Magistrate

Full-time position with the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Division.

About the role

Successful candidates will efficiently manage a high-volume Juvenile Court docket, including unruly, delinquency, abuse, neglect, and/or dependency cases; adult contributing, child support, traffic, civil protection orders, and custody matters. Responsibilities include conducting hearings, presiding over cases, assisting in judicial and case management, and administering justice fairly and impartially pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, Rules of Evidence, Juvenile and Civil Rules of Procedure, and Code of Judicial Conduct.

Responsibilities

• Efficiently and fairly manage a high-volume Juvenile Court docket, conduct both in-person and remote court hearings, and maintain order in the courtroom.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and legislation, including updates to the Ohio Revised Code, Juvenile, Civil and Criminal Rules of Procedure, Ohio Administrative Code, Ohio Rules of Evidence, and Rules of Superintendence of the Courts of Ohio.
• Analyze, evaluate, and rule on motions and the admissibility of evidence.
• Issue orders and decisions for pretrial and discovery proceedings; appointments of an attorney or guardian ad litem; ex parte removals; shelter care hearings; detention hearings; temporary orders or extensions; summons and warrants; preliminary conferences; continuances; deposition orders; orders for social histories, physical and mental examinations; competency and/or psychological evaluations; proceedings for temporary protection orders; and other necessary orders.
• Set bail and impose sanctions for contempt.
• Perform legal research as required by the Judge or job demands.
• Draft legal opinions, findings of fact and conclusions of law, and various other legal memoranda, and recommend final disposition in all matters for Judge’s approval.
• Utilize knowledge of Juvenile and Probate Court processes, community resources, and dispositional alternatives.
• Maintain availability outside of regular hours for emergency orders.
• Comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct and Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, maintaining high ethical standards, patience, professionalism, confidentiality, and sound discretion.
• Complete assigned work independently with attention to detail and accuracy, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with Judges, court staff, attorneys, litigants, outside agencies, and the public.
• Read, write, and utilize computer applications, including the Juvenile Court’s case management system and office equipment.
• Conduct in-camera interviews and competency colloquies of minor children.
• Complete other duties as authorized by rule or statute or as assigned by the Judge.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree.
• At least four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Admitted to the practice of law by the Supreme Court in the State of Ohio and in good standing.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.
• Paid Holiday, Sick, Vacation, and Personal Leave.

Schedule

Typical work hours include day shift with regular on-call shifts in the evening and on weekends.