Job Details for Senior Staff Attorney
| Court Name/Organization | Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Overview of the Position | The Senior Staff Attorney is an executive position appointed by the Chief Judge with the approval of the Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 715. The Senior Staff Attorney oversees the Eighth Circuit Staff Attorneys, supervising a staff of 23 attorneys (including four supervisory staff attorneys) and three support personnel. The primary responsibility of the Senior Staff Attorney is to ensure the high quality of all substantive legal work performed by the staff attorneys. In addition, the Senior Staff Attorney has administrative responsibility for all aspects of the office’s operations, including, but not limited to, human resources management, recruitment and training, budget preparation and fiscal oversight, procurement management, establishing and managing systems and processes, and statistical reporting. |
| Location | St. Louis, MO |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 02/18/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 16 - JSP 17 |
| Salary | $177,916 - $236,699 |
Position Description
About the Eighth Circuit Staff Attorneys
The Eighth Circuit Staff Attorneys support the Court as a whole rather than individual judges. They assist the Court in its review of decisions appealed from district courts and federal government agencies, primarily in matters that will be decided by the Court on written submissions only, without oral argument, including all pro se appeals. The staff attorneys’ principal task is preparation of written legal memoranda. The types of matters on which staff attorneys assist include: direct criminal appeals of convictions and sentences imposed under the United States Sentencing Guidelines; collateral attacks on criminal convictions by state and federal prisoners; civil rights actions brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983; and cases involving a variety of other areas of law, such as employment discrimination, tax, bankruptcy, immigration, and Social Security benefits. Staff attorneys play an important role in supporting the federal judiciary’s mission of ensuring equal justice under the law. The Eighth Circuit Staff Attorneys do so by maintaining high standards for the research and written work performed for the Court. While the nature of the work is important and the workload is substantial, the office provides a collegial, collaborative environment.
Qualifications
Applicants must have (1) a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school; (2) membership in good standing in the bar of a state, territorial or federal court of general jurisdiction; (3) at least ten years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, in legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school; (4) excellent academic credentials, and superior analytical, research and writing skills; (5) excellent written and oral communication abilities, and strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to assume and delegate responsibility.
Specialized Experience
In addition to the minimum qualifications, any of the following will enhance a candidate’s suitability for the position: (1) a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural, and interpersonal aspects of managing a complex organization; (2) expertise in federal appellate, civil, and criminal procedure and evidence, and an informed understanding of the processes of constitutional and statutory analysis; and (3) a minimum of three years of federal court experience.
Employee Benefits
The following benefits are available for this position: Health Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance, Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance, Long-term Care Insurance, Flexible Benefits Program (health and dependent care), Thrift Savings Plan, Federal Employees’ Retirement System, Federal Holidays, Paid Vacation, and Sick Leave.
Miscellaneous
About the Eighth Circuit Staff Attorneys
The Eighth Circuit Staff Attorneys support the Court as a whole rather than individual judges. They assist the Court in its review of decisions appealed from district courts and federal government agencies, primarily in matters that will be decided by the Court on written submissions only, without oral argument, including all pro se appeals. The staff attorneys’ principal task is preparation of written legal memoranda. The types of matters on which staff attorneys assist include: direct criminal appeals of convictions and sentences imposed under the United States Sentencing Guidelines; collateral attacks on criminal convictions by state and federal prisoners; civil rights actions brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983; and cases involving a variety of other areas of law, such as employment discrimination, tax, bankruptcy, immigration, and Social Security benefits. Staff attorneys play an important role in supporting the federal judiciary’s mission of ensuring equal justice under the law. The Eighth Circuit Staff Attorneys do so by maintaining high standards for the research and written work performed for the Court. While the nature of the work is important and the workload is substantial, the office provides a collegial, collaborative environment.
Application Info
Applications will be considered starting March 9, 2026.
Qualified applicants must submit each of the following to be considered:
- A detailed cover letter
- A detailed resume outlining education background, and employment and salary history
- Law school transcript
- Self-edited writing sample of no more than five pages
- Contact information for three professional references
Submit materials to: ce8employment1@ca8.uscourts.gov
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The court reserves the right to amend or withdraw the job announcement without written notice to applicants.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.