Federal Staff Attorney

Overview of the Position The Office of Staff Counsel is soliciting applications for staff attorney positions from attorneys with experience in immigration law or agency benefits matters, and/or criminal and postconviction law. Upon completion of a one-year probationary period, successful applicants will be appointed to career positions. Applicants interested in part-time work may be considered. The office reviews an average of 2,800 appeals each year.

The office has a pressing need for attorneys who have experience in immigration or agency work; the office also needs attorneys who have experience with prisoner civil rights and postconviction relief appeals, direct appeals from criminal convictions in federal district courts, and counseled and pro se appeals from federal civil judgments. We are looking for strong candidates who share our vision of excellence and passion for the administration of justice.

Successful candidates will be expected to commence their service in Spring 2026.

• Conduct comprehensive analysis of records and briefs in cases that are diverted from the oral argument calendar.
• Make recommendations to three-judge panels for disposition of appeals in wide-ranging areas of law.
• Support recommendations with well-researched and well-written memoranda, proposed opinions, and proposed orders.

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an AALS-accredited law school, or admission to practice before the highest court of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or federal court of general jurisdiction of the United States.
• Excellent academic achievement. Rank in the top 10% of the applicant’s law school graduating class is strongly preferred.
• Writing experience on law review or similar legal publication, or as a member of an interscholastic moot court competition team.
• Proficiency in legal analysis and writing ability.
• Professional experience working on cases involving immigration (removal, asylum, and the like), Social Security claims, or black lung benefits, and/or significant criminal and prisoner law experience.

Applicants should possess a genuine interest in subject areas including criminal law and procedure, agency law, immigration, constitutional law, evidence, employment law, civil rights litigation, federal jurisdiction, and prisoner postconviction relief law.

• Vacation time accrues at a rate of 104 hours per year the first three years and increases with tenure.
• Sick days accrue at a rate of 104 hours per year.
• Eleven paid annual holidays.
• Merit-based time-off awards.
• Twice-weekly telework option.
• Agency-subsidized federal health insurance plans, dental and vision coverage, and life insurance are available.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter expenses.

Starting Salary Ranges

• $78,009 (CL 27/ Step 25) to $83,357 (CL 28/ Step 12), with increases possible each year based on performance and budget. After two years of employment with the Court, an attorney with previous experience may earn up to $111, 183 (CL 29/Step 25).
• In addition to the required qualifications, CL 28 requires one year of full-time specialized experience.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of records and briefs in cases that are diverted from the oral argument calendar.
• Make recommendations to three-judge panels for disposition of appeals in wide-ranging areas of law.
• Support recommendations with well-researched and well-written memoranda, proposed opinions, and proposed orders.

Applications must be submitted online through the OSCAR (Online System for Clerkship Application and Review) website. Applications received through other means will not be considered. Application packages must contain the following:

• Current resume
• Writing sample edited only by the applicant
• Copy of law school transcript
• Statement of applicant’s final law school class ranking or a statement explaining why such information is unavailable
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references with first-hand bases for evaluating the applicant’s aptitude for the work performed by staff attorneys(Letters of reference are not desired.)

Qualified applicants will be invited for interviews in person or via Zoom or other similar platforms, depending on availability and circumstances. Inquiries regarding this recruitment may be addressed to:

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.