Supreme Court of California - Chambers Attorney or Law Clerk (SF or LA)
JOB TITLE: SUPREME COURT CHAMBERS ATTORNEY (LEVEL A – F) OR
SUPREME COURT CHAMBERS LAW CLERK (LEVEL A – C)
LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO OR LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
JOB OPENING#: 6271
OVERVIEW
The California Supreme Court is accepting applications for a Supreme Court Chambers Attorney or
Law Clerk on the personal staff of Justice Martin J. Jenkins. The successful candidate may be located
in either San Francisco or Los Angeles, California. The position will be staffed at a level commensurate
with the qualifications of the selected individual. Chambers Law Clerk, Level A – C, would be staffed as
a one-year, limited term position.
Justice Jenkins directs, reviews, and edits all his staff’s work. The applicant must anticipate that Justice
Jenkins will extensively revise all written work and request research that he may or may not use in
opinions or internal court memoranda. The selected individual must also be able to work closely and
collegially with other members of the justice’s staff and other court staff members. The individual’s work
will be reviewed and critiqued by other attorneys on Justice Jenkins’s staff and by the other justices and
their staffs.
The successful candidate will be expected to work out of the Supreme Court’s facilities in San
Francisco or Los Angeles, with the possibility of remote work for limited portions of each workweek. The
Supreme Court of California offers a hybrid work schedule with 2 days in the office and three remote.
This hybrid schedule is subject to change at the court’s discretion and depending on work assignments
or projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Supreme Court Chambers Attorney responsibilities include assisting the justice in drafting bench
memoranda and opinions in cases assigned to the justice, reviewing memoranda and proposed
opinions in cases assigned to other justices of the Supreme Court, and advising the justice on a variety
of legal issues. These responsibilities require a Supreme Court Chambers Attorney to carefully and
accurately review appellate briefs, trial records and other documents; thoroughly research and analyze
existing law; draft clear, well-written memoranda and proposed opinions; and make recommendations
to the justice on the resolution of legal issues presented in cases before the court. A Supreme Court
Chambers Attorney may also assist the justice concerning issues related to the administration of justice
in California’s judicial system.
CHAMBERS ATTORNEY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
California State Bar membership and relevant experience in the practice of law. Excellent research,
analytical and writing skills; broad and practical knowledge of the law; familiarity with appellate practice; maturity, sound judgment, and discretion; and ability to work cooperatively with other members of the
staff and court. Ability to discuss issues thoroughly and to work independently while welcoming
substantial supervision and editing of one’s work product. Broad working knowledge of both criminal
and civil law.
Level A: Active membership in the State Bar of California.
Level B: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of two years of post-bar
legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law
school, court, or legal publishing company. OR
Equivalent to two years of post-bar legal experience in a legal setting as described above, including
one year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level A, with the judicial branch.
Level C: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of three years of post-bar
legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law
school, court, or legal publishing company. OR
One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level B, with the judicial branch.
Level D: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of four years of post-bar
legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law
school, court, or legal publishing company. OR
One year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level C, with the judicial branch.
Level E: Active membership in the State Bar of California and the equivalent of six years of post-bar
legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation, government agency, law
school, court, or legal publishing company. OR
Two years of experience as an appellate attorney, Level D, with the judicial branch.
Level F: Active membership in the State Bar of California and two years of experience as a Supreme
Court Chambers Attorney, Level E, or two years of experience as a senior appellate attorney with the
judicial branch.
Work experience as a law clerk to a federal judge after passing a state bar but prior to formal state bar
admission will be considered equivalent to post-bar legal experience.
There is no external-only qualifying experience for Level F in this class.
CHAMBERS LAW CLERK MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Level A: Graduation from an accredited law school with a record of academic excellence.
Level B: Graduation from an accredited law school with a record of academic excellence and one year
of post-graduation legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation,
government agency, law school, court, legal publishing company, or clerkship in state or federal court.
Level C: Graduation from an accredited law school with a record of academic excellence and two years
of post-graduation legal experience in a legal setting such as a private law practice, corporation,
government agency, law school, court, legal publishing company, or clerkship in state or federal court.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
For all levels, exceptional writing skills. Knowledge of both criminal and civil law and procedure. Strong
interpersonal skills suited to working under pressure and graciously accepting constructive criticism.
Prior law practice or clerkship experience is preferred.HOW TO APPLY
To ensure consideration of your application for the earliest round of interviews, please apply by
Friday, September 20, 2024. However, the job will remain open until filled. This position requires the
submission of the Supreme Court’s online application, supplemental questionnaire, resume, law school
transcripts, list of references, and a writing sample. Only those applicants invited to attend interviews
will be contacted.
To complete the online application, please visit the Califiornia Courts website at
https://www.courts.ca.gov/careers.htm and search for Job ID # 6271.
The Judicial Council provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities who request
such accommodation. Reasonable accommodation needs should be requested through Human
Resources at (415) 865-4260. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (415) 865-4272.
OTHER INFORMATION
Please note, if you are selected for hire, the Supreme Court of California will require verification of
employment eligibility or authorization to legally work in the United States.
PAY AND BENEFITS
SALARY RANGES:
(Starting level and salary commensurate with experience)
Level A San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $6,875 per month
Level A Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $6,685 per month
Level B San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $8,319 – $10,572 per month
Level B Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $8,089 – $10,274 per month
Level C San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $9,148 – $11,625 per month
Level C Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $8,891 – $11,301 per month
Level D San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $10,532 – $14,052 per month
Level D Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $10,234 – $13,659 per month
Level E San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $11,918 – $15,907 per month
Level E Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $11,584 – $15,461 per month
Level F San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $13,796 – $16,305 per month
Level F Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Attorney Salary: $13,409 – $15,846 per month
Level A San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Law Clerk Salary: $8,319 per month
Level A Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Law Clerk Salary: $8,086 per month
Level B San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Law Clerk Salary: $9,448 per month
Level B Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Law Clerk Salary: $9,178 per month
Level C San Francisco Supreme Court Chambers Law Clerk Salary: $10,572 per month
Level C Los Angeles Supreme Court Chambers Law Clerk Salary: $10,271 per month
Some highlights of our benefits package for qualifying employees include:
• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• $130 transit pass subsidy per month
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)