Attorney

The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia seeks to hire a full-time Staff Attorney in the Court Improvement Program. Virginia has received grant funding for this program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services since 1995. This position offers a competitive benefits package, which includes vacation and sick leave, 13 paid holidays, health insurance, retirement, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short- and long-term disability.

A writing sample is required. The subject matter covered by the Staff Attorney will be juvenile and family law with focus on child dependency and primary responsibilities to include: (i) providing or coordinating responses legal research inquiries from judges of the juvenile and domestic relations district and circuit courts and the staff of the Office of the Executive Secretary; (ii) assisting with and presenting at training events; (iii) assisting in various court-related projects, including the development and revision of official forms used in the trial courts; (iv) reviewing legislation before the Virginia General Assembly to analyze its effect on the Virginia Judicial System; (v) representing the Virginia Judicial System at the General Assembly and in community meetings and workgroups; (vi) assisting in creating, reviewing, and maintaining resources for the Court Improvement Program; and (vii) assisting the Director of the Court Improvement Program as requested Occasional overnight travel in Virginia is required.

The successful applicant will be licensed to practice law in Virginia and in good standing with the Virginia State Bar (or be currently eligible for membership) and have 2-5 years of relevant legal experience; demonstrate advanced legal research skills; and have excellent analytical, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills.

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in family or juvenile law, particularly federal and state child welfare law, and some combination of the following: practice experience in Virginia’s trial level state courts; a judicial clerkship with a Virginia state court; or experience with the legislative process in Virginia’s General Assembly.

A writing sample is required. Additional Requirements: To be considered, a state application, resume, and cover letter are required. All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check and reference check.