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Appellate Court Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lewis Brisbois

Appellate Attorney

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$135K - $220K/yr

The attorneys who comprise Lewis Brisbois' national Appellate Practice handle matters in federal and state courts coast-to-coast, including in the Supreme Court of the United States. These ...

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Appellate Court Attorney information

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$50K

$120.8K

$192.5K

How much do appellate court attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for appellate court 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 does an appellate court attorney do?

An Appellate Court Attorney is a legal professional who assists appellate judges by researching legal issues, drafting opinions, and analyzing briefs submitted by parties in appellate cases. They review records from lower court proceedings, evaluate legal arguments, and provide recommendations to judges on how to resolve complex legal questions. Their work is critical in ensuring that appeals are decided based on thorough legal analysis and established precedents.

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

Appellate Court Attorneys often juggle a high volume of cases, each with strict filing deadlines and complex legal issues. Balancing in-depth legal research, drafting persuasive briefs, and preparing for oral arguments can be demanding, especially when cases involve diverse areas of law. Staying organized, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining clear communication with judges, colleagues, and court staff are essential for managing workload efficiently. Developing strong time management skills and leveraging case management tools can help attorneys meet deadlines and uphold the high standards expected in appellate practice.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an appellate court attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Appellate Court Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD), a strong background in legal research and writing, and admission to the bar. Expertise with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as familiarity with appellate procedure and citation formats, is typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, attention to detail, and persuasive written communication are vital soft skills. These abilities are crucial for crafting compelling arguments, interpreting complex legal issues, and ensuring successful outcomes in appellate cases.

What is the difference between Appellate Court Attorney vs Public Defender?

AspectAppellate Court AttorneyPublic Defender
CredentialsJuris Doctor, bar admission, appellate law experienceJuris Doctor, bar admission, criminal law experience
Work EnvironmentCourts, law firms, government agenciesPublic defender offices, courts
Employer & IndustryJudicial system, government, law firmsGovernment, criminal defense

Appellate Court Attorneys focus on handling appeals and legal research in appellate courts, often working on complex legal issues. Public Defenders represent indigent clients in criminal cases, providing defense at trial and sometimes on appeal. While both roles require legal expertise and courtroom experience, Appellate Court Attorneys specialize in appellate law, whereas Public Defenders work primarily in criminal defense at the trial level.

What cities are hiring for Appellate Court Attorney jobs?

Cities with the most Appellate Court Attorney job openings:

What states have the most Appellate Court Attorney jobs?

States with the most job openings for Appellate Court Attorney jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Appellate Court Attorney jobs?

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

Appellate Court Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Appellate Court Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,815 per year, or $58.1 per hour.

Appellate Court Research Attorney

Chicago, IL • On-site

Illinois Courts
See more jobs at Illinois Courtsexternal

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Appellate Court Research Attorney | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts
  • Posted Date
    08/04/26
  • Closing Date
    No later than Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
  • Benefits
    An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, deferred compensation options, as well as vacation, sick and personal leave. Please refer to the following Benefits Information Sheet for additional details.
  • Reporting Relationship: Legal Research Director and Senior Attorneys
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The First District of the Illinois Appellate Court’s Legal Research Division is seeking new graduates and experienced attorneys with a passion for legal writing and a strong interest in appellate and criminal law for the position of appellate court research attorney. The appellate court research attorneys provide crucial assistance to the justices of the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court. Responsibilities in general include researching and analyzing applicable law, and preparing draft orders and other legal documents, in matters before the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court.

FUNCTIONS INCLUDE
  • Research and analyze law on issues raised by parties.
  • Read and examine briefs and appellate records, verify the existence of appellate jurisdiction, and determine applicable law.
  • Draft proposed memoranda, orders, and other legal documents for the First District.
  • Review petitions for rehearing on assigned cases as needed.
  • Confer with justices, law clerks, and research division staff on assignments and corresponding analysis as needed.
  • Study current legal publications, recent decisions of the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, and other relevant state and federal cases, and review recent legislation.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Candidates must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and possess excellent research, case analysis, and writing skills. Practicing attorneys and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Criminal law experience is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment requiring telephone and computer usage and the ability to process written and electronic documents.

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