The Staff Attorney position will provide assistance to the Judge(s) in researching issues before the court and drafting Orders. Additionally, this position will be responsible for researching, compiling, comparing, and organizing legal documents for Judge(s) and assisting Judge(s) in court proceedings. They may also assist the Judges in making legal determinations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintaining confidential files.
• Research issues before the court.
• Draft Orders based on Judge(s) rulings.
• Draft opinions based on research.
• Safekeeping of records and files.
• Manage exhibits submitted into evidence.
• Interact with chambers staff, court personnel, litigants and the public.
• Assist the judge with hearings and trials.
• Review filings submitted by the parties.
• Verify cited legal authority.
• Draft a variety of legal documents, memoranda and orders.
• Research and analyze legal issues.
• Educate and advise the judge on the facts and legal issues of a case if requested.
• Research and write bench memoranda.
• Draft concise, well-researched opinions, bench memoranda and other legal documents.
• Keep abreast of changes in the law.
• Review complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Current membership in the State Bar of Georgia is required.
• Three years as a licensed attorney required.
• Three years professional and legal experience preferred.
• Probate knowledge and experience preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must provide a written sample of legal analysis.
• Must pass a background check, including fingerprinting.
• Must pass a drug test.
• Possess and maintain a valid United States Driver's License (Class C) and a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to identify and analyze legal issues.
• Ability to research State, Federal and local statutes, case law and rules of court.
• Ability to conduct independent research of legal issues.
• Ability to apply legal principles to case facts and make decisions.
• Ability to prepare and present legal analyses and recommendations for judicial action, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters.
• Ability to coordinate work with others.
• Ability to recognize and respect limit of authority and responsibility.
• Ability to work in an environment with conflicting priorities.
• Skill in the use of computer for typing, legal research, word processing and communication by email.
• Skill in assisting the Judges in anticipating legal issues and evidentiary and procedural problems in cases coming to trial.
• Skill in preparing orders with findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Ability to test legal theories in motions, briefs, memoranda of law, and petitions submitted to the judges.
• Command of proper spelling, and grammar and legal terminology.
• Skill in performing tasks which require attention to detail, and completing assigned jobs efficiently and correctly.
• Skill in planning, prioritizing, and organizing work; ability to handle multiple work assignments and deadlines efficiently, accurately, and professionally.
• Skill in transcribing tapes if required by assignment.
• Skill in the use of personal computers, MS Office Suite, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing; typing and entering data into a computer system accurately and efficiently, 35 words per minute minimum.
• Ability to communicate and interact clearly and effectively with all those contacted in the course of work in a professional and courteous manner, both orally and in writing, establishing and maintaining effective, professional, and cordial working relationships.
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally and to exercise discretion in performing assigned job duties; inability to maintain confidentiality will be grounds for dismissal.
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions within policy guidelines by exercising good judgment and intelligent situation-assessment.
• Ability to read and comprehend a variety of documents, memos, instructions, correspondence, policies, et cetera.
• Ability to create clear and concise reports, records, correspondence, reports, policies; ability to prepare standard legal documents.
• Ability to remain composed, professional, and pleasant in a stressful, fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Ability to resolve routine and non-routine problems and complaints by applying or adapting established policies and procedures.
• Ability to work in a team setting.
• Ability to work independently in the absence of specific instructions or direct supervision.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in an office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Employees of this office are not under the County’s merit system and subject to the policies/procedures established by the Probate Court.