Title: Deputy Clerk - Opinions Specialist

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Supreme Court

Location: Court of Appeals

Agency Website: www.vacourts.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This position is responsible for the finalization and release of the Court’s opinions and dispositional orders and the processing of all related filings. This position is also responsible for drafting mandates and orders responding to Supreme Court directives. Telework may be allowed at the discretion of the Senior Dispositions Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Court.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities –

The duties of this position include:

• reviews and finalizes opinions and dispositional orders for release electronically and/or in paper form to litigants and others;
• reviews, oversees, and provides feedback regarding the work of various deputy clerks;
• proofreads correspondence prepared by Administrative Deputy Clerk;
• prepares payment notices and orders for counsel;
• prepares or reviews mandates in all cases decided by opinion, assists in tracking mandates for certification, and reviews prepared correspondence related to mandates;
• reviews prepared correspondence related to bills of costs, reviews bills of cost and/or any objections, and prepares orders to accompany mandate and itemized statement of costs;
• prepares memos to panel for rulings on any motions or costs questions;
• prepares orders for cases in which the Supreme Court reverses or amends any order or opinion of this Court;
• prepares orders for payment of guardians ad litem;
• handles inquiries regarding any opinions and dispositional orders;
• communicates with judges regarding opinions and dispositional orders; and
• performs other duties as assigned by the Clerk.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess a four-year degree and 5 years of appellate court experience. Applicants that possess a JD or other advanced degree will be considered without the 5-year experience requirement. Experience proofreading and editing legal opinions is strongly preferred. Applicants must possess an excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe, and related computer programs. Applicants must have experience dealing with a high volume of work under time constraints, as well as be able to multi-task and exercise exceptional discretion in the completion of assigned tasks. Applicant’s work history should include working well with colleagues and the public. The best candidates will have a background of prompt and accurate completion of assignments, and will be capable of prioritizing numerous tasks, reliable, organized, detail-oriented, and conscientious.

Additional Considerations

State application, resume, and cover letter are required. State application must be fully completed. Applicants must apply online. Please no phone calls or emails regarding the application status.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Daisy Duitsman

Phone: No calls

Email: humanresources@vacourts.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.