Family Court Administrative Attorney

Job Description

Position Summary

This is professional legal work supporting the judiciary of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Family Division.  Work involves providing the judges assistance with writing memoranda, orders, and opinions; reviewing the accuracy of a large volume of various pleadings and petitions; and researching legal and administrative issues. This position reports directly to the Supervising and Administrative Judges of the Family Division, or their designee.   

Pursuant to the Supreme Court's Per Curiam Order dated December 29, 2015, an attorney employed in the Unified Judicial System shall be prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which the attorney is employed. 

This position differs from other classifications by the complex nature of the legal research, case review, and administrative processing of legal issues.  This position reports directly to the Supervising and Administrative Judge or their designee.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive and may vary according to which Branch of Family Court the employee is assigned.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Conducts legal research, drafts orders and legal memoranda, and reviews pleadings and pending cases.  
• Provides reports, recommendations, and draft orders to the Supervising and Administrative Judges, and employees, on complex legal issues presented in pleadings and appeals. 
• Reviews and drafts dispositions on petitions, pleadings, and other legal papers pending before or as assigned by the Supervising and Administrative Judges or their designee. 
• Handles emergency responsibilities during business hours.  This requires interfacing with other departments/divisions, judges and judicial staff, and members of the public.
• Provides support to departments/divisions, judges, and judicial staff as directed by the Supervising and Administrative Judges or their designee.
• Research legal sources for briefs, memoranda, or opinions based on statutory law, rules of procedure, decisions, and precedents of higher courts.
• Searches for and studies legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to pending cases.
• Prepares high-quality orders, opinions, and memoranda by reviewing documents, files, and case correspondence and submit to the Supervising and Administrative Judges for review and signature in a timely manner.
• Maintains files on case documents and all related correspondence.
• Completes administrative tasks associated with assigned caseload.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, and diverse court clientele and members of the public.
• Performs related work as required with strict adherence to deadlines.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Provides general information pertaining to the assigned functions.

Performs related work as required.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Standard courtroom and clerical office conditions.

Direct contact with diverse court clientele.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the state and local rules of civil, criminal, and juvenile court procedure, as well as the state and local rules of judicial administration.
• Thorough knowledge of the Custody Act, Support Code, Divorce Code, Protection from Abuse Act, Juvenile Act, and Adoption Code.
• Knowledge of the civil case management system (Banner), criminal case management system (CPCMS), and Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System (PACSES). 
• Ability to prepare, for judicial approval, notices, orders, and opinions.
• Ability to analyze a variety of administrative, substantive, and procedural problems and to make sound recommendations as to their solution.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to take initiative, set priorities and meet deadlines and to complete assignments in a timely fashion.
• Considerable knowledge of the components and functions of the Domestic Relations and Juvenile systems.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, of the techniques and processes of legal research, and how to prepare motions, petitions and similar instruments.
• Ability to prepare orders and opinions on petitions, motions and appeals filed, for judicial approval; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, attorneys and associates, and the public.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume

Qualifications

1. Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

AND

1. Member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in good standing prior to employment start date.
2. Successful completion of a criminal background investigation.
3. Covid-19 Vaccination is recommended. 
4. Must work on site (not remote).