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Appellate Attorney Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Raftelis

County Attorney

Orange, VA

... Appeals, the Economic Development Authority, and the Orange County Broadband Authority (dba ... The County Attorney's Office is authorized for a County Attorney, a Senior Assistant County ...

Raftelis

County Attorney

Orange, VA · On-site

... Appeals, the Economic Development Authority, and the Orange County Broadband Authority (dba ... The County Attorney's Office is authorized for a County Attorney, a Senior Assistant County ...

Spokanecounty

Prosecuting Attorney 2

Broadway, VA · On-site

$7.3K - $10K/mo

Prepares briefs and memorandums for appeal proceedings. * Performs other related duties as required/assigned. As an Attorney in the Felony Section: * Signs up new cases and conducts legal research ...

Trueseek

Workers' Compensation Attorney

Fairfax, VA · Remote

$120K - $170K/yr

... Attorney to join a growing team handling sophisticated defense litigation matters. This role is ... Draft pleadings motions briefs discovery responses settlement evaluations and appeals documents ...

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Appellate Attorney information

See Virginia salary details

$49.6K

$119.8K

$190.8K

How much do appellate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for appellate attorney in Virginia is $119,779.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,200.00 and $137,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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 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.

More about Appellate Attorney jobs

What are popular job titles related to Appellate Attorney jobs in Virginia?

For Appellate Attorney jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Appellate Attorney jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Appellate Attorney jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Appellate Attorney jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Appellate Attorney job openings:

Appellate Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Appellate Attorney job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 10% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,779 per year, or $57.6 per hour.

Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Appeals

Virginia Department of Human Resource Management

Richmond, VA • On-site

$73K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority rating

5.2

Company rating: 5.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

825th of 848 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Appeals
Job no: 5108768
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Richmond (City), Virginia
Categories: Law / Judiciary
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Appeals
State Role Title: Assistant Attorney General
Hiring Range: $73,500-$119,700
Pay Band: UG
Agency: Attorney General & Dept of Law
Location: Office of the Attorney General
Agency Website: https://www.oag.state.va.us/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Responsibilities include representing the Commonwealth in criminal appeals in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Virginia. In addition, this attorney will handle habeas corpus and other post-trial litigation at all judicial levels in both state and federal courts. Some overnight travel will be required. Duties also include advice and assistance on other matters related to criminal law and procedure, including legislative issues before the Virginia General Assembly.
Minimum Qualifications
The candidate should have a good academic record, as well as demonstrated excellent legal writing, research and oral communication skills, and possess superior analytical ability, objectivity and maturity of judgment.
At least one year of experience as a licensed attorney is required and one to three years of judicial law clerk, trial or appellate experience is highly desirable.
Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and be admitted to the Virginia State Bar or eligible for admission.
Additional Considerations
N/A
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
The following application materials are required:
Cover Letter
Resume
Writing Sample
Law School Transcript (REQUIRED FOR ATTORNEY CANDIDATES WITH LESS THAN FIVE (5) YEARS OF PRACTICE EXPERIENCE).
Kindly utilize the Virginia Jobs website (https://www.jobs.virginia.gov) to submit your application. Applications sent to the Recruitment email address will not be reviewed for the hiring process. We do not entertain phone calls or emails inquiring about application status; instead, please login to the PageUp/RMS system for updates on your application's status.
Contact Information
Name: OAG Recruitment
Phone: 804-786-2071
Email: recruitment@oag.state.va.us
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 03 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
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