| Location | Santa Ana, CA |
| Salary | $129,313.60–$164,777.60 Per Year |
Research Attorney - Appellate Division
Salary
$129,313.60 - $164,777.60 Annually
Location
Orange County Superior Court, CA
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
6002AX-0826
Department
General Counsel
Opening Date
08/27/2026
Position Information
RESEARCH ATTORNEY - APPELLATE DIVISION
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will be open on a continuous basis; however, the deadline for first round of consideration is Sunday, September 13, 2026. Please note that this recruitment will remain open until the needs of the Court have been met and may close at any time.
This recruitment is open to external candidates, internal OCSC employees, and internal OCSC promotions. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies, and an eligible list may be established to fill future vacancies.
SALARY INFORMATION
Research Attorney Annual Range: $129,313.60 - $164,777.60
Anticipated Starting Rate: $129,313.60
(Note: Research Attorneys may be able to promote to Senior Research Attorney upon meeting established criteria. The salary for Senior Research Attorney is up to $187,512.00 annually.)
BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS
Choice of five medical plans
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.50% at 67 formula)
$3,500 Optional Benefit Plan (OBP) annually
Optional deferred compensation program (457 plan)
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
Dental and Vision Plans
Vacation and sick leave packages
14 paid holidays per year
Tuition reimbursement
TELEWORK/ON-SITE OPPORTUNITY
This position is eligible for a combination of telework and on-site work assignments. Telework must be completed from a pre-designated home-based location within the State of California, and employees may be required to report on-site to address business needs. Telework is at the sole discretion of the Court and may be rescinded with 48 hours notice, based on the needs of the Orange County Superior Court.
Opportunity Details
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
The Orange County Superior Court was established in 1893 and maintains jurisdiction over a wide range of matters, with our flagship location being the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, with additional courthouses located in Orange (Lamoreaux), Newport Beach (Harbor), Fullerton (North), and Westminster (West), as the fifth-largest trial court in the United States and the third-largest court of general jurisdiction in California. We have more than 140 judicial officers and over 1,500 staff with an operating budget of nearly $280 million.
Our court is recognized for innovation, resource advancements, and community focus while managing over half a million case filings annually and serving a population exceeding three million. The Courts Judges, Commissioners, and employees are recognized for their high standards of achievement, integrity, modernization, and diversity. The Court is committed to ensuring equal access to court services and enhancing public confidence in the court system.
To learn more about the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, visit our homepage at www.occourts.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Appellate Division Research Attorneys work under the direction of the Appellate Panel Judges and the General Counsel and report to the Supervising Research Attorney. They are responsible for researching legal issues in both civil and criminal law; carefully reviewing and analyzing writs, appellate briefs, trial records, and other case documents; drafting clear, concise, accurate, and well-organized memoranda and proposed opinions; attending judicial case conferences and Appellate Division oral argument hearings; and making timely recommendations regarding the resolution of legal issues before the court. Additional responsibilities include the ability to discuss issues thoroughly with judicial officers, receive and implement constructive feedback, and work collaboratively to edit and revise one's work. Excellent analytical, writing, and research skills are required. These positions are responsible for a high-volume of work, often with short deadlines for the completion of assignments and require exceptional self-direction and time management skills, as well as excellent judgment and the performance of duties with the highest degree of integrity in order to uphold the public's trust and confidence in the administration of justice.
Note: Although most Research Attorney positions are assigned to our Civil Division, our current need is in the Appellate Division, and this recruitment has specifically been opened to fill that need. Attorneys may be reassigned at any time to General Civil, Complex Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Juvenile, or Probate Departments, depending on the needs of the Court.
To view the full job description, please click on the following link:
RESEARCH ATTORNEY
Minimum Qualifications
BAR MEMBERSHIP
Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
EXPERIENCE
At least three (3) years of post-California Bar appellate law experience or experience as an appellate judicial staff attorney, or comparable position is required.
WRITING SAMPLE
Applicants must submit a self-edited writing sample with their application. A preferable writing sample consists of an appellate specific brief directed to an appellate division or appellate panel.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
At least five (5) years of experience practicing in one or more of the following areas:
Appellate practitioner, an appellate judicial staff attorney, or comparable position emphasizing legal writing and analysis
Familiarity with appellate practice and writ practice and procedures
Proficiency in online and windows-based legal research applications, as well as in using MS Word and Adobe Acrobat.
Excellent research and writing skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently on a wide variety of legal issues of varied complexity, to effectively manage ones time in order to meet stringent time constraints, and to interact professionally with Judicial Officers, colleagues, and court staff.
Additional Information
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants are required to submit a completed online application and supplemental questionnaire. To learn more about how to create an application, click HERE. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questionnaire. For tips on completing/updating your application, refer to our "Helpful Application Tips" guide by clicking HERE.
SELECTION PROCESS
STEP 1: Applications will be reviewed by Human Resources to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and/or desirables. It is to your benefit to include all current and previous related work experience. When listing Court experience, please include dates and classification of each position held, if more than one. Only those who meet the minimum qualifications and desirables (if applicable) will proceed to the next step in the recruitment process.
STEP 2: Candidates supplemental question responses may be evaluated and ranked. Depending on the number of applications, assessments and/or screening interviews may be conducted. If any part of the assessment process consists of proctored, in-person tests, candidates will be required to appear in person regardless of where they reside. Note: Though candidates may live outside of the State of California while participating in a recruitment process, individuals must reside within the State to be eligible for Court employment.
STEP 3: Candidates who are successful in step 2 will be placed on the eligible list. Placement on the eligible list does not guarantee an interview or employment. All candidates will be notified via email of their status at each step of the process. Additional steps in the selection process will include a local background check and a reference check.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Orange County Superior Court provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, upon request. Please contact the Human Resources Department at HRStaffing@occourts.org if you feel that you will need a reasonable accommodation for any aspect of the selection process.
ELIGIBLE LIST
This recruitment may be used to establish an eligible list for current and future vacancies. The eligible list will remain active until the list is exhausted, or a new recruitment opens.
STATUS NOTIFICATIONS
You will be notified by email during the process of this recruitment through GovernmentJobs.com. Please check your email spam/junk folders and accept emails ending with GovernmentJobs.com and occourts.org. If your information changes, please update your profile at http://www.governmentjobs.com/.
E-VERIFY
The Superior Court of California, County of Orange participates in the E-Verify program which confirms employment eligibility of new hires.
QUESTIONS?
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Monica Budd at mbudd@occourts.org. For general employment information, please click HERE.
Orange County Superior Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Updated: 10/31/2025
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Employees have an option to enroll in one of five medical plans; three HMOs (Cigna Select, Cigna Choice, and Kaiser Choice) and two PPOs (Wellwise Choice or Sharewell Choice), both administered by Blue Shield. The employee contributions toward the HMO or PPO insurance vary based on plan, coverage level and participation in the annual wellness credit program. To view health plan rates and summaries of benefits and coverage, click here.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: Employees have an option to enroll and contribute to a pre-tax Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA). These accounts may be used to eligible health care expenses or eligible care expenses within that plan year.
HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: The Court will contribute $63.04 per pay period into individual employee Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) accounts for eligible full-time employees ($31.52 per pay period for eligible part-time). This Court contribution will increase 2.5% annually each first full pay period in July.
DENTAL INSURANCE: The Court pays the premiums for Indemnity dental plan. Co-payments, deductibles, and caps on major dental services apply. Spouse and children less than 26 years old are eligible dependents.
VISION INSURANCE: The Court pays the premiums for employee only vision insurance coverage provided by VSP. Employees may elect to purchase coverage for spouse and dependent children less than 26 years old.
LIFE INSURANCE: The Court pays for employee basic life insurance policy of $100,000. Additional voluntary life insurance can be purchased for employee, spouse, and dependent children.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D) INSURANCE: The Court pays for employee basic AD&D insurance policy in the same amount as term life insurance. Additional voluntary coverage can be purchased for employee and family.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY (STD) PLAN: The Court provides STD which provides 60% of regular monthly income (no maximum) for 12 months (reduced by income from other sources). Benefits begin after all sick leave has been used or 7 days, whichever is greater. The Court continues to pay same amount of medical, life, and AD&D insurance premiums while employee is receiving STD benefits.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD) PLAN: The Court provides LTD which provides 60% of regular monthly income (up to a maximum benefit of $20,000 per month) until age 65 if the employee is not able to return to work similar occupation (reduced by income from other sources). Benefits begin immediately after STD expires.
OTHER VOLUNTARY BENEFITS: Employees may elect to enroll in additional voluntary plans administered by Unum. Available plans include Accident Insurance, Critical Illness/Cancer Insurance and Hospital Confinement Insurance. Coverage may be purchased for employee, spouse, and dependent children.
LONG-TERM CARE: CalPERS Long-Term Care coverage is available to current and former California public employees, retirees, their spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings (including stepbrothers and stepsisters), grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law between the ages of 18 and 79 when they apply. Eligible family members may apply even if the public employee or retiree who makes them eligible does not apply or is not approved for coverage. NOTICE: CalPERS has temporarily suspended open enrollment for the Long-Term Care Program due to current uncertainty in the long-term care market. Therefore, until further notice, CalPERS will no longer accept new applications for coverage at this time.
OPTIONAL BENEFIT PLAN (OBP): The Court provides employees $3,500 per calendar year (pro-rated for new employees) which can be received as cash (taxable) or allocated to several benefits ranging from health, County 457 Defined Contribution Plan and AD&D premiums (non-taxable).
RETIREMENT: Defined Benefit, fully qualified plan based on the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (Government Code Section 31450 et. al.). Employee and Court contributions are based on several variables including age, hire date, and salary. The plan is administered by an independent agency, Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS), and has reciprocity with various California systems. Currently, eligible new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in a defined benefit retirement plan referred to as Plan U (2.5% at 67 formula). *If you were employed by an OCERS employer or reciprocal agency prior to January 1, 2013, you have less than a six-month break in service, and reciprocity is established, you may be eligible to select from two other retirement pension formula options (Plan J or Plan P). See OCERS website for more information. OCERS members are also subject to specified compensation and benefit limits as outlined here.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Optional deferred compensation 457 & Roth 457 Deferred Contribution Plans are available.
VACATION ACCRUAL: 0-3 years, 120 hours per year; 4-9 years, 160 hours per year; 10 or more years, 200 hours per year. Maximum accrual of hours: 0-9 years, 360 hours; 10 or more years, 480 hours. Part-time employees accrue vacation on a prorated basis.
HOLIDAYS: 14 paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE: 0-3 years accrue 80 hours of sick time per year as full-time employees. After 3 years, full-time employees accrue 120 hours per year. Part-time employees accrue sick leave on a prorated basis.
COMP TIME: All employees receive compensatory time every March. Full- time employees receive 6 hours and part-time employees receive 3 hours.
ANNUAL PERSONAL DAY: All full-time employees have the option to take a paid Annual Personal Day on their date of birth. If the date of birth falls on a weekend or holiday, the Annual Personal Day will be observed on the closest business day. Part-time employees receive their Annual Personal Day on a prorated basis.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: 5 days of paid leave per qualifying instance.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: The Court pays into county administered insurance fund.
WORKERS COMPENSATION: Administered by the Judicial Councils, third party administrator.
EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT: Court reimburses up to $3,500 per year of tuition for approved, necessary courses, subject to availability of funds.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT AND FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS: Employees of the Court may be eligible for Federal Student Loan Repayment and Loan Forgiveness Programs.
BILINGUAL PAY: Available at additional $0.58/hour for selected classes in selected positions.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): Court offers EAP confidential services to assist employees with marital, family, emotional, legal, financial, and chemical dependency problems. This service is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
DISCOUNT PROGRAMS: There are numerous discount programs available to Court employees. These include, but are not limited to discounts on hearing aids, pet insurance, local attractions, technology products, wellness services and gym memberships.
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE AND IDENTITY THEFT SERVICES: Employees covered under group life insurance policies from The Hartford are also eligible for a range of additional benefits at no cost. These include travel assistance services, such as emergency medical transport (including medical evacuation and repatriation, with coverage of up to $1 million per person), medical and dental referrals, and replacement of medical devices and corrective lenses in the event of loss, theft, or breakage. Additionally, employees and their families can benefit from identity theft support services, which offer assistance with credit bureau notifications, card replacement, and guidance on completing identity theft affidavits.
ONLINE PRIVACY BENEFIT: Employees may elect to enroll in a voluntary online privacy protection plan provided by IronWall360. This benefit helps protect employee's online privacy by searching the Internet and locating any personal information and making sure it is removed.
Provisions are subject to terms: Personnel Policies and Regulations.
01
INSTRUCTIONS: The information you provide on this questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the selection process. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. If you do not have experience in an area, please answer "N/A". Statements such as "see application or résumé," will not be accepted in lieu of a response. All employers referenced on this questionnaire must be listed on your application. Do you understand these instructions?
02
I understand that a résumé MAY NOT be submitted in lieu of the employment application (or completion of the work history section of the application). A résumé may be submitted in addition to the employment application, but applicants are selected for an interview and/or testing based primarily on information supplied by the application and supplemental forms. Do you understand these instructions?
03
RESIDENCY/WORK ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT: I understand that I may live outside of the State of California while participating in a recruitment process, and that if I am selected for this position, I must reside within the State to be eligible for Court employment. In addition, work performed while working for the Court, even remote work, must be done within the State of California. Please note that the Orange County Superior Court does not sponsor work visas for applicants. Do you understand this requirement?
04
An active California Bar license is required. Please state your California Bar number below.
05
I understand that a self-edited writing sample must be included for my application to be considered complete AND I have attached one to my online application.
06
Describe your experience in State or Federal Court legal research, clerkships, or training.
07
Describe any experience in the area of appellate law and/or writ practice and procedure, including your specific experience drafting appellate opinions and legal memoranda. When describing your experience, indicate the name of the firm/entity, your dates of employment (mo/yr - mo/yr), your job title, the number of attorneys in the firm/entity and your job duties for each employer listed.
08
Describe any experience in the area of civil litigation and/or civil legal research, including your specific experience with law and motion. When describing your experience, please include the name of your employer and the dates (mo/yr - mo/yr) during which you performed the work. If you do not have any experience, type "N/A" in the box below.
09
Describe any experience in the area of criminal law and/or criminal legal research, including your specific experience with criminal law and motion and/or criminal writs and appeals. When describing your experience, please detail the types of motions you've worked on and include the name of your employer and the dates (mo/yr - mo/yr) in which you performed the work. If you do not have any experience, type "N/A" in the box below.
10
Describe any experience working in a law firm and/or governmental entity. When describing your experience, indicate the name of the firm/entity, your dates of employment (mo/yr - mo/yr), your job title, the number of attorneys in the firm/entity and your job duties for each employer listed. If you do not have any experience, type "N/A" in the box below.
Required Question
Employer Superior Court of Orange County
Address 700 Civic Center Drive West
Human Resources, P.O. Box 1994
Santa Ana, California, 92701-1994
Phone (657) 622-6878