Appellate Court Research Attorney

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Medical Insurance

Vacation Leave

Job summary

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts is seeking an appellate court research attorney for the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court. The role focuses on legal research, writing, and drafting orders and memoranda for matters before the First District.

Candidates must graduate from an ABA-accredited law school with excellent research and writing skills; practicing attorneys and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Criminal law experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an ABA-accredited law school with excellent research, case analysis and writing skills.
• Practicing attorneys and recent graduates encouraged to apply; criminal law experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze law on issues raised by parties.
• Draft memoranda, orders, and other legal documents for the First District.
• Review petitions for rehearing on assigned cases as needed.
• Confer with justices, law clerks, and research division staff on assignments and analysis.
• Study current legal publications and recent court decisions; review legislation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal Research

Legal Writing

Criminal Law

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Appellate Court Research Attorney | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

• Posted Date
  10/22/26
• Closing Date
  No later than December 1, 2026
• Benefits
  An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, deferred compensation options, as well as vacation, sick and personal leave. Please refer to the following Benefits Information Sheet for additional details.
• Reporting Relationship: Legal Research Director and Senior Attorneys

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The First District of the Illinois Appellate Court’s Legal Research Division is seeking new graduates and experienced attorneys with a passion for legal writing and a strong interest in appellate and criminal law for the position of appellate court research attorney. The appellate court research attorneys provide crucial assistance to the justices of the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court. Responsibilities in general include researching and analyzing applicable law, and preparing draft orders and other legal documents, in matters before the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court.

FUNCTIONS INCLUDE

• Research and analyze law on issues raised by parties.
• Read and examine briefs and appellate records, verify the existence of appellate jurisdiction, and determine applicable law.
• Draft proposed memoranda, orders, and other legal documents for the First District.
• Review petitions for rehearing on assigned cases as needed.
• Confer with justices, law clerks, and research division staff on assignments and corresponding analysis as needed.
• Study current legal publications, recent decisions of the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, and other relevant state and federal cases, and review recent legislation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Candidates must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and possess excellent research, case analysis, and writing skills. Practicing attorneys and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Criminal law experience is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment requiring telephone and computer usage and the ability to process written and electronic documents.