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Appellate Attorney Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Assistant District Attorney

Geneseo, NY · On-site

$85K - $102K/yr

Handles appeals by preparing brief, appendix and trial record, preparing response to defendant ... Assistant District Attorney (6) - E in County service Supplemental Information NOTE: Livingston ...

Assistant District Attorney

Geneseo, NY · On-site

$85K - $102K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • PTO

District Attorney/DA Administration Opening Date: 03/19/2026 Closing Date: 9/20/2026 11:59 PM ... Handles appeals by preparing brief, appendix and trial record, preparing response to defendant ...

Litigation Attorney - Remote

Rochester, NY · On-site +1

$90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... high-level attorneys. The position requires a litigator capable of handling a wide array of ... motions, appeals and evidentiary hearings. Responsibilities * Drafting of motions, briefs, and ...

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Appellate Attorney information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$49.3K

$119.2K

$189.9K

How much do appellate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for appellate attorney in Rochester, NY is $119,205.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,700.00 and $136,700.00 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.

What job categories do people searching Appellate Attorney jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Appellate Attorney jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Appellate Attorney jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Appellate Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Appellate Attorney job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 85% In-person, 10% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,205 per year, or $57.3 per hour.

Public Defender Assistant Grade I

Monroe County, NY

Rochester, NY • On-site

$86K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Monroe County (New York) rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

595th of 845 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Location: Rochester, NY
Title: Public Defender Assistant Grade I
Deadline: Until Filled
Salary: $86,748 - $120,080 annually
Agency/Dept.: Public Defender's Office
Description of Duties
This is an Appellate Attorney position, located at the Monroe County Public Defender's Office, responsible for high quality legal representation of indigent defendants entitled to public defense. This position requires the ability to research legal issues, prepare cases for appellate review and argument. Employees works under the general supervision of a Special Assistant Public Defender or other higher level staff member. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class. Does related work as required.
Minimum Qualifications
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
  1. The Public Defender Assistant Grade I shall be an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of New York and admitted to practice in all courts within the scope of the plan.
  2. The Public Defender Assistant Grade I must have an ability to work with the judges, lawyers, court administrators, other persons within the court system, and court officials.
  3. The Public Defender Assistant Grade I shall have a commitment to providing high quality defense to clients.

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