$97,490 (CL 28)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

ONE-YEAR TERM POSITION, RENEWABLE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 5 YEARS DEPENDING ON PERFORMANCE AND BUDGET.

The Office of Staff Attorneys (OSA) is hiring dedicated, detail-oriented attorneys to support the federal Judiciary's mission of ensuring equal justice under the law.  We are excited to welcome team members who exercise excellent judgment, demonstrate a high level of personal integrity, are open to feedback, thrive on independent work, and adapt easily to new work assignments and legal developments.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF STAFF ATTORNEYS

OSA is the central legal staff for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and is a highly collegial environment. OSA has subject area teams of attorneys who focus on either civil, immigration, criminal, or habeas matters. Each team handles motions and fully briefed cases. Staff attorneys report to a team supervisor and the Director of OSA.

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and seek a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov.

*OSA is headquartered in San Francisco, California and most staff attorneys are based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Opportunities to work from other courthouses in the Circuit (including Pasadena, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington) are sometimes available.  Staff attorneys are currently teleworking due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Staff attorneys are responsible for the substantive, procedural, and administrative processing of motions and fully briefed cases. This is a collaborative position that will foster your legal research, writing, and oral presentation skills. Applicants who are hired for this position will be placed in a subject area team within the OSA, depending on staffing needs and applicant experience and interest.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Staff attorneys are responsible for

• Conducting a comprehensive review of the parties' filings and the record;
• Researching legal issues;
• Determining the strongest recommendation for how the court should resolve the case or motion;
• Orally presenting recommendations to monthly two- and three-judge panels in a clear and concise manner; and
• Managing their docket of cases and timely completing all administrative tasks.

Staff attorneys may also be called upon to respond to public inquiries and requests for information, and to process emergency motions on an expedited basis outside of regular work hours.

With increased experience, staff attorneys may handle a higher volume of assignments, conduct peer review of cases, mentor legal externs, and work on increasingly complex matters.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS    

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• At least two (2) years post-J.D. legal work experience consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Proof that you are licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and an active member of the bar in good standing.

TOTAL REWARDS

Salary: Depending on locality* $97,490 (CL 28)

Time off: 13 vacation days; 13 sick leave days; 11 paid holidays

Benefits: Employer subsidized health and life insurance plans. Dental, vision, flexible spending account, long-term care plans available. Employer sponsored pension plan and supplemental retirement contribution plans with employer match.

Other Perks:  Telework opportunities, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, mass transit subsidy, reasonable work hours, team environment, creative people, and enhanced vacation accrual-based tenure.

HOW TO APPLY

PLEASE SUBMIT A PDF APPLICATION PACKET THROUGH THE CAREER PORTAL THAT INCLUDES:

1. A COVER LETTER DESCRIBING YOUR INTEREST IN THE POSITION AND WHY YOU WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR THE OFFICE, AND

2. CURRENT RESUME

IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW, WE WILL ALSO ASK YOU TO PROVIDE A LIST OF THREE REFERENCES AND A COPY OF YOUR LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT.

NEXT STEPS

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.  More than one position may be filled from this announcement.  Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified. Unsuccessful candidates will not receive notice. Applicants scheduled for interviews should advise the Human Resources department if any accommodation will be necessary to interview, must travel at their own expense, and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay required.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including, but not limited to, budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice. The court requires all its employees to be vaccinated against COVID 19 absent an exemption from the requirement based on a documented medical reason or a sincerely held religious belief.

EQUITY FOCUSED EMPLOYER

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The 9th Circuit encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.