Staff Attorney, Hennepin County, Civil Court

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Minnesota Fourth Judicial District (Hennepin County) Civil Division is seeking a Staff Attorney. The Civil Division Staff Attorney provides legal support to 15 judges, 4 referees, 34 law clerks, and administrative staff. This position conducts sophisticated legal research and analysis and provides daily advice, recommendations, and legal support to the Division. The Staff Attorney also develops training tools and provides training to judicial officers, law clerks and court operation associates within the Division.  This position requires deep knowledge of Minnesota civil law and procedure, court rules, and judicial bench policies and procedures. The Division relies upon the Staff Attorney to maintain familiarity and to explore new research tools and legal resources that may become available to the courts. The Fourth Judicial District is a fast-paced, high-volume, and diverse environment that promotes equity for all court staff and court customers. It is the largest Civil Court in the State of Minnesota.

The Staff Attorney will report to the Civil Division Presiding Judge. This position is located on the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN and the typical hours are 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday, and work is performed primarily onsite, with some flexibility for remote work based on business needs. 

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Examples listed below may not reflect all duties performed. 

• Complete project-based legal work as assigned by the Civil Division Presiding Judge and division managers.
• Provide legal support, research assistance, and advice to judicial officers, division law clerks, and administration.
• Conduct legal research. Prepare judicial opinions. Prepare Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of law and Orders.
• Maintains, updates, and revises the Civil Division’s internal library of memoranda, template orders, reference materials and other resources used by judicial chambers.  
• Advise and assist Civil Division staff with legal and procedural questions regarding filings from parties, entries of judgment, and post-judgment requests.
• Research, draft, and update standing orders, bench policies, and procedures for the Civil Division.
• Maintain current knowledge of Minnesota civil law; monitor and track recent changes, and advise judicial officers, law clerks, and administrative staff regarding new developments in Minnesota civil law, including reviewing civil appellate decisions and summarizing (as needed) new case law, statutes, and rules.
• Develop training plans and programs for Civil Division judicial officers and law clerks. Train court staff on legislative and rule changes.
• Attend and routinely present at Civil Division leadership and bench meetings, lead the monthly Civil Division law clerk meetings, and attend regular meetings of the Fourth District’s staff attorneys. 
• Serve on local and statewide judicial branch committees and workgroups regarding initiatives and projects including Court Administrative Process (CAP) development or compliance, identification of case trends, and/or proposed changes to legislation or court rules. 

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Possession of a law degree from an accredited college or university 
• Two to three years of experience as an attorney in private or public practice or two years of law clerk experience in a private or public legal setting
• Possession of a current Certificate of Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of trial court procedures and rules of evidence.
• Considerable knowledge of substantive and procedural law, court rules, statues, and case law in all areas of law.
• Proficiency in Westlaw and Microsoft software including SharePoint.
• Skill in applying legal principles and logical thinking to complex cases, problems, and research.
• Excellent writing, research, and personal computer skills.
• Strong communication skills, both speaking and writing.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities, remain flexible and highly organized, and work independently with minimal oversight. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others within and outside of the Judicial Branch.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Civil law experience working in the MN Judicial Branch 

SALARY:

The expected starting salary range for external candidates is $40.08 (range minimum) - $51.11 (range midpoint) per hour ($83,366 - $106,308 annually).  The full salary range for this position is $40.08 (range minimum) - $62.14 (range maximum) per hour ($83,366 - $129,251 annually).   

This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for State of MN employee benefits.  

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

• Complete and submit your online application with resume and cover letter attached by Friday October 30th, 2026, at 11:59pm.
• All employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of a criminal background check. An employment offer may be rescinded if the background check identifies job related convictions.
• Please contact Human Resources with questions regarding this posting via email: 4th.Human.Resources@courts.state.mn.us; or phone: 612-540-6488.