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Appellate Court Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$260K - $390K/yr

Orrick attorneys have successfully briefed and argued hundreds of appeals in courts at every level, including the U.S. Supreme Court, every federal court of appeals, and numerous state courts. Our ...

... appellate courts. With over fifty years of combined litigation experience, our team has earned a ... The Associate Attorney will work closely with our team of seasoned lawyers and will play a crucial ...

Focus on sophisticated civil appeals in Texas state and federal courts * Work directly with experienced trial and appellate attorneys * Handle substantial brief writing, legal analysis, and oral ...

Attorney - Appeals Unit

Pittsfield, MA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

... Court attorneys in the prosecution of homicides or other major felonies. • Will work under the direction of the Appellate Chief Qualifications: Job Qualifications: • JD from accredited law school ...

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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 11, 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:

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.

Supreme Court & Appellate Associate

On-site

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Law Firms • 1 - 5K employees

$260K - $390K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Briefs and argues appeals in courts at every level, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal and state courts.

  • Participates in key motions and issue preservation at the trial court level as part of the appellate practice.

  • Contributes to the preparation and development of appellate cases, including legal research and writing.


Job description

Overview

Orrick has one of the nation’s leading appellate practices. Orrick attorneys have successfully briefed and argued hundreds of appeals in courts at every level, including the U.S. Supreme Court, every federal court of appeals, and numerous state courts. Our deep bench of appellate talent is one of the finest in the country, with former Supreme Court and court of appeals clerks, appellate counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, leaders in the legal non-profit sector, and law school faculty. We are also recognized by the leading global legal directories — Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US — and have become a destination for bet‑the‑company and industry‑changing appeals.

We are actively recruiting candidates for an associate position with our nationwide Supreme Court & Appellate practice. We are looking for candidates who have both an uncompromising dedication to excellence and a desire to work on the highest profile cases in a collegial, informal, diverse, and team-oriented environment. Our appellate practice includes a busy docket of bet‑the‑company and industry‑changing appeals as well as a market leading “appellate eyes at trial” practice focusing on key motions and issue preservation at the trial court level.

Qualifications
  • Must possess excellent legal research, writing, and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience as a judicial clerk, preferably for a federal or state appellate court.
  • A completed JD from an accredited law school required.
  • Excellent academic credentials required.
  • Highly motivated and proactive.
  • The candidate must possess strong academic credentials, excellent legal research and superb writing and oral communications skills, strong interpersonal skills and is a team player.
  • Membership in the State Bar of the office where you wish to be based (or ability to become admitted promptly).
Why Orrick:

At our core, we value collegiality among our lawyers and strive to make our practices both professionally and personally rewarding. We'll help you to connect with peers and mentors to ensure you are integrated into our client teams. Our top‑notch training and mentoring programs, retreats and academies, and shadowing opportunities are what set us apart. If you are passionate about innovative work in a dynamic environment, you’re just who we've been looking for.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is between $260,000 and $390,000.

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well‑being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short‑ and long‑term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits; health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays.

Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration for employment. For attorney positions, a 'qualified applicant' is an individual who is a member of the State Bar of California, admitted in good standing, and is eligible to practice; or whose admission to the State Bar of California and eligibility to practice remains subject only to successful completion of the California Bar Examination.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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