)
Signature of the State Court Administrator approval available on file in the Human Resources Division.
General Statement Of Duties
Provides highly complex legal services and manages the Staff Attorneys' Office for the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Distinguishing Factors
Chief Staff Attorneys are distinguished from other classifications due to the assignment of management responsibilities for the Colorado Court of Appeals Staff Attorney's Office. This position provides full supervision and is fully accountable for supervising Deputy Staff Attorneys, Staff Attorneys and other support staff. Supervision is received from the Chief Judge of the Colorado Court of Appeals. The Chief Staff Attorney is a classified, non-certified position that is considered at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
Essential Functions Of the Position
Responsible for recruiting, interviewing and hiring Court of Appeals Staff Attorneys and Deputy Staff Attorneys. Participates in termination decisions and actions. Evaluates new employees' progress and performance. Make recommendations to the Chief Judge regarding new employees' probationary periods.
Provides orientation and on-going training, mentoring and coaching to subordinates. Makes provisions for subordinates to attend outside training. May provide cross-training and interdepartmental training.
Conducts performance evaluations yearly and as needed. Attend to issues that arise regarding morale, job satisfaction, personal situations and any situations that affect the office environment and functioning.
Develops and implements new policies in conjunction with the Deputy Staff Attorneys and the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Implements policy changes from the State Court Administrator's Office and Chief Justice Directives.
Supervise staff attorneys. Assign duties and occasional special projects, edit staff attorneys' work product, and monitor attorney production, including both quality and quantity, in accordance with established standards of performance. Ensure production expectations are being met and take action if expectations are not met.
Meets with and maintains contact with the Chief Judge and implements any new polices or procedures as requested. Interacts with the other judges as required.
Prepares draft opinions, clearly and concisely stating the relevant facts, the issues presented, the applicable legal authority, and the resolution of each issue. If necessary, drafts alternative resolutions and provides a recommendation as to which resolution is most appropriate and why. Recommends publication of cases as appropriate based on novelty or significance of issues, need for clarification of existing law, or other factors.
Serves as a legal resource in areas of expertise for Law Clerks, other Staff Attorneys with different areas of expertise, and judges of the Court of Appeals. Prepares and maintains substantive and procedural resource materials in areas of expertise for judges and staff of the court. May also serve as a legal resource for the larger legal community through service in professional organizations, preparation and presentation of continuing legal education materials, or other appropriate activities.
Attends continuing legal education seminars.
Attends meetings and training as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisor Responsibilities
Manages multiple operations or programs. Plans, provides broad direction, establishes standards, and evaluates operations for diverse programs. Has significant latitude in personnel decisions.
Minimum Education
Graduation from an accredited law school; possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Colorado; eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Colorado; and six years of experience in the practice of law; some of which should be in a supervisory capacity.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Occasionally handles emergency or crisis situations; frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.