JUDICIARY OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Code: 77731 Unknown Unknown

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Legal staff, both on-site and remotely as policy permits, render legal advice and services within Judiciary Guidelines for matters falling within the purview of the Judicial Branch of the State of New Jersey. Perform legal work in preparing cases for review and/or presenting cases before a court, tribunal or an administrative body or for quasi-judicial review. Staff Judiciary committees as required.<

Examples of work

Level 1 Act as liaison with counsel and self-represented litigants Analyze briefs, records, or other papers filed in pending court matters Analyze case and party histories Analyze cases in accordance with existing laws, regulations or professional practices Analyze data Annotate calendars with additional information required by judges Answer questions posed by judges, the public, clients, customers, complainants, co-workers, subordinates, stakeholders and/or supervisors Assemble case files, documents or exhibits for hearings, trials or meetings Conduct legal research Coordinate and manage the Judge's motion calendar Coordinate attorneys' availability or readiness for hearings, trials and other court events Document how work is performed Draft correspondence, reports, memos or proposals Draft court orders, written opinions, decisions as directed Evaluate factual issues or evidentiary proofs Examine transcripts, case files, records or other materials to determine issues or sufficiency of evidence for certification and/or recommendations Gather affidavits, evidence, evaluations or other materials for hearings or trials Gather relevant facts pertaining to case Mediate various legal matters Moderate virtual proceedings; for example, send virtual invitations for proceedings, provide general instructions to the participating parties and control the virtual proceeding and locations of parties within the main proceeding and various breakout rooms Prepare memoranda of law Proofread opinions or other written materials for completeness and accuracy Provide cross-training to co-workers; for example, demonstrate to other staff how you perform your work Provide information to Judges, outside agencies, attorneys, court users, co-workers or community organizations Review court activities for compliance with procedures, laws, court rules, and administrative directives Review legal decisions to determine their precedential value Review litigants' records Schedule meetings, appointments, interviews and other activities necessary for accomplishing job assignments Screen pending appeals or motions requiring special treatment or accelerated disposition Summarize dispositions, briefs, interrogatories or testimony Write case notes or draft case related correspondence Level 2 Act as staff to committees or conferences Advise Justices, judges, management, committees, conferences and/or members of a tribunal on legal or case issues Advise managers on deadlines, rules, regulations, or related information Analyze case processing and/or bail from intake through disposition Apply statutes, court rules, case law, policies, or other regulatory standards to cases and other matters Approve continuances or adjournments in adherence to state or local division rules or practices Check written reports for completeness and accuracy Consult with judges, attorneys or law clerks for litigants with regard to special problems or pending cases Explain judiciary policies or procedures Give advice or assist staff or team members with work in progress Prepare cases for hearing Present cases on behalf of management at local hearings such as grievances and/or disciplinary hearings Present items before Judiciary administrative bodies Provide structured training Recommend appropriate court orders for submission to the courts Research legal areas of concern for members of the legal staff or various court committees Respond to attorney, litigant or citizen complaints Review case status with judges, managers and/or supervisors Review legislation affecting the practice of law or the Judiciary Level 3 Act as lead worker to team members or other group of non-subordinates in assigned tasks Advise Justices, judges, management, committees, conferences and/or members of a tribunal on complex legal issues Present legal arguments and/or try cases before review board, court or other tribunal Provide higher level technical advice and/or expertise to staff, peers or management Represent judiciary interests with outside entities<

Requirements

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Education

Levels 1, 2 and 3 Graduation from an American Bar Association-approved law school.<

Experience

Level 1 Must not have practiced law. Level 2 One year of experience in legal research and analyzing and evaluating legal documents, rules, regulations, and/or legislation. Level 3 Three years of experience as an Attorney-at-Law performing legal research and analyzing and evaluating legal documents, rules, regulations, and/or legislation.<

License

Levels 2 and 3 Attorney-at-Law with a plenary license in the State of New Jersey and having Supreme Court Good Standing Status of Active. Levels 1, 2 and 3 Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties of the position. Title Level Title Description Title Code Service Week Year 1 Law Clerk (U) NL 12 2 Attorney 1 (U) NL 12 2 Attorney 1 Confidential (U) NL 12 3 Attorney 2 (U) NL 12 3 Attorney 2 Confidential (U) NL 12 Effective Date: 10/4/2025

LEVEL SUMMARY

Level 1 - (Law Clerk) : Assists the Judge or Justice by researching legal issues, preparing legal documents, assisting in drafting opinions and other correspondence. The law clerk will also interact with attorneys and litigants on behalf of the Judge; and may assist in the settlement of cases once trained. Level 2 - Journey (Attorney 1) : Employees at this level conduct legal research, write legal memoranda, review legal documents and/or prepare cases for legal action. May present items before Judiciary administrative bodies and conduct trainings. Level 3 - Mastery (Attorney 2) : Employees at this level act as subject matter experts, act as the lead attorney within their division, and/or the lead attorney in the preparation of cases for legal action. May present legal arguments and/or try cases before courts, tribunals or administrative bodies. NOTE: The above summary and following examples of work are for illustrative purposes only. Any one position may not include all of the tasks listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties, which may be performed. Tasks are cumulative; higher level include the tasks associated with lower. Positions may be assigned higher-level tasks or duties outside their designated band, provided these assignments are consistent with established classification standards and do not warrant reclassification of the position in accordance with those established standards.<

COMPETENCIES

NOTE: The following competencies are cumulative in nature. For example, lower-level competencies are prerequisite to higher levels. Level 1 Conflict Resolution - Demonstrates good listening skills. Promptly and proactively resolves interpersonal conflicts in a decisive manner based on facts and reason. Takes action to avoid conflict. Creative Thinking - Develops insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to effectuate improvements or to resolve problems. Designs strategies as necessary where established methods and procedures are inapplicable, ineffective, inefficient or unavailable. Customer Service - Committed to providing quality services. Commands a thorough understanding of the customer, who they are, why and what they want and need. Focuses work on meeting and exceeding the customer's needs. Develops and maintains strong relationships with internal and external customers, vendors or suppliers. Builds customer confidence in the ability to serve their needs. External Awareness - Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where and how to gather information. Organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Integrity and Honesty - Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the organization's standards, including confidentiality in court operations, when appropriate, and the impact of violating these standards on the organization, self, and others. Trustworthy. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, respect, collegiality, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and politeness to others. Develops and maintains effective relationships with others; including effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed. Relates well with people from varied backgrounds and different situations. Sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. Participates fully in team activities. Legal, Government and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, government organization and functions, and the democratic political process. This generally includes legal competence in legal research, court rules, practices and procedures and rules of evidence. Oral Communication - Effectively communicates information to individuals or groups, taking into account the audience and nature of the information, for example, technical, sensitive, controversial. Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Organizational Awareness - Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, organizational and technological systems work and operates effectively within them, including the policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the work or organization. Perceptual Speed - Sees details in words, numbers, pictures and graphs, quickly and accurately. Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements. Determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them. Coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals. Monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Reading Comprehension - Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs or tables. Applies what is learned from written material to specific situations. Reasoning - Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information. Asks pertinent questions to acquire needed information. Analyzes information and makes logical inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Self-Management - Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals. Displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner. Works with minimal supervision. Motivated to achieve. Demonstrates responsible behavior. Written Communication - Composes correspondence, reports and other written material that is clear, concise, well organized and understood by recipient. Recognizes and uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Communicates information, for example, facts, ideas, or messages, in a succinct and organized manner. Produces written information which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience. Level 2 Decision Making - Makes sound, well informed, and objective decisions. Perceives the impact and implications of decisions. Commits to action. Flexibility - Is open to change and new information. Adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Interpretation and Analysis of Written Materials - Comprehends and evaluates information, balancing the pros and cons to determine a desired outcome. Makes recommendations based upon logic and acquired knowledge. Legal, Government and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, government organization and functions, and the democratic political process, with professional legal competence in specific practice areas for example: civil law, criminal law, family law, constitutional case law, lawmaking and civics, legal research, court practices and procedures, Rules of Evidence, judiciary and attorney ethics, labor and employment law, probation and parole. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit. Works with others to achieve goals. Visualization - Mentally organizes and processes symbols, pictures, graphs, objects or other information, for example, interprets auditing report from accounting to legal concepts, comprehends various legal processes and structures following review of court rules. Level 3 Conflict Management - Manages and resolves conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative impact. Counseling - Mentors, guides and coaches staff or team members. Provides feedback targeted at individual development. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed and objective decisions. Perceives the impact and implications of decisions. Commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals. Recommends, devises, and/or implements change. Effectively deals with ambiguity. Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others. Adapts leadership style to a variety of situations. Exhibits high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individual by applying these values to daily behaviors. Persuasion - Develops and articulates well thought out arguments to inform and persuade the decision maker where appropriate.<

SUBSTITUTION

Levels 2 and 3 One year of experience as a Judicial Law Clerk may be substituted for one year of the required experience.<