Staff Attorney

United States Courts; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Courts in Missouri seeks a Staff Attorney to perform substantive legal and procedure reviews of prisoner civil litigation and pro se matters. The role supports district and magistrate judges, handles habeas petitions, and screens cases for initial processing and post-judgment monitoring.

The position requires a law degree, strong research/writing skills, and the ability to manage complex dockets with professional communication and organizational discipline.

Qualifications

• Must be a law school graduate (or awaiting degree conferment).
• Bar membership is preferred; legal work experience in court is advantageous.
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues and research accurately and expeditiously.

Responsibilities

• Screen and review prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus petitions at filing.
• Monitor cases, draft orders, and assist judges with legal screening and motions.
• Manage pro se cases, including constitutional issues, from inception to continuation.
• Provide information to judges and staff on issues unique to pro se litigation.
• Stay current with changes in law affecting pro se cases and habeas practice.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Case management

Pro se litigation

Civil rights law

Federal procedure

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

Overview of the Position Under the appointing authority of the Chief District Judge, and management of the assigned District Judge, the Staff Attorney is a member of the Staff Attorney Unit and reports to the Supervisory Staff Attorney. Generally, the Staff Attorney carries a caseload performing substantive legal and procedural review of prisoner civil litigation, instituted with or without an attorney, including state and federal prisoner habeas corpus petitions and civil rights complaints, and non-prisoner cases as assigned, and assists judges regarding substantive legal screening of submissions, handling pro se cases from inception, including constitutional cases. The Eastern District of Missouri currently consists of twenty-one authorized judicial officers and has divisional offices in St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, and Hannibal, Missouri. Travel within the district may be required. This position is onsite with some telework. Each member of the Staff Attorney Unit works directly for an assigned team of district and magistrate judges.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prisoner § 1983 cases - upon the initial filing of a complaint, screens and reviews documents, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) or 28 U.S.C. § 1915A.
• Cases dismissed prior to service of process - continues to monitor case and makes recommendations on post-judgment motions.
• Cases where process is issued on a defendant and counsel is not appointed - engages in case management until the case management order (CMO) is entered. Monitors docket to determine whether service has been completed and defendants have filed timely responsive pleadings. Prepares orders on all motions filed prior to issuance of the CMO, e.g., motions to dismiss, motions for appointment of counsel, etc. Prepares CMO when appropriate. Case duties cease after CMO is entered. Sends appropriate emails to all chambers and team personnel notifying them pro se law clerk duties have ended and case is transferred to chambers for all further proceedings.
• § 2254, § 2255, and § 2241 cases - upon the initial filing of a petition/motion to vacate, screens and reviews documents, pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Habeas Corpus Cases. Following initial review and determination of IFP status, prepares a CMO, order of dismissal, or other appropriate orders, e.g., order of transfer, order to show cause, etc. If a CMO is not issued, continues to monitor case and make recommendations on subsequent filings. All case duties cease after CMO is issued.
• Non-prisoner, pro se IFP cases, including cases filed by civil detainees - upon the initial filing of a complaint, screens and reviews documents, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).
• Cases dismissed prior to service of process - continues to monitor case and makes recommendations on post-judgment motions. Case duties cease upon the entry of an order issuing process.
• Special project to work on motions for relief e.g., First Step Act, Retroactive application of Guidelines, etc.
• Reviews motions to proceed IFP and makes recommendations pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b).
• Provides information to judges and other court staff on legal issues unique to pro se cases, and advises Clerk of Court on miscellaneous legal matters.
• Evaluates present procedures to determine new innovations for increasing the effectiveness in handling complaints, petitions, and pleadings.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Staff Attorney, an individual must be a law school graduate (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing.

The number of years of legal work experience possessed, as well as bar membership, impacts salary. Prior work experience in a court as well as knowledge of civil rights and habeas corpus law and federal procedure are preferred.

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 before graduation.

Candidates must be able to analyze complex legal issues and comprehend a wide range of legal concepts, principles and practices as they relate to pro se litigation, as well as be able to write and perform legal research accurately and expeditiously. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, possess excellent interpersonal skills, strong organizational skills, a positive attitude, the ability to communicate complex issues in simple terms with a professional demeanor, and the ability to manage priorities.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Appointment is contingent upon providing proof of U.S. citizenship, for requirements please see our website.

Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Applicants may be asked to participate in proficiency tests.

• Contact information for three professional references

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.