Legal Counsel & Research Attorney
Judicate West - Santa Ana, CA
Judicate West is accepting applications for the role of Legal Counsel & Research Attorney. We are looking for an ambitious individual with strong attention to detail, an upbeat attitude, and excellent communication and critical thinking skills who naturally embodies the core values that have kept us thriving for nearly 30 years.
Job Type:
Preferably, the candidate will choose to be a full-time Judicate West employee willing to work in-person in Judicate West’s main Orange County office, located in Santa Ana, California. Judicate West will also consider an exceptional candidate wishing to be a full-time independent contractor,* and is open to discussing remote work opportunities. However, any candidate must be willing to travel as necessary to Judicate West's office locations, including in Orange County and Los Angeles, to attend meetings, hearings, or other live proceedings.
- *Please Note: A candidate seeking to work with Judicate West on a remote, independent contractor basis is expected to be available Monday through Friday during normal business hours (e.g., at least 8:00am to 5:00pm) unless previously discussed during a given week.
Pay:
Exact pay structure and benefits will depend on whether Judicate West and the candidate agree to an employee or independent contractor relationship, but Judicate West anticipates that the candidate’s gross annual income for this position may be between $100,000 - $240,000 per year.
Responsibilities:
The candidate will provide advice and counsel to Judicate West staff regarding a wide array of legal issues relating to California and Federal alternative dispute resolution, with an emphasis on matters involving arbitration and private judging. The candidate will work on projects spanning many aspects of Judicate West’s business, including:
- Service on Judicate West’s Arbitration and Private Judging Committee, which considers various issues regarding arbitration and private judging case administration of particular cases, as well as general procedures and policies relating to arbitration and private judging matters at Judicate West;
- Outreach and education for Judicate West’s roster of professional neutrals, comprised of seasoned legal practitioners serving as mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution facilitators;
- Internal education to Judicate West staff providing case management and other support to the roster of neutrals, with a focus on providing guidance consistent with any prevailing legal authority while also adhering to Judicate West’s core values.
The candidate will also provide legal research and writing support for professional neutrals, including mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution facilitators, by:
- Reviewing and summarizing arguments, evidence, and procedural histories on matters submitted to the neutral;
- Identifying legal authorities relevant to the disposition of matters and briefing neutrals on research pertaining to matters before the neutral;
- Assisting with the drafting of legal documents and memoranda required by the neutral.
Required experience and capabilities:
- Capable of working independently as a “self-starter” and prioritizing tasks with a high level of attention to detail
- Professional demeanor with the ability to maintain confidential information
- Ability to learn and use custom software programs
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, MS Teams)
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university
- Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience as:
- a civil litigation attorney with expertise in law and motion practice and/or experience serving in an in-house counsel role
- AND/OR (preferred) law clerk or research attorney with experience performing legal research and developing legal opinions with a trial court, appellate court, or alternative dispute resolution neutral
- (Preferred) familiarity with California alternative dispute resolution practice and applicable law, particularly in arbitrations
- Exceptional legal research and writing skills, including familiarity with online legal research tools
Applications must include:
- Cover letter
- Current resume
- Current writing sample of no more than 10 pages, double-spaced
- List of at least 3 professional references
- Applications that do not include one or more of these required materials will not be considered
**For consideration, please apply now. No phone calls, please.
