Colorado Judicial Branch
Deputy Chief Staff Attorney
Job Title
Deputy Chief Staff Attorney
Job Code
R45320
Job Series
Staff Attorney
FLSA Status
Exempt
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 participates in the supervision of Associate Staff Attorneys for the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Distinguishing Factors
Positions in this classification are distinguished from Associate Staff Attorneys due to the supervisory, training, and administrative responsibilities required in this position. Positions in this classification are distinguished from the Chief Staff Attorney because supervisory and administrative responsibilities are directed by the Chief Staff Attorney.
Essential Functions Of the Position
Manages Court of Appeals Staff Attorneys as directed by the Chief Staff Attorney - including hiring, training, monitoring work, editing, assigning cases and mentoring.
Assists in establishing expectations and providing employee performance feedback on an on-going and annual basis.
Assigns, reviews and edits Court of Appeals Staff Attorney work as directed by the Chief Staff Attorney.
Assists the Reporter of Decisions as needed with final editing of Court of Appeals opinions.
With the Chief Staff Attorney, develops and implements office policies and procedures. Implements policy changes from the State Court Administrator's Office and Chief Justice Directives.
Assists the Chief Staff Attorney and Court of Appeals Judges with the most difficult or complex problems.
Maintains a high level of expertise in one or more subject areas by reviewing new rules, legislation, Colorado cases (both published and unpublished), applicable federal cases, including U.S. Supreme Court cases, and other materials as appropriate.
Screens appeals for jurisdictional defects; analyzes issues relating to jurisdiction and appellate procedure and advises the court regarding the resolution of those issues; prepares orders as needed.
Independently reviews appeals in areas of expertise, analyzes issues presented, researches applicable rules, statutes, and case law as needed, and reviews relevant portions of the record. Determines whether issues have been preserved for review, whether they should be resolved procedurally or on the merits, and the correct resolution of each issue based on the controlling legal authority and the facts of the case.
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 meetings and training as required.
Performs others duties as assigned.
Supervisor Responsibilities
Direct supervisory responsibility. Responsible for establishing expectations, coaching and guiding staff and participating in actions and decisions impacting pay status and tenure including conducting performance evaluations.
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.
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.