Maryland Judiciary - Deputy Director

*NOTE: All inquiries regarding this position should be directed to the hiring agency and NOT the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Job Title: Deputy Director, Legal Affairs
Location: Administrative Office of the Courts, Annapolis, MD
Grade/Salary Range: S07 $76,968 - $92,207 (depending on qualifications)
Opening Date: July 14, 2011
Closing Date: Open until filled
Position Type: At Will
FLSA Status: Exempt
PIN: 067984
Financial Disclosure: Yes
Regular state employees subject to promotion/demotion policy

Essential Functions

The Deputy Director assists and works under the direction of the Executive Director of Legal Affairs of the Administrative Office of the Court in performing the work assigned to the Legal Affairs Department. As Deputy Director, acts as Executive Director when the Executive Director is absent or otherwise unavailable, and must be able to supervise staff attorneys and administrative staff. Provides both transactional and internal-litigation services to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the State Court Administrator, the Chief Judge of the District Court, the various departments of the Administrative Office of the Courts, the District Court and its departments, and Clerks of Court. Is principal adviser to the Clerks of Court on legal issues  involved with the filing and recording of instruments in the land records offices of the Clerks of Court. Together with the Executive Director, provides advice to the Clerks of Court on other legal issues, such as court fees and costs and applicable personnel policies. Provides frequent advice to judicial officials on the legal issues associated with the development of an electronic courts system for the filing and electronic case and data management of pleadings, papers, court orders and decisions. Reports noteworthy activities to the Executive Director and makes records of precedential advice. Transactional work ranges from simple matters requiring oral advice to complex matters requiring written advice bearing upon the constitutional role of the Judiciary. Transactional work may also involve providing assistance to judicial bodies on matters such as implementation of Maryland Rules on Court Access, procurement policy requirements, personnel policy requirements, and compliance with the federal laws such as the Civil Rights Acts, ADA, FLSA and FMLA. Litigation services involve representing a judicial unit, including Clerks of Court offices in internal grievances and appeals. Such services require familiarity with governing law and policies, both State and Federal, an ability to assess the strength of a unit’s position, an ability to advocate management’s position, the capability to prepare witnesses from a unit and, most importantly, the ability to advise a unit how to avoid disputes while still preserving its interests.

Education

Juris Doctor and a member of the Maryland Bar.

Experience

Seven years of experience in general practice of law or equivalent.

Preferred

Practice in a governmental setting. Working familiarity with the recording of land records and electronic data management systems, especially involving governmental entities, judicial units in particular.

Skills/Abilities

Ability to perform legal research, analyze legal issues. Ability to familiarize himself/herself quickly with governing laws and policies  and develop expertise in new areas. Ability to compose clear memoranda and reports using proper grammar, punctuation and spelling, in a way comprehensible to attorneys and non-attorneys. Ability and willingness to communicate inconvenient or unpleasant facts and conclusions persuasively. Ability to set priorities and simultaneously process multiple duties and responsibilities. Ability to define problems, collect information, draw valid conclusions and formulate recommendations based on the information. Ability to apply policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws. Ability to communicate in an effective, patient and tactful manner with judges, administrative officials and employees, co-workers and Clerks of Court and their officers and employees. Ability to work as second-in-command to the Executive Director, work under his or her supervision, and implement the policies of the Judiciary, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the Department of Legal Affairs. Ability to serve as Executive Director when the Executive Director is unavailable.

Please submit a Maryland Judiciary employment application (unsigned applications will not be accepted) or resume and cover letter stating position title. Materials must be received within the office of the Human Resources Department at the address below by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date. The Human Resources Department does not accept faxes and will not be responsible for applications or resumes sent to any other address.

Maryland Judiciary
Human Resources Department
580 Taylor Ave., Bldg. A-1
Annapolis, MD 21401
Email: jobs@mdcourts.gov

Zip files not accepted.

The Maryland Judiciary is a drug free workplace and an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. Applicants who need accommodation for an interview should request this in advance. The candidate selected for this position will be subject to a background check. Employees must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.

See also: State of Ohio Job Search