Pro Se Staff Attorney

U.S. District Court; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 91,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. District Court in Phoenix, AZ seeks a staff attorney to perform substantive review, research, and writing in prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus cases. The role involves preparing memoranda and proposed orders for several district judges.

The successful candidate will have a law degree and bar admission, with strong legal research and writing skills. Salary ranges from $91,205 to $171,043, with starting salary dependent on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Law degree required or equivalent.
• Standing within the upper third of law school class for ABA/AALS approved schools or equivalent.
• Bar membership in a state, territory, or federal court required for JSP-12 and above.

Responsibilities

• Screen prisoner, inmate, detainee petitions and motions; draft recommendations and orders.
• Review complaints and pleadings to identify issues and relief.
• Perform legal research to assist in opinions.
• Track docket and advise Court on appropriate actions.
• Compile statistics and prepare status reports.
• Stay current with changes in law affecting pro se cases.
• Provide information and guidance to judges and staff on prisoner litigation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical thinking

Education

J.D. or equivalent

LL.M. (optional)

Job description

Introduction and Representative Duties

Position Type: Full Time, Regular

Salary Range: $91,205 – $171,043 Starting salary depends on qualifications and experience

Job Grade: JS 12 – 14

Open Date: 09/11/2026

Closing Date: Open until filled Preference given to applications received by 10/09/2026

Location: Phoenix or Tucson, Arizona

POSITION OVERVIEW

The staff attorney selected for this position will be supervised by the Supervisory Staff Attorney and will perform substantive review, research, and writing in prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus cases. The staff attorney will be responsible for preparing memoranda and proposed orders for each of the district judges to whom the cases have been assigned.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Provides substantive screening after filing of all prisoner, inmate, and detainee petitions and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints. Drafts appropriate recommendation and order for the Court’s signature.
• Reviews all complaints, petitions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief.
• Performs research, as required, to assist the Court in preparing opinions.
• Evaluates present procedures to determine new innovations for handling complaints, petitions, and pleadings. Reviews the docket of pending prisoner, inmate, and detainee litigation to ensure the proper progress of such cases and advises the Court of those cases where action by the Court is appropriate.
• Compiles statistics and prepares periodic reports, as required, that reflect the status and flow of cases. Identifies problem areas, makes recommendations, and offers solutions, as required by the Court, Administrative Office, and other officials.
• Keeps abreast of changes in the law to aid the Court in adjusting to new legislation in the pro se area.
• Provides information, guidance, and advice to judges, magistrate judges, Clerk’s Office staff, and other personnel working on prisoner litigation. Advises appropriate personnel on the status of particular cases.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Occupational Information

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for the position of pro se staff attorney, an individual must be a law school graduate from a law school of recognized standing, and have demonstrated one of the following accomplishments or proficiencies:

• Standing within the upper third of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools.
• Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such school.
• Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, equivalent to one of the above. Some examples of potentially acceptable equivalents include:
  • Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
  • Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
  • Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
  • Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school;* or
  • Summer experience as a law clerk to a state or local judge or law clerk experience on a continuing basis in a private firm while attending school (i.e., working one’s way through college).*

*In order to receive credit, participation and experience could not have been for academic credit.

Legal Work Experience:

Legal work experience is progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, in legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Major or substantial legal activities while in military service may be credited, on a month-for-month basis whether before or after graduation, but not to exceed one year if before graduation.

Appointment to JSP-12 or above requires that the candidate be a member of the bar of a state, territory, or federal court of general jurisdiction. Active bar membership is preferred for this position.

The table below shows the number of years of legal work experience required to qualify for appointment as a pro se staff attorney at the applicable JSP grade level.

JSP Grade Level

Years of Legal Work Experience

Bar Membership Required

• 12
• 1
• Yes

• 13
• 2
• Yes

• 14
• 3
• Yes

SELECTION PROCESS

The following factors will be used to select the best qualified candidates for interview. Respond to these factors and submit your response with the required documents listed in the How-To-Apply section. Identify each response by using the factor number.

1. Experience in planning and organizing work, establishing priorities, and working independently. Cit specific examples of such experience, including the level of responsibility, degree of independence, methodology employed, and results achieved.
2. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and informatively in writing. Submit a copy of a recent report, analysis, legal document, or business correspondence you have prepared.
3. Experience in reviewing documents and extracting data. Cite examples of this experience indicating the type of documents reviewed, and the level of responsibility.