Job Details for Staff Attorney
| Court Name/Organization | Indiana Southern District Court |
| Location | Indianapolis, IN |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 05/06/2025 - 06/05/2025 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 12 - JSP 14 |
| Salary | $89,447 - $125,690 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | http://www.insd.uscourts.gov |
| Announcement Number | 25-10 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is accepting applications for full-time Staff Attorney positions (more than one position may be filled). The Staff Attorney is appointed by the Chief Judge, but performs duties and responsibilities for all District Judges, including legal research, substantial drafting of proposed entries; screening of prisoner civil rights complaints and habeas petitions; reviewing motions to determine issues involved and bases for relief; assisting judicial officers in conducting hearings, conferences, and trials; providing information regarding court proceedings to the public, the bar, and pro se litigants; providing case management of prisoner litigation; preparing periodic reports reflecting the status and flow of cases; and providing information to other court personnel regarding prisoner cases. The staff attorney may also have an opportunity to work on death penalty habeas cases. This position is dependent on available funding.
Qualifications
Candidates must have the following minimum qualifications: (1) law school graduation in the top quarter of the graduating class (top 10% preferred); (2) law review/journal experience; (3) good character and maturity; (4) excellent skills in research, case management, writing, proofreading, communication, and source and cite checking (including use of proper Bluebook form); (5) proficiency in computer-assisted legal research, Windows, and MS Word; (6) minimum of one year's experience (five preferred) in the practice of law, in a judicial clerkship, or other comparable position demanding high quality legal writing and management of a heavy volume of cases; and (7) ability and willingness to work collegially with others.
Employee Benefits
Employees of the U.S. District Court are Excepted Appointments and considered At-Will judicial employees. Federal Government Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply. Part-time employees' benefits may be pro-rated based on coverage and/or cost-sharing of premium.
Some of the available benefits are:
- Participation in the federal health, dental and vision programs of the employee's choice
- Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), including the Thrift Savings Plan – similar to a 401(k)
- Participation in a group life insurance program
- Participation in a group long-term disability insurance program
- Participation in a long-term care insurance program
- Participation in a flexible spending account for medical and/or dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis
- Credit for prior government service
- Paid annual and sick leave and applicable paid holidays per year pro-rated for part time employment
Miscellaneous
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is accepting applications for full-time Staff Attorney positions (more than one position may be filled). The Staff Attorney is appointed by the Chief Judge, but performs duties and responsibilities for all District Judges, including legal research, substantial drafting of proposed entries; screening of prisoner civil rights complaints and habeas petitions; reviewing motions to determine issues involved and bases for relief; assisting judicial officers in conducting hearings, conferences, and trials; providing information regarding court proceedings to the public, the bar, and pro se litigants; providing case management of prisoner litigation; preparing periodic reports reflecting the status and flow of cases; and providing information to other court personnel regarding prisoner cases. The staff attorney may also have an opportunity to work on death penalty habeas cases. This position is dependent on available funding.
Application Info
Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé, writing sample (no more than 10 pages), a law school transcript, three references, and a completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment in PDF format to: StaffAttorneyApp@insd.uscourts.gov and ensure that your name and the words “Staff Attorney” appear in the subject line of your email. Applications must be emailed before 4 p.m. ET, Thursday June 5, 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled prior to the Application Deadline.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.