A job with U.S. Courts in Washington, District of Columbia. It pays $81,884–$187,117 per year at grade CL-27. Applications close on Jan 29, 2027 — 90 days left.
- Working pattern
- Telework eligible
- Who can apply
- Open to the public
- Clearance
- Secret
Main duties
- 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.
Full details
About the role
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.
What you will do
- 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.
Requirements
- 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.
Education
At a minimum, applicants must possess a J.D. degree as of the position's start date.
How you will be evaluated
Applicants will be evaluated based on their application and an interview.
Documents you must provide
- Cover letter Resume Law school transcript Self-edited writing sample See 'How to Apply' for instructions.
Benefits
To learn about the Judiciary's benefits, go to ***
What to expect next
Interviews will begin immediately. Due to the large volume of applications, the court will send a letter regarding the status of an application only to those candidates scheduled for interviews. When the position is filled, a notice will be placed on the court's internet site.
Additional information
Selected applicants will serve a one-year probationary period. All positions in the Clerk's Office are excepted appointments and are "at will." The United States Court of Appeals is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Selected applicants will be subject to mandatory electronic transfer of funds for payment of net pay.
The United States Courthouse is a smoke-free building.
How to apply
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Details on this page reflect the source posting as of Nov 1, 2026. Closing dates and salary ranges can change without notice — the official listing is always authoritative. How our coverage works.
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