Colorado Judicial Branch
Counsel to the Chief Justice
Job Title
Counsel to the Chief Justice
Job Code
R45326
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
This is a highly responsible professional and administrative position serving as an executive strategist and advisor to the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court on both legal matters and on matters of judicial policy. The incumbent is responsible for handling liaison, administrative, and legal functions for the Chief Justice concerning not only the Judicial Branch and the Supreme Court, but also the practicing bar and Colorado’s law schools.
Distinguishing Factors
This class is distinguished from other classification by providing highly technical legal, analytic, strategic, professional, and administrative support to the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. This position reports directly to the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.
Essential Functions Of the Position
Performs legal, analytic, strategic, professional, and administrative duties for the Chief Justice, other Justices of the Supreme Court, and the State Court Administrator as requested by the Chief Justice.
Attends speaking engagements, conferences, and various meetings with the Chief Justice or on behalf of the Chief Justice.
Drafts, edits, and proofreads speeches, letters, emails, and other major presentations for the Chief Justice.
Briefs the Chief Justice prior to meetings and conferences and advises the Chief Justice on policy matters.
Makes speeches and presentations to public groups on behalf of the Chief Justice.
Reviews and makes strategy recommendations concerning proposed legislation that pertains to courts and probation services, and assists in the preparation of the Judicial Branch budget request. Assists the State Court Administrator and the State Court Administrator’s staff in preparing comments to the General Assembly throughout the legislative and budget processes.
May meet with the house and senate judiciary committees, the joint budget committee, and other legislative subcommittees with the Chief Justice or on behalf of the Chief Justice.
May attend legislative meetings with the Chief Justice to highlight the Judicial Branch's point of view concerning proposed legislation and the Branch’s budget request.
Provides recommendations to the Chief Justice concerning impacts of proposed legislation affecting the judicial department.
Keeps the Chief Justice regularly informed of issues affecting the Judicial Branch.
Consults with and advises the Chief Justice regarding legal reasoning and reviews facts, recommends outcomes, and provides interpretation of law.
Drafts legal memoranda including appropriate suggestions or recommendations for cases assigned to the Chief Justice and assists in review of opinions. May occasionally assist the Chief Justice in the preparation of opinions.
Discusses legal issues with Justices and staff attorneys to ensure accuracy of interpreting and analyzing law.
Discusses administrative and policy issues with the State Court Administrator and the State Court Administrator’s staff to ensure accuracy in approach and execution.
Meets regularly with the Chief Justice and the chairs of the Chief Judges’ Council to ensure effective administration and leadership throughout the state’s judicial districts.
Assists the Chief Justice in the organization and management of the Chief Justice’s Commission on the Legal Profession, including attending working group meetings on behalf of the Chief Justice and serving as the Chief Justice’s liaison to the practicing bar, the law schools, and state and federal judges.
Attends meetings as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisor Responsibilities
Responsible for one's own work product and provides guidance, assistance, or mentorship to less knowledgeable or experienced coworkers, volunteers, or interns. This may include scheduling of work, instructing in work methods, and reviewing work products. May provide input into the hiring, performance evaluation. and discipline/termination processes.
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 four years of experience in the practice of law, which must have included at least two years of litigation experience.
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.