LITIGATION MANAGER

SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE POSITION OF

LITIGATION MANAGER

SALARY GRADE 20: $68,967

Unclassified Position in the Superior Court Administrator's Office

(Current Vacancy in Case & Court Performance)

CLOSING DATE: May 6, 2024

*OPEN TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPERIOR COURT ONLY*

*THIS POSTING MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS*

The Superior Court of Fulton County Georgia (“Court”) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Litigation Manager.

Superior Court is Georgia's busiest trial court of general jurisdiction. The Court seeks to provide a forum in which legal disputes between citizens can be resolved in a fair and efficient process with attention to equal access, impartiality, efficiency, and safety. After joining the Court, you will become part of a fast-paced team dedicated to providing the citizens of Fulton County with the service they deserve.

Position Overview

Career track court professional. Judicial Litigation Manager functions as part of a three-unit cross-trained team supporting a trial court judge/division responsible for docket and litigation process management or coordinates operational case flow management within a court program or division.

Essential Duties:

• Provide lead direction and manage all aspects of the criminal litigation process for all matters comprising the criminal docket of a trial court judge/division. Judicial litigation managers, not part of a trial judge docket management team, provide caseflow support to institutional programs or divisions of court and/or judges as assigned, by coordinating and managing the litigation process within the parameters specified for the designated program or court division.

• Creates and implements caseflow strategies based upon analysis of statistical data and application of principles of differentiated case management.

• Reviews and prioritizes complex and urgent case issues. Develops and monitors case management and case progression plans for appropriateness and revises and redirects case management plans and strategies as necessary.

• Generates reports and spreadsheets and reviews statistical data generated by the court’s computer case management system. Updates defendant and criminal case status and statistical information, reports, and dispositions on the computer, and other court systems as required.

• Plans court events, creates and publishes court calendars and notices. Schedules and coordinates logistics and planning associated with conducting complex jury trials and evidentiary hearings.

• Applies training and experience to caseload to identify and ensure emergency issues are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner. Acts as liaison between the assigned judge and county, state and federal criminal justice departments and agencies as required.

• Provides lead direction and guidance to attorneys, litigants, and patrons of the court, other court employees and other agency representatives.

• Functions as part of a three-unit crossed train team of career track court professionals to support execution of a trial court judge’s responsibility for litigation and docket management across case types. Areas of primary responsibility are divided among team members as determined by the assigned judge. The team works collaboratively providing lead direction to lawyers and their staffs, litigants and agencies regarding cases on the judge’s docket and to facilitate orderly case progression and court proceedings, including analyzing and prioritizing the flow of work relating to all aspects of a judicial caseload.

• Executes plans and procedures to ensure case flow efficiencies. Reviews and prioritizes complex and urgent case issues. Creates reports and reviews statistical data generated by the court's case management system.

• Updates caseload and statistical information, reports, and dispositions on the computer, and other court specific systems as required.

• Researches and responds to requests of the assigned judge, supervisors or program administrators, including preparing appropriate correspondence related to assigned court cases.

• Creates and publishes court calendars.

• Provides in-court support to assigned judge. Performs various duties in the courtroom, such as coordinating paperwork, recording dispositions, providing technical guidance and information to attorneys as required.

• Provides information, guidance and direction to attorneys, patrons of the court, other court employees and agency representatives regarding applicable case management policies and procedures.

• Provides information to attorneys and other concerned parties regarding cases on court calendar.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Requires knowledge of theories, principles and practices of differentiated case management. Ability to develop and adjust case management procedures employing recognized litigation process management principles. Capacity to manage high volume caseloads from case inception through post-judgment proceedings. General knowledge of court procedures and capacity to act independently in the performance of operational functions related to docket management and litigation process management across all case types. Capacity to exercise critical thinking skills, independent judgement and problem-solving skills in a volatile, high conflict, time sensitive environment.

Requires knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing areas of assignment, particularly working knowledge of operations and interagency protocols for local, state and federal criminal justice agencies and departments. Ability to develop and maintain cross agency working relationships. Working knowledge of core principles of substantive law applicable to proceedings in the criminal justice system. Mastery of legal terminology related to the area of assignment. Ability to organize and facilitate in court proceedings to include coordination of resources and logistics associated with conducting complex trials and hearings. Knowledge of procedures and practices specific to the criminal justice system, including researching defendant histories. Knowledge of procedures and legal requirements pertinent to creating and publishing court calendars and securing the presence of incarcerated persons. Techniques used to conduct investigations and research relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.

Ability to conduct case-related research and draft legal documents. Create and use spreadsheets, database, word processing, presentation and other software. Understanding, and using court specific computer applications to manage court processes, gather and analyze statistics, and create reports. Building sustainable working relationships with other criminal justice agencies, personnel, officials, and the public. Communicating effectively orally and in writing with judges, coworkers, litigants, lawyers and the public. Proficiency in general office practices, procedures, equipment, and technology.

Education and Experience:

Paralegal Certificate and Associates degree or Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, business, organizational management or related field, and three to five years employment in a court system, criminal justice agency, in-house law department or law firm environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the appointing authority.

Paralegal Certificate = 2 years Associate’s Degree = 2 years Bachelor’s Degree = 4 years

Licensing Requirements:

Requires a valid Georgia driver’s license.

Physical Requirements:

Work is typically performed in an office-like environment. May work in high conflict situations and with difficult, sometimes dangerous parties. Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing, sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, fingering, and lifting.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Performance Metrics:

Factor 1: Decision-Making

Operational: There is a choice in determining the tactical plans, processes, and staffing to achieve objectives established by the judge. There is choice in determining the process to accomplish the work. This choice includes designing the set of operations. Establishes what is to be done in similar circumstances in the future. Work may be done by others.

Factor 2: Complexity

Formative: Evaluates the relevance and importance of theories, concepts, and principles, and tailors them to develop a different approach or tactical plan to fit specific circumstances.

Factor 3: Purpose of Contact

Explain / Facilitate: Purpose is to convey directions, explain procedures, coordinate communications, ensure compliance with court / judicial directives and procedures.

Factor 4: Line/Staff Authority

Staff Authority: Influence is through direct impact within agency boundaries.

This job description indicates, in general, the nature and level of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Superior Court of Fulton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Applicants may request a copy of the County’s EEOP Utilization Report by contacting Superior Court Human Resources at sca.hr@fultoncountyga.gov.

Department: Case & Court Performance

This is a full-time position

Salary grade: 20: $68,967

Closing date: May 6, 2024