RESEARCH ATTORNEY

NATURE OF WORK:

To perform advanced professional legal work for the Central Staff division of the Louisiana Supreme Court by performing research, reading transcripts and briefs and drafting memoranda on specific points of law. Work is completed under the general direction of Central Staff supervisory personnel and is reviewed through conferences, written reports and production records. Work involves the application and interpretation of established law, as well as research on res nova issues, in the preparation of legal opinions.

The position of Research Attorney is distinguished from that of Law Clerk primarily by more years of legal experience, as well as more responsibility and latitude in exercising independent judgment.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:
(A given position may or may not include all the duties listed. The examples provided do not cover all the duties which the incumbent of this position may be required to perform.)

Central Staff

- Primarily assigned to work on criminal matters but may be assigned to work on limited types of civil matters.

- Serves as backup for other research attorneys and law clerks as may be required to meet established work quotas and deadlines.

- Research legal and procedural issues in the preparation of opinions for criminal appeals on the judges’ regular docket, and for writ applications as well as the criminal summary docket where applicable.

- In courts where applicable, prepare reports on criminal writs/motions and participate in writ conferences to aid judges in rendering decisions on same.

- Maintains Continuing Legal Education requirements and reviews advance sheets and interoffice memoranda relative to changes in the law.

- Drafts concise statements of court decisions and enters into computer database for later use in research.

- May prepare criminal issue digest for distribution to all judges and their legal staff. (This task may be rotated among staff).

- May assist in maintaining law library.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Knowledge of the statutory and constitutional laws of Louisiana, established precedents and sources of legal reference.

- Knowledge of criminal judicial procedures and rules of evidence.

- Knowledge of federal constitutional law.

- Skill in communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing.

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with judges, court clerks and other members of the legal and other professions as necessary in the work of the Court.

- Ability to conduct legal research using computers (Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, etc.), as well as traditional methods.

- Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.

- Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents in assigned cases and to prepare written opinions.

- Ability to work independently in the absence of supervision.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, license to practice law in the State of Louisiana, as well as an active member in good standing of the Louisiana State Bar Association, plus one of the following:

(1) three years’ experience as an appellate law clerk, or
(2) six or more years as a practicing attorney or other relevant legal experience gained after graduation from law school.