Staff Attorney-Supreme Court- Unified Judicial System
Job ID: 13683
Agency: Unified Judicial System, Supreme Court
Location: Pierre
Salary: $71,952.48 to $75,543.84 annually, depending on experience
For more information on the Unified Judicial System, please visit http://ujs.sd.gov.
Position Purpose: This position provides extensive legal research, analysis, and advice to the Supreme Court on matters arising before them in regard to various procedural and substantive contexts including appeals, motions, original proceedings, proceedings for special relief, and certain administrative matters.
Duties may include:
- screening appeals for jurisdictional error to ensure timeliness of appeals and that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over appeals;
- reviewing pro se submissions to determine appropriate procedures when documents are procedurally inappropriate or unclear as to grounds or authority for relief;
- providing assistance to the Chief Justice, Justices, Circuit Judges, and Court Clerks by providing legal research and analysis regarding legal matters;
- reviewing petitions to the Supreme Court for certificates of probable cause in habeas corpus actions and recommending their grant or denial to the Court;
- drafting research memoranda and court opinions in death penalty cases, per curiam cases, pro se cases, and abuse and neglect cases to ensure application of pertinent legal authorities and standards to cases involved;
- drafting research memoranda and court opinions in expedited appeals and in original and special proceedings on issues which may affect the state as a whole or in disputes drawing particular public opinion;
- assisting in preparations for the bar examination and proctoring;
- performing other work as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited law school and membership in the State Bar of South Dakota (or successful completion of the first South Dakota bar examination following employment with the Supreme Court). Experience is not necessary but is highly preferred.
Successful completion of a criminal background investigation is required for employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- the law and South Dakota law;
- functions of the Court;
- court and judicial systems;
- appellate rules of practice and procedure.
Skill in:
- use of the law library and other legal research resources and software;
- use of computer resources;
- legal writing, editing, and proofreading.
Ability to:
- interpret and apply legal principles to appellate jurisdictional and substantive legal issues;
- conduct necessary legal research;
- review facts and legal issues in appellate cases each month and recommend the necessity of oral argument or disposition through written briefs and record;
- identify related or common legal issues in a set of cases;
- formulate and draft legal memoranda in a clear, concise, and coherent manner;
- present and communicate complex topics effectively in oral consultations with supervisory and decision-making authorities;
- analyze rule proposals and draft amendments and rules.
Unified Judicial System
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: (605) 773-4867 Fax: (605) 773-8437
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"