Job Details
| Court Name/Organization | Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Overview of the Position | The Office of Staff Counsel is soliciting applications for staff attorney positions from third-year law students, law clerks, and attorneys. Successful candidates will be appointed to two-year term positions. Contingent on performance and budget availability, appointed candidates may be offered an extension of their appointment for a third year. Applicants interested in part-time work may be considered. The office reviews an average of 3,200 appeals each year. Approximately half of the cases assigned to staff attorneys are prisoner civil rights and postconviction relief appeals, approximately one-fourth are direct appeals from criminal convictions in federal district courts, and the balance are counseled and pro se appeals from federal civil judgments and final decisions by various federal agencies. 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 September 2025. |
| Location | Richmond, VA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 12/30/2024 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 27 - CL 28 |
| Salary | $75,715 - $80,909 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov |
| Announcement Number | 24-02 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
- 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.
Qualifications
- 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 20% of the applicant’s law school graduating class is 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.
- Internship or postgraduation experience, or significant law school coursework, in subjects relating to criminal law and procedure.
Applicants should possess a genuine interest in subject areas including criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, evidence, employment law, civil rights litigation, federal jurisdiction, black lung benefits, immigration, Social Security, and prisoner postconviction relief law.
Employee Benefits
- 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
- Flexible schedules
- 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
- Mass transit subsidy (budget dependent)
Miscellaneous
- 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.
Application Info
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:
- Cover letter
- Current resume
- Writing sample edited only by the applicant
- Copy of law school transcript
- Statement of applicant’s current or final law school class ranking or a statement explaining why such information is unavailable
- Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) 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 Teams or other similar platforms, depending on availability and circumstances. Inquiries regarding this recruitment may be addressed to:
Melissa L. Wood, Senior Staff Attorney
Office of Staff Counsel
1100 E. Main Street, Suite 325
Richmond, VA 23219
Melissa_Wood@ca4.uscourts.gov
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.