Pro Se Staff Attorney

United-States-District-Court; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 91,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States District Court for the District of Arizona seeks a pro se staff attorney to review, research, and draft documents in prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus cases. Under supervision, you will prepare memoranda and proposed orders for the district judges to whom cases are assigned.

Candidates should have a law degree and bar membership; the role emphasizes strong legal research, writing skills, and docket management.

Qualifications

• Must be a law school graduate with exceptional academic standing or equivalent.
• Bar membership in good standing is preferred.
• Strong analytical and editorial abilities are required.

Responsibilities

• Perform substantive review, research, and writing in prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus cases.
• Prepare memoranda and proposed orders for district judges.
• Screen petitions and pleadings to determine issues and relief.
• Research law developments and advise on policy changes.
• Contribute to periodic reports and case status communications.

Skills

Legal research

Writing clarity

Independence

Education

J.D. from ABA/AAALS-approved law school

Bar membership in state/federal court

LL.M. degree (optional)

Job description

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

A pro se staff attorney performs duties and responsibilities such as the following:

• 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.

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.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the court may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without posting the position.

Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Employees of the U.S. District Court serve under Excepted Appointments and are considered at will employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause). Federal Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to substantially the same benefits as other Federal Government employees.

The initial appointment to this position is provisional pending the successful completion of the required background checks and/or investigations.

The U.S. District Court is a drug‑free workplace and the applicant selected will be required to participate in a drug screening test prior to employment.

All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non‑selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.

Participation in the interview process will be at the applicants own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided.

All promotions are subject to the approval of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

The position is subject to the mandatory electronic fund transfer (EFT) participation for payment of net pay (i.e. Direct Deposit).

Non‑citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, this means that an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship as explained below. Under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.

The United States District Court for the District of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity Employer.