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Appellate Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Law Firm

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Appellate Attorney

Southfield, MI · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Successful and growing law firm seeks a highly skilled Appellate Attorney to join our nationally recognized Appellate Practice Group, ranked Metropolitan Tier 1 and nationally by Best Lawyers for six ...

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Appellate Attorney

Tallahassee, FL

$150K - $185K/yr

Paid Parking Job Details ----- We are seeking a skilled Appellate Attorney. This position offers the opportunity to handle complex appellate matters across a broad range of legal issues, working ...

NJ CURE

Appellate Attorney

Southfield, MI · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Appellate Attorney CURE Auto Insurance is a leading direct writer of auto insurance in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. CURE offers a great working environment, competitive salary, and a ...

Synectics Inc

Appellate Attorney

Port Washington, NY

$150K - $250K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Appellate Attorney (3+ years) to join the Personal Injury & Mass Torts practice. This opportunity offers complex appellate matters, collaboration with seasoned ...

US DEFAULT GROUP INC

Appellate Attorney

Westbury, NY · On-site

$135K - $175K/yr

Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Appellate Attorney to join our Litigation Practice Group . This is a unique opportunity to manage sophisticated, high-impact cases while shaping the ...

Clydeco

Appellate Attorney

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$2.0K/mo

Clyde & Co is seeking a seasoned appellate attorney to support our trial & defense practice in handling matters in federal and state appellate courts and trial courts across the Firm. This practice ...

Clyde and Co LLP

Appellate Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

Clyde & Co is seeking a seasoned appellate attorney to support our trial & defense practice in handling matters in federal and state appellate courts and trial courts across the Firm. This practice ...

Clydeco

Appellate Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$2.0K/mo

Clyde & Co is seeking a seasoned appellate attorney to support our trial & defense practice in handling matters in federal and state appellate courts and trial courts across the Firm. This practice ...

Clydeco

Appellate Attorney

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$2.0K/mo

Clyde & Co is seeking a seasoned appellate attorney to support our trial & defense practice in handling matters in federal and state appellate courts and trial courts across the Firm. This practice ...

Jobot

Appellate Attorney - Dallas, TX

Dallas, TX

$170K - $210K/yr

Our attorneys provide strategic guidance at both the trial and appellate levels, helping clients evaluate appellate exposure, preserve critical issues, and pursue effective post-verdict strategies.

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Appellate Attorney information

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$50K

$120.8K

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How much do appellate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for appellate attorney in the United States is $120,815.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,000.00 and $138,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Appellate Attorney vs Litigation Attorney?

AspectAppellate AttorneyLitigation Attorney
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar admission, appellate specializationJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar admission, trial and litigation experience
Work EnvironmentResearch, legal writing, appellate court proceedingsCourtroom appearances, client interactions, trial preparation
Employer & IndustryLaw firms, government agencies, appellate courtsLaw firms, corporations, government agencies, trial courts

Appellate Attorneys focus on handling appeals, legal research, and writing for appellate courts, while Litigation Attorneys manage trials, client advocacy, and courtroom proceedings. Both roles require legal credentials and are integral to the legal process, but they differ in work environment and specific responsibilities.

What does an appellate attorney do?

An appellate attorney works on cases that are being appealed, or which have received an unfavorable ruling in lower courts. As an appellate attorney, your responsibilities are to research and analyze prior court cases, then draft legal briefs to justify the claim for an appeal. Your duties are to present a court case and persuade a judge to reconsider the ruling of a lower court. As part of the federal or state government, an appellate attorney defends public interest from potentially unfavorable court decisions. Privately, you appeal rulings on behalf of your clients.

What are some common challenges faced by appellate attorneys in managing multiple cases simultaneously?

Appellate attorneys often handle several cases at once, each with its own deadlines and complex legal issues. Balancing the preparation of briefs, oral arguments, and in-depth legal research requires strong organizational skills and careful time management. A key challenge is prioritizing tasks while maintaining the high quality of written arguments, as appeals frequently involve strict procedural rules and detailed analysis. Collaborating with trial attorneys and clients to gather records and clarify factual backgrounds is also essential to building persuasive appeals.

What is an appellate attorney?

An Appellate Attorney is a lawyer who specializes in handling cases on appeal, rather than at trial. Their primary role is to review trial records, identify legal errors, and craft persuasive written briefs to present before appellate courts. They may also deliver oral arguments to judges, advocating for their client's position and seeking to overturn or uphold lower court decisions. Appellate attorneys must possess strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, as their work often involves complex legal issues and precedent. They play a crucial role in shaping the development of the law through appellate court decisions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an appellate attorney?

To thrive as an Appellate Attorney, you need strong legal research, analytical thinking, and written advocacy skills, typically supported by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and bar admission. Familiarity with legal research databases (such as Westlaw or LexisNexis) and experience with electronic filing systems are important technical requirements. Exceptional attention to detail, persuasive communication, and the ability to synthesize complex legal issues are critical soft skills. These competencies are vital for crafting compelling appellate briefs, understanding nuanced legal arguments, and achieving successful outcomes for clients in higher courts.
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Appellate Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Appellate Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 79% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,815 per year, or $58.1 per hour.

Appellate Attorney

Law Firm

Southfield, MI • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

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Job description

Successful and growing law firm seeks a highly skilled Appellate Attorney to join our nationally recognized Appellate Practice Group, ranked Metropolitan Tier 1 and nationally by Best Lawyers for six consecutive years. This is a unique opportunity for attorneys passionate about intellectually rigorous work, persuasive legal writing, and strategic advocacy.


About the Role

Our appellate attorneys handle diverse and complex appeals across a broad range of practice areas, including:

  • Professional liability
  • Insurance coverage
  • Judicial and attorney disciplinary matters
  • Commercial litigation
  • Bankruptcy
  • Product liability
  • General litigation

You will work closely with a collaborative team of seasoned appellate lawyers, and within your first 2–3 years, you can expect to argue multiple cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals. You’ll also participate in advanced legal writing seminars led by leading national experts.


Key Responsibilities

  • Research and analyze complex legal issues
  • Draft compelling appellate briefs, motions, and other submissions
  • Prepare for and present oral arguments in state and federal appellate courts
  • Collaborate with trial counsel on issue preservation and appellate strategy
  • Contribute to the firm’s thought leadership through writing and presentations


Required Qualifications

  • J.D. from an accredited law school
  • Licensed to practice in Michigan (or eligible for admission)
  • Exceptional legal research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills
  • Strong oral advocacy and public speaking abilities
  • Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for challenging legal work
  • Prior appellate litigation experience in state or federal courts


Preferred Qualifications

  • Judicial clerkship (especially appellate-level)
  • Familiarity with multiple practice areas (no single specialty required)
  • Demonstrated ability to distill complex legal issues into concise, persuasive arguments


Company Description

The firm has multiple offices in the US employing the best technology, processes and people, for the express purpose of providing excellent service and results for clients. We would love to consider how we can work together!