Mental Health Hearing Referee

Position Description
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County is the largest unified trial court in the United States. The Court’s 582 judicial officers and its dedicated workforce of over 4,600 full-time employees serving across 36 facilities work purposefully and seamlessly to achieve the mission to provide equal access to justice to all of Los Angeles County. At the heart of the Los Angeles Superior Court is commitment and collaboration between team members who contribute professional skill sets and meaningful work experiences toward the goal of serving the community at large.
Accessible career paths, a healthy work-life balance, job stability, and comprehensive total rewards including generous pay and benefits, a robust public sector pension, and Court matched 401K/457 individual savings plans, are just some of the values that the Court offers to every member of its thriving workforce. Plan your future with the Superior Court of Los Angeles County – connect with us today.
About The Opportunity
Mental Health Hearing Referees are responsible for conducting mental health facility-based hearings to determine probable cause for further involuntary detention and treatment of mentally disordered patients in psychiatric facilities and/or hearings to determine an individual's capacity to refuse psychotropic medications. The incumbents must exercise a broad knowledge of legal requirements regarding the mentally disordered and applicable provisions of the California Welfare and Institutions Code related to mental health.
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Mental Health Hearing Referees are prohibited by Court policy from practicing law during their employment. This includes prohibition from receiving fees and appearing in any court on behalf of another person .
The responsibilities above illustrate the general scope of work for this classification. Individual positions may not perform all listed duties, and the responsibilities described are not intended to be exhaustive . For a detailed job description, please click here . Please note the requirements in the job description may vary from the requirements in this bulletin.
THIS IS A TELEWORK ELIGIBLE OPPORTUNITY
This position may be eligible for partial telework following an initial training period and contingent upon the needs of the Court.
Selection Requirements
To qualify, you must meet the following at the final filing date of this bulletin :
A California Licensed Attorney* with two (2) years of professional legal experience involving problems of the mentally ill and/or as a practicing attorney representing clients or conducting hearings related to conservatorship, Social Security benefits, habeas corpus proceedings, family law, or delinquency/dependency law, practicing law in California.
An active membership of the California State Bar in good standing is required.
Note: Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, (i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience). No additional credit is given for overtime.
Desirable Qualifications
Strong legal research, analysis, and reasoning skills, with the ability to interpret and apply statutes, regulations, case law, and legal principles.
Experience managing hearings, evidentiary proceedings, or other quasi-judicial or administrative adjudicative processes.
Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, well-reasoned, and legally sound written decisions, orders, findings, or other legal documents.
Knowledge of and experience working with mental health law and conservatorship proceedings.
Experience handling complex and sensitive legal matters involving vulnerable populations while maintaining fairness, impartiality, and confidentiality.
Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with judicial officers, attorneys, litigants, and other stakeholders.
Required Application Attachments
A copy of your Current California Bar Card showing active status must be submitted with your online application
Resume
LICENSES; CERTIFICATES; SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
APPLICANT SUPPORT & INFORMATION
Applications must be submitted online. Before submitting your application, carefully review ALL the information detailed on our APPLICANT SUPPORT page linked HERE .
Applicants with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process may submit a request for accommodation to the email provided below. For additional employment information, please click HERE .
What To Expect After Applying
This recruitment process will take up to 4-6 weeks to complete. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process, detailed below:
EVALUATION: Qualifying evaluation of education, training and experience based upon submitted application and supplemental questionnaire.
ASSESSMENT: Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the assessment process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to evaluate further job-related experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants who successfully pass each (and all) recruitment steps will be placed on an eligible list which will remain active for approximately six (6) months and may be invited to participate in a selection interview. Placement on an eligible list may not result in further consideration, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Other vacancies may be filled using this list.
Questions regarding this posting may be e-mailed to
Rosalina Murillo, Staffing Partner .
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Superior Court of Los Angeles County is an equal opportunity employer.

Skills
Legal Research

Experience
0-1 yrs

Work arrangement
Yes