Job Details for Career Staff Attorney
| Court Name/Organization | Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals |
| Overview of the Position | The career staff attorney is a permanent position rather than a term position and reports directly to the Deputy Senior Staff Attorney. The career staff attorney independently conducts legal research; reviews case records/filings; drafts proposed opinions, memoranda, and orders; and provides objective advice to judges, chambers, and court staff. The incumbent also mentors and works with less experienced term staff attorneys in conjunction with members of the supervisory team, assists with coordinating orientation and training as needed, and tracks developing legal issues. |
| Location | Atlanta, GA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 08/21/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Salary | $90,036 - $146,336 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/human-resources-department |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
About the Staff Attorney's Office
The Eleventh Circuit’s Staff Attorney’s Office serves the Court as a central legal staff, assisting it in the disposition of federal appeals through the preparation of legal memoranda. The Staff Attorney’s Office is currently made up of attorneys, including career staff attorneys and staff attorneys who serve staggered two-year terms, as well as administrative professionals who perform administrative, operational, and supervisory functions. Staff attorneys review case records and filings, conduct legal research, and draft bench memoranda and proposed opinions to assist the judges in the consideration and resolution of a wide variety of cases on appeal. Staff Attorneys develop expertise in civil and criminal procedure and in various areas of substantive law, including criminal, sentencing, immigration, employment discrimination, civil rights, habeas corpus, and Social Security. Additionally, a specialized team within the office assists the Court in the initial review of all appeals for the purpose of determining appellate jurisdiction. Another specialized team presents substantive motions to the Court, including motions for in forma pauperis status, certificates of appealability, transcripts at government expense, and withdrawal/substitution of counsel. Finally, our special appellate matters unit handles special projects from the Court and tracks legal issues as they develop in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Eleventh Circuit.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor from a law school of recognized standing and have excellent academic credentials. Applicants also must have superior analytical, research, writing, and editing skills, with law review or equivalent legal research and writing experience. At least two years of relevant post-Juris Doctor experience and bar admission are required.
Preferred Qualifications
Staff Attorney or judicial law clerk experience with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is preferred.
Employee Benefits
Developmental Starting Salary Range: $90,036 - $111,618 (CL 29/1 - CL 29/24)
Full Performance Starting Salary Range: $112,556- $146,336 (CL 29/25 - CL 29/61)
Application Info
Qualified individuals must submit all of the following to be considered:
- A cover letter detailing how their experience relates to the position requirements
- A completed AO 78 form Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment | United States Courts (uscourts.gov)
- A detailed resume, including final law school class rank and/or percentile or brief explanation as to why this information is unavailable
- Law school transcript
- Self-edited writing sample
- List of at least three professional references
Candidate may apply in three ways:
1. Through the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR)
2. Via email to: sao_hiring@CA11.uscourts.gov (Emailed applications must be submitted as a single PDF document and reference “Career Staff Attorney” in the subject line.)
3. Via regular mail or other delivery service to:
Georgette Thinn, Manager for Recruiting Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Staff Attorney’s Office
56 Forsyth Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2289
Preference will be given to applications received by Sept. 18, 2026.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.