Overview

COURT STAFF ATTORNEY II
Presiding Judge's & Real Property Departments

The Court Staff Attorney II position is open to current employees of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the Court). The incumbent provides complex legal research and legal consultation for judicial officers in the Presiding Judge's and Real Property Departments. The incumbent must be an attorney with more than two years of professional legal experience as a member of the State Bar of California. Once appointed, the incumbent can be re-assigned or transferred to any position in the Court classified as Court Staff Attorney II if the needs of the Court necessitate such a change. This selection process is conducted in accordance with San Francisco Superior Court Personnel Rule 4. An eligibility list will not be established.

Final Filing Date: 12:00 PM, February 3, 2026

Compensation: $4,584.10 to $5,572.28 biweekly ($119,186 to $144,879 annually)

The Court offers a generous benefits package including health and dental insurance, a contributory retirement plan, a deferred compensation savings program, paid vacation, sick leave, floating holidays, and holiday pay.

Position Overview

Essential Duties:

• Performs complex professional legal assignments and research in the Presiding Judge's and Real Property Departments; reviews and summarizes legal arguments, procedural history, and evidence in matters related to real property disputes; researches legal authorities, including statutory and case law, appellate court decisions, and legislative history, using traditional and computerized methods.
• Prepares memoranda summarizing background, identifying and analyzing factual and legal issues, and recommending disposition of legal issues for use by judicial officers; meets with judicial officers and provides written and oral briefings; drafts rulings for Court cases (minute orders, formal orders, tentative decisions, statements of decision, and judgments) for review and use by judicial officers; drafts correspondence to counsel and other parties regarding matters pending before the Court.
• Responds to judicial officer inquiries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and pre-trial hearings, including motions, evidentiary objections, jury instructions, and points of substantive law.

Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts ex parte hearings daily for the Presiding Judge's and Real Property Departments.
• Prepares memoranda, orders, and tentative rulings for the Presiding Judge and Real Property judges on the Law and Motion calendar and other directed research topics daily.
• Assists in calling daily Law and Motion calendars and weekly Unlawful Detainer calendars.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office and courtroom environment with continuous contact with judicial officers, management, litigants, attorneys, staff, and the public. The assignment will be at the Civic Center Courthouse. Physical requirements include sitting for extended periods, standing and walking, normal manual dexterity, lifting up to 25 lbs, and use of standard office equipment.

Required Qualifications

Current membership in the State Bar of California.

Two or more years of Full time professional legal work experience as a member of the State Bar of California is required for the Court Staff Attorney II level.

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles of Civil, Unlawful Detainer, Constitutional, Criminal, and Administrative Law
• California codes and statutes applicable to Civil and Criminal law
• Judicial procedures and the Rules of Evidence
• Legal research methods
• Computers and software used in professional legal work

Abilities

• Perform professional legal and legal research work
• Analyze facts and apply legal precedents and principles to assigned work
• Provide sound legal advice to judicial officers when requested
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Prepare and present reports
• Operate a computer and use appropriate software in professional legal work
• Represent the Superior Court with the public, petitioners, law enforcement, and other jurisdictions
• Maintain confidential information when required by legal or ethical standards
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships

How To Apply

Selection is open to current employees of the San Francisco Superior Court. Apply online and include a valid email address for future correspondence. Submit all of the following items:

• Online employment application (fully completed)
• Resume
• One-page cover letter explaining interest and relevant experience
• Writing sample not to exceed 5 pages

The online application, resume, cover letter, and writing sample are important to the process. Applications cannot be corrected, changed, or resubmitted after submission. All applications must be submitted by the final filing date and time.

Selection Process

Initial Screening: Complete applications will be evaluated to determine minimum qualifications. The Court may interview some applicants; not all applicants will be interviewed.

Oral Interview: If necessary, selected applicants may be interviewed. If scheduled, interviews are anticipated in February 2026.

Reasonable accommodations: Qualified applicants with disabilities may request accommodations during the process.

Other Appointment Information

Employment is subject to security clearance. False statements or omissions may result in forfeiture of employment. Information on applications and resumes is subject to verification. Employees must avoid conflicts of interest with the Court.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be favored or discriminated against for non-merit factors.

For questions on the above information, contact the Human Resources Office of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, (415) 551-0381.