Colorado Judicial Branch
Reporter of Decisions
Job Title
Reporter of Decisions
Job Code
R45070
Job Series
Reporter of Decisions
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 editing of opinions for the Colorado Supreme Court and/or the Court of Appeals.
Distinguishing Factors
The Reporter of Decisions is distinguished from other classifications due to the primary focus of editing, but not drafting original legal opinions. Supervision is received from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Chief Judge of the Colorado Court of Appeals. The Reporter of Decisions serves in 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
Edits all draft opinions prepared by the Supreme Court Justices or the Court of Appeals Judges, law clerks, and staff attorneys.
Reviews and provides suggestions on rules of syntax, grammar, punctuation, diction, rhetoric, semantics, style, legal content, and citation of authority. Provides guidance on appellate procedure.
May act as a liaison between publishers and the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals on matters pertinent to the publication of opinions, including proofing of reports of decisions.
Performs legal research to keep abreast of the law and related trends so as to edit opinions correctly.
Provides research materials and assists court personnel in doing research on opinions.
Attends meetings and training as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisor Responsibilities
May have supervisory accountability for other employees, volunteers, or interns. Plans, directs and coordinates activities for a unit. Duties may include scheduling and assigning of work, training in all facets of work, quality control, and decisions impacting the pay, status and tenure of others. Conducts performance appraisals, and provides input into and participates in discipline, dismissal, and hiring processes.
Minimum Education
Graduation from an accredited law school; possession of a certificate of admission to practice law in one of the states of the United States; and ten years of experience in the practice or study of law. Required to be admitted to the Bar of the State of Colorado within one year of date of hire.
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.
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.