Circuit Mediator

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Hybrid telework

Transit subsidy

Health insurance

Pension plan / 401k

Job summary

The U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, seeks experienced mediators to oversee civil and appellate settlements, including rights, IP, contracts and environmental matters. You will manage negotiations, draft orders, and educate practitioners about the mediation program.

Ideal candidates have a JD, extensive litigation experience, and a proven ability to communicate clearly, synthesize complex issues, and handle sensitive situations with discretion and empathy.

Qualifications

• Be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, at the highest professional level.
• Superior analytical skills to quickly synthesize complex legal and business issues.
• Strong emotional intelligence and empathy, including excellent listening skills.
• Relate effectively to a broad array of people and manage conflict.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment and discretion; work independently in a court environment.
• Responsiveness, reliability and flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate settlement discussions among parties and counsel.
• Devise settlement processes that meet participants' needs.
• Coordinate in-person, video or telephonic mediations as appropriate.
• Draft orders and educate the bar about the court's mediation program.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Emotional intelligence

Interpersonal skills

Judgment & discretion

Reliability & flexibility

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-approved)

Job description

$147,932 - $197,200 (CL 31)*

$173,504 - $209,600 (CL 32)*

San Francisco, CA

Please submit applications by October 9, 2026

Position Overview

The Circuit Mediation Office is staffed by a Chief Circuit Mediator and six Circuit Mediators. The mediators facilitate settlement discussions among parties and their counsel in a wide range of civil cases, including civil rights, tribal, employment, intellectual property, insurance, contracts and environmental matters.

Mediators begin the process by conducting conference calls with counsel to explore settlement potential. If the parties are interested in working to resolve the dispute, the mediators help devise a settlement process that meets the distinct needs of the participants in that case. For instance, in some cases a formal mediation is conducted either in-person at a mutually agreeable location within the Ninth Circuit, or by video conference. In other cases, the settlement work may be conducted by telephone, email or a combination of these methods, and may continue for several months. Whatever settlement process is employed, the mediators facilitate negotiations, manage conflict, and promote the parties' understanding of the legal, practical, personal and financial ramifications of litigation. Additionally, mediators assist parties with procedural matters, draft orders and educate the bar about the court's mediation program.

The mediators are supported by the collegiality and rich experience of their fellow mediators and the dedicated support staff of the Circuit Mediation Office.

Position Qualifications

• Be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, at the highest professional level.
• Possess superior analytical skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize complex legal and business issues as well as interpersonal dynamics.
• Possess strong emotional intelligence and empathy, including excellent listening skills.
• Be able to relate effectively to a broad array of people, including those with different temperaments, occupations and life experiences. The applicant should be comfortable managing conflict and working with parties who may be intensely emotional.
• Demonstrate the capacity to exercise excellent judgment and discretion and to work independently in a collaborative court environment.
• Demonstrate responsiveness, reliability and flexibility.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved law school.
• Admission to practice before the highest court of any American state, commonwealth, territory, or possession.
• At least six years of post-law school experience, ten years or more preferred, a substantial portion of which must have involved litigation or appellate work, preferably in federal courts.
• Mediation experience and formal mediation training strongly preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of civil litigation and the federal rules of civil and appellate procedure.

Total Rewards and Work-Life Balance

• Salary: Depending on qualifications and salary* $147,932 - $209,600 (CL 31- CL32)
• Time off: 13 days of paid vacation for the first three years, increasing with tenure thereafter, 13 sick days accrued per year, 11 paid holidays.
• Benefits: Employer subsidized health and life insurance plans. Dental, vision, flexible spending account, long-term care plans available. Employer sponsored pension plan and optional employer-matching plan (similar to a 401k).
• Other Perks: Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; hybrid telework opportunities; and reasonable work hours.

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay required.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including, but not limited to, budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

Position open until filled.

Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

Equal Focused Employer

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The 9th Circuit encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.