Appellate Court Research Attorney

Women's Bar Association Of Illinois; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Deferred compensation

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Personal leave

Job summary

The First District, Illinois Appellate Court seeks an Appellate Court Research Attorney. The role supports justices with legal research, drafting orders, and analyzing appellate issues in criminal and related matters.

Applicants should have an ABA-accredited law degree, superior research and writing skills, and an interest in appellate law; practicing attorneys and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• ABA-accredited law degree required and strong research, case analysis, and writing skills.
• Practicing attorneys and recent graduates encouraged to apply.
• Criminal law experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze applicable law on issues raised by parties.
• Read briefs and appellate records; verify jurisdiction and applicable law.
• Draft memoranda, orders, and other legal documents for the First District.
• Review petitions for rehearing on assigned cases as needed.
• Consult with justices, law clerks, and staff on assignments and analysis.
• Monitor current legal publications and recent decisions; review relevant legislation.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting memoranda

Legal writing

Appellate law

Criminal law

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Tools

Westlaw

LexisNexis

Job description

APPELLATE COURT RESEARCH ATTORNEY
First District, Illinois Appellate Court

160 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60601

Applicants may be required to submit additional materials and/or complete job-specific tests for the position.

Position: Appellate Court Research Attorney

Division: First District, Illinois Appellate Court – Legal Research Division

Benefits: An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and deferred compensation options, as well as vacation, sick, and personal leave. Please refer to the following Benefits Information Sheet for additional details.

Salary: $85,199

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER