Conciliation Court Referee - 2nd, 4th, and 10th Districts Apply
The Second (Ramsey County), Fourth (Hennepin County), and Tenth (Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright) Judicial Districts are seeking attorneys to serve as Conciliation Court referees. Conciliation Court, also known as \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"small claims court,\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" is a division of District Court and handles claims for money and property that do not exceed $15,000 and consumer credit transactions that do not exceed $4,000. Conciliation Court referees preside over general and collection calendars of 12 to 50 cases per half day session.
Conciliation hearings are presumptively heard remotely, unless exceptional circumstances exist to deviate to an in-person setting.
Please note that these are contractor positions with the Second, Fourth, and/or Tenth Districts. Candidates contracted for these opportunities will not be employees of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. They will be compensated on a contractual, per-diem basis, at the rate of $75.00 per half day, and they are excluded from eligibility of benefits available to MJB employees. The engagement of Conciliation Court Referees is governed by Minnesota Statute 491A.03.
Example of Duties
- Serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge or designee
- Exercises all the duties and powers granted to a Conciliation Court Referee by M.S.A. 491A.03, Subdivision 1
- Familiarity with M.S.A. 491A.01 through 491.03
- Compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct as adopted by the MN Supreme Court
- Refrains from making any extra-judicial public statements about pending proceedings
- Prohibits broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom or virtual hearing during sessions of Conciliation Court or recesses
- Prioritizes assignments and disposes promptly of the business of Conciliation Court
- Affords every party in a proceeding the full right to be heard according to law and maintains compliance with Rule 2.9 of the Code of Judicial Conduct
- Conciliation Court referees shall not serve as a lawyer in the County's conciliation court for which they serve, nor as a lawyer in any appeals from judgments originating from the County's conciliation court for which they serve
- Presides over assigned hearings; reviews court calendars before scheduled sessions of court; grants continuances; reads or listens to allegations and determines if action is supported by facts; hears and evaluates evidence of witnesses and technical experts; listens to presentation of case; and rules on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony
- Prepares orders that meet Judicial Branch standards
- Carries out work assignments with a substantial degree of discretion and independent judgement in accordance with applicable state laws, rules of court and local practices
- Maintains order and decorum in all proceedings and treats all parties with courtesy and respect
- Advises litigants that they will be notified by mail of the Conciliation Court Referee's decision
- Perform legal research if needed
- Ability to learn, adapt, and utilize technology in operation of electronic devices
Typical Qualifications
Minimum qualifications:
- Must be a licensed attorney in the State of Minnesota
- Must have at least five years of experience as a practicing attorney
- Must be in good standing and have no disciplinary actions within the past 5 years
- Must reside or maintain an office in or near the District (2, 4 or 10) in which they serve.
- May not have a client base that would create a frequent conflict in the type of cases most commonly heard in conciliation court (e.g. credit card debt, landlord tenant)
- Must pass background check(s)
Preferred qualifications:
- Civil litigation experience
- Possesses experience, knowledge and comfort with technology and electronic records
- Work well under pressure with demonstrated time management and problem-solving efficiencies
- Attention to detail and ability to foster cooperations with effective interpersonal skills
Supplemental Information
Service and Compensation :
- Must not cancel a scheduled assignment more than twice in a twelve-month period
- Will be compensated in the amount of $75 per half day court session; or if waived, a parking fee reimbursement may be requested
District Specific Information
2nd District (Ramsey County)
- Appointed referees may be asked to serve up to one or two calendars per month, depending on need
- Must serve at least once every twelve months
- If working remotely, access to a computer and webcam with reliable, high-speed internet allowing for video and document sharing
4th District (Hennepin County)
- Typical scheduling for this work is one morning calendar or one afternoon calendar, with a potential for both in the same day
- Time to complete a calendar depends upon the number of cases assigned, but typically, should not exceed three hours
- Must serve at least once every three months
10th District (Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright Counties)
- If working remotely, access to a computer and webcam with reliable, high-speed internet allowing for video and document sharing
- Work will include hearings across multiple counties of the Tenth Judicial District
- Option to work remotely or in person at the Tenth Judicial District Office located in City of Ramsey
- Typical scheduling for this work is one morning calendar or one afternoon calendar, with a potential for both in the same day
- Must serve at least once every three months.
- Time to complete a calendar depends upon the number of cases assigned, but typically, should not exceed three hours
- Orders from hearing must be produced to Court Administration within 48 hours of the hearing
Visit www.mncourts.gov/careers. Complete and submit your online application with resume and cover letter attached by February 29th, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Please contact Human Resources with questions regarding this posting via email: 4thRecruitment@courts.state.mn.us; or phone: 612-348-2298.
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