<p>The Second (Ramsey County) Judicial District is 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 $20,000 and consumer credit transactions that do not exceed $4,000. Conciliation Court referees preside over general and collection calendars of 20 to 50 cases per half day session.</p> <p>Conciliation hearings are presumptively heard remotely, unless exceptional circumstances exist to deviate to an in-person setting.</p> <p>Duties, Requirements, and Responsibilities:</p> <ul> <li>Serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge or designee </li><li>Exercises all the duties and powers granted to a Conciliation Court Referee by M.S.A. 491A.03, Subdivision </li><li>Familiarity with M.S.A. 491A.01 through 491.03 </li><li>Compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct as adopted by the MN Supreme Court </li><li>Refrains from making any extra-judicial public statements about pending proceedings </li><li>Prohibits broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom or virtual hearing during sessions of Conciliation Court or recesses </li><li>Prioritizes assignments and disposes promptly of the business of Conciliation Court </li><li>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 </li><li>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 </li><li>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 </li><li>Prepares orders that meet Judicial Branch standards </li><li>Carries out work assignments with a substantial degree of discretion and independent judgment in accordance with applicable state laws, rules of court and local practices </li><li>Maintains order and decorum in all proceedings and treats all parties with courtesy and respect </li><li>Advises litigants that they will be notified by mail of the Conciliation Court Referee's decision </li></ul> <p>Minimum qualifications:</p> <ul> <li>Must be a licensed attorney in the State of Minnesota </li><li>Must have at least five years of experience as a practicing attorney </li><li>Must be in good standing and have no disciplinary actions within the past 5 years </li><li>Must reside or maintain an office in or near the county in which they serve </li><li>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) </li><li>Must pass background check(s) </li></ul> <p>Preferred qualifications:</p> <ul> <li>Civil litigation experience </li><li>Possesses experience, knowledge and comfort with technology and electronic records </li></ul> <p>Service and Compensation:</p> <ul> <li>Must not cancel a scheduled assignment more than twice in a twelve-month period. </li><li>Will be compensated in the amount of $75 per half day court session; or if waived, a parking fee reimbursement may be requested. </li><li>Appointed referees may be asked to serve up to one or two calendars per month, depending upon need. </li><li>Must serve at least once every twelve months. </li></ul>