Staff Attorney

The Legal Division of the Office of the Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, has openings for highly qualified attorneys to serve as staff attorneys to the full court. The positions are full-time and for a two-year term. Limited term extensions may be available. Some telework available.

The Legal Division's principal responsibility is to recommend to the court the disposition of substantive and procedural motions, appeals decided without oral argument, and emergency matters. Staff attorneys conduct legal research, prepare legal memoranda, draft proposed orders, respond to judges' inquiries, and make oral presentations. Staff attorneys meet with three-judge panels in formal conferences about twice a month. At conference, staff attorneys answer any questions about their cases, and the panel discusses and votes on staff attorney recommendations. Staff attorneys may also present their recommendations orally to the judges when handling time-sensitive emergency motions.

Because the D.C. Circuit entertains a large number of high-profile and sealed cases, staff attorneys are subject to strict confidentiality requirements. In addition, your continued employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. A full background investigation for a security clearance may be required. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work for the United States government.

At a minimum, applicants must possess a J.D. degree as of the position's start date.