Appellate Court Research Attorney

Illinois Courts; Mount Vernon (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Medical insurance

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Deferred compensation

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Personal leave

Job summary

The Fifth District Appellate Court in Mt. Vernon, IL is seeking new graduates and experienced attorneys for the position of Appellate Court Research Attorney. This full-time, in-person role provides essential research, analysis, and writing support to the Justices.

Remote work is possible for Illinois residents with prior appellate court research attorney or clerkship experience. Candidates must hold a ABA-accredited law degree and demonstrate strong research, writing, and IT skills.

Qualifications

• ABA-accredited law degree required; strong research, analytical, and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze issues raised by the parties on appeal.
• Review briefs and appellate records, verify jurisdiction and research applicable law.
• Draft proposed dispositions, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Confer with Justices, Law Clerks, and other Research Attorneys on assignments and analysis.
• Make recommendations to the Research Director and Justices.
• Edit final-draft orders, opinions, and dissents.
• Remain current on Illinois Supreme and Appellate Court opinions.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Case management software

Job description

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

• Posted Date
  09/16/26
• Closing Date
  This position will remain open until filled.
• 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

DESCRIPTION

The Fifth District Appellate Court is seeking new graduates and experienced attorneys with a passion for legal writing and a strong interest in appellate law for the position of Appellate Court Research Attorney. A Fifth District Research Attorney provides necessary and valuable assistance to the Justices of the Fifth District Appellate Court. Please note, this is a full-time in-person position located at the Fifth District Courthouse in Mt. Vernon, IL. Remote work is possible for Illinois residents with prior Illinois appellate court research attorney or Illinois appellate/supreme court clerking experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The Appellate Court Research Attorney performs legal research, analysis, and writing and reviews and assists in the drafting of judicial orders, opinions, and other legal documents for the Justices in matters before the Fifth District Appellate Court.

FUNCTIONS INCLUDE

• Analyze issues raised by the parties on appeal.
• Review briefs and appellate records, verify appellate jurisdiction, and research applicable law.
• Draft proposed dispositions, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Confer on a regular basis with Justices, Law Clerks, and other Appellate Court
  Research Attorneys on assignments and corresponding analysis.
• Make recommendations to the Research Director and Justices.
• Edit final draft orders, opinions, dissents, and special concurrences.
• Remain current on recent opinions of the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, other relevant state and federal cases.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Candidates must be graduates of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association. Candidates must possess superior research, analytical, and writing skills. Candidates must have strong information technology skills including proficiency with commonly used office software such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Acrobat. Competence in the use of web-based case management software and the ability to perform electronic legal research is also required. Practicing attorneys and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

This position will remain open until filled.