Attorney

pacourts; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits program

Paid holidays and vacation

Telework after training

Job summary

Superior Court of Pennsylvania’s Central Legal Staff seeks an attorney with strong research and writing skills to handle civil and criminal matters. The role supports judges and chambers across the state and requires independent and collaborative work, with hybrid telework eligibility after six months.

The position offers a robust benefits package, paid holidays and vacation, and opportunities for salary growth and loan forgiveness plans.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school and active admission to the Pennsylvania bar.
• 3–5 years' experience in appellate law or appellate work.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania Civil and Criminal Procedure rules.

Responsibilities

• Review dockets, briefs, records, and petitions on appeal.
• Draft memoranda, opinions, and recommendations for review.
• Research legal issues presented on appeal and prepare bench memos.
• Work with Judges and chambers to resolve civil and criminal matters.
• Support Central Legal Staff in various attorney functions as required.
• Edit and revise team members' work to ensure accuracy.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Appellate law

Rules and procedures

Microsoft Office

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

This position requires exceptional legal research and writing skills for work performed with the Superior Court of Pennsylvania's Central Legal Staff. This individual must possess the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a statewide team, with the ability to consistently meet deadlines. The attorney will handle matters relating to civil and criminal law and work closely with various judicial chambers and Judges. The primary location for this position will be in Harrisburg, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh with eligibility to telework on a hybrid work schedule after the first 6 months of employment.

Job Highlights

• Excellent benefits program, including comprehensive, low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans for employees and eligible family members beginning on the first day of employment.
• 13 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days, and 12+ paid vacation days per year.
• Salary increases, student loan forgiveness plans, employee assistance programs, and State retirement plans.
• Healthcare flexible spending account.
• 6 weeks paid parental leave for eligible employees.
• Telework may be available up to 2 days per week after training.

Typical Duties

• Re v i ew d o c k e t i n g s t a t e m e n t s , m o t i o n s ( s t an d a r d and e m e r g en c y ), o p i n i o n s c i r c u l a t i n g i n S u p e r i or C o u rt , and c e r ti f i ed r e c ord s .
• Review appellate briefs, certified records, and court dockets.
• Research legal and procedural issues presented on appeal.
• Draft memoranda, opinions, orders, and bench memos as assigned.
• Conduct comprehensive review of trial court dockets t o d e t e rm i ne n o t o n l y i f a ny j u r i s d i ct i o n a l i s sues ex i s t , b u t a ny o t h e r pro b l e m s t h a t r eq u i r e a tt e n t i on p ri or t o l i s t i ng t he a p p eal before a m e ri t s pa n e l .
• Re v i ew petitions for permission to appeal and prepare memoranda and recommendations f or r e v i ew and v o t es by M o t i o n s P a ne l .
• Prepa r e su mm a r i e s , recommendations, and d r a f t orde r s f or r e v i ew by M o t i o n s J u d ge.
• Prepa r e su mm a r i e s, r e c om m e n d a t i o n s, a n d d r aft or d e r s f or r e v i ew and v o t es by M o t i o n s P a ne l .
• Ass i st in r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s r e q u e s t e d of C e n t r al L e g al S t af f .
• W o r k d i r e c t l y w i t h Jud g es a n d ch a m bers of t he S u p e r i or C o urt t o r e s o l v e v a r i o u s m a tt e r s i n v o l ving c i vi l and criminal c ase s .
• Ass i st in e d i t i n g team m e m bers' wo rk .
• Ass i st in v a r i o u s a t t orney fu n ct i o n s i n t he r e l e v ant off i c e, i n cl u d i n g , b u t n ot li mi t ed t o, w o rk i ng w i t h S u p e r i or C o urt Pro t h o n o t ar y ' s offi c e t o r es o l v e i s s u e s pe rt a i n i n g to app e al d o c k e t .
• Per f orm r e l a t ed w o r k as r eq u ir ed.

Minimum Qualifications

• J. D. f r o m A B A - a cc r e di te d l a w s ch o ol.
• 3-5 years' experience as an appellate law clerk.
• Admi t t e d to and in active standing with t he p rac ti ce o f la w b e f o r e t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t o f Pe n n s y l v a ni a .

Starting Salary Range- $81,000-$91,000 (maximum salary is $101,209).

Additional Qualifications / Preferences

• Fa mi lia ri t y w i th P e n n sy l v a n i a R u le s o f A p p e lla te P r o c e d u r e and P e n n s y l v a ni a R ul e s of C i v i l and Criminal P r o c e d u r e .
• P r o f i c i e n c y w i th Micr o s o f t O ff i c e a p pl i c a t i ons ( Wo r d, E x c e l , a n d Ou tl o o k )
• A b ili ty to ma i nt ai n a h i gh l e ve l of i n t e g ri t y in the p e r f o r mance of job d ut i e s .
• S a t i sf a c t o r y c rimin a l b a c k g r ou n d c h e ck r e q u i red.