Career Staff Attorney

The Office of the Staff Attorneys is soliciting applications from experienced, public-minded attorneys with interest in serving the judiciary as a member of the Sixth Circuit’s central legal staff.

The office comprises 26 attorneys and seven administrative support personnel. Staff attorneys have a wide variety of backgrounds; they have come to the office directly upon graduation from law school, from judicial clerkships, from other public sector employment, and from private practice. The office prides itself on being a collegial and collaborative workplace.

Required: Successful applicants must have:

• a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school;
• at least three years of post-J.D. legal experience;
• superior analytical, research, and writing skills;
• demonstrated ability to manage a significant workload under strict time constraints;
• the ability to accept and learn from constructive feedback; and
• a commitment to public service.

Preferred: Strong preference is given to applicants who:

• Excelled academically during law school;
• have at least five years of post-J.D. legal experience;
• have worked for the federal judiciary as a law clerk, staff attorney, or counsel to the clerk; and/or
• have significant experience with immigration law or other relevant areas of federal law.

• Compensation: Starting salary of $102,547 to $122,880 (CL 29) commensurate with qualifications
• Benefits: Employer subsidized health and life insurance plans. Dental and vision insurance plans. Flexible spending accounts for health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses. Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and mass transit subsidies. On-site fitness center. Federal retirement entails a pension plan (FERS-FRAE) and employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K). Retirees may carry insurance plans into retirement while paying the same premiums as employees. Visit www.uscourts.gov/careers/benef... to learn more about the Judiciary’s competitive benefits.
• Work/Life: Annual time off - 13 vacation days, 13 sick leave days, and 11 paid holidays. Vacation days increase to 20 days after three years and to 26 days after fifteen years. Opportunities for flexible work hours, a twice-weekly telework option (after three months with the court), and alternative work schedules are available under current office policies.

The selected candidate is provisionally hired pending results of background check and fingerprinting. Employees are required to adhere to the Judicial Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. For citizenship requirements, visit www.uscourts.gov/careers. Electronic Fund Transfer for payroll direct deposit is required. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court.

Please submit applications via OSCAR by visiting https://oscar.uscourts.gov. Application packages must include the following: (1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) a self-edited writing sample, (4) law school transcript, and (5) two letters of recommendation.

This posting will close on OSCAR on March 27, 2026. Initial interviews will be conducted on a virtual platform.

The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date; any of these actions may occur without prior notice.

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The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is an equal opportunity employer. For a reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, contact Human Resources at (513) 564-7250.