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Habeas Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UC Law SF

Director and Staff Attorney

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

The Director and Staff Attorney of the Habeas Institute (Director) is a combined litigation and academic leadership role, focusing primarily on immigration habeas and related litigation. The Director ...

UC Law SF

Director and Staff Attorney

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

The Director and Staff Attorney of the Habeas Institute ("Director") is a combined litigation and academic leadership role, focusing primarily on immigration habeas and related litigation. The ...

CTR Management Group LLC

Law Clerk I

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

C. 2255 (habeas corpus) and immigration habeas matters, including: Receiving, logging, and docketing pleadings and filings Calendaring court ordered deadlines and statutory due dates Coordinating ...

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How much do habeas jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for habeas in the United States is $146,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $190,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Habeas Corpus Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Habeas Corpus Attorney, you need a strong foundation in constitutional law, criminal procedure, legal research, and an accredited law degree with bar admission. Familiarity with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), case management systems, and appellate filing procedures is essential. Exceptional critical thinking, persuasive writing, and strong advocacy skills make someone stand out in this role. These competencies are crucial for effectively challenging unlawful detentions and ensuring clients' constitutional rights are protected.

What are some common challenges faced by attorneys handling habeas corpus cases?

Attorneys working on habeas corpus cases often encounter challenges such as navigating complex procedural rules and strict filing deadlines, as well as gathering and presenting new evidence that was not available during the original trial. They may also need to conduct in-depth legal research and develop persuasive arguments to demonstrate a violation of constitutional rights. Collaboration with investigators, experts, and sometimes family members of the petitioner is common, making strong communication and organizational skills essential. Additionally, these cases can be emotionally demanding due to the high stakes involved for clients.

What are Habeas jobs?

Habeas jobs typically refer to legal positions or roles related to habeas corpus, which is a legal procedure to determine if a person's imprisonment or detention is lawful. Professionals in this field, such as lawyers or paralegals, work on cases that challenge the legality of a person's detention, often in criminal or immigration contexts. These jobs require strong research, writing, and advocacy skills, as they involve preparing petitions, representing clients in court, and analyzing complex legal issues. Habeas practitioners play a crucial role in protecting individuals' rights to fair treatment under the law.

What is the difference between Habeas vs Paralegal?

AspectHabeasParalegal
Required CredentialsLegal education, often a law degree or specialized trainingAssociate's degree or paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentCourts, legal offices, or detention facilitiesLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal system, criminal justice, civil rightsLegal support roles across various law sectors

Habeas and paralegals both work within the legal field, but Habeas focuses on legal petitions related to unlawful detention, requiring specialized legal knowledge. Paralegals assist lawyers with case preparation and legal research. While Habeas practitioners often have legal credentials and work directly in courts, paralegals support legal teams across multiple practice areas. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the legal industry.

More about Habeas jobs
What cities are hiring for Habeas jobs? Cities with the most Habeas job openings:
What states have the most Habeas jobs? States with the most job openings for Habeas jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Habeas jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Habeas jobs are:
Habeas jobs near you
Senior Attorney-Litigation (Habeas Focus), NIJC

Senior Attorney-Litigation (Habeas Focus), NIJC

National Immigrant Justice Center

Chicago, IL • On-site

$82K - $105K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About NIJC
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,500 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.
Job Summary:
In recent months, the quickly changing landscape of federal immigration law and the substantial expansion of immigration detention prompted NIJC to work in collaboration with partners in Illinois to launch a Habeas Project to increase the availability of representation in petitions for a writ of habeas corpus. The project is aimed at delivering critical and quick legal relief in the form of release from detention and/or a bond hearing in immigration court.
NIJC seeks a senior attorney to work with existing staff and a new Habeas Project Manager to oversee the Project. This will include working with referring immigration lawyers and pro se individuals to provide pro bono representation in habeas petitions. While this person will have a docket of their own habeas petitions, they will also be responsible for assisting pro bono attorneys in developing the substantive arguments. This person will work with partners to recruit and manage new pro bono attorneys, ensuring that all volunteer attorneys have completed required training, and maintaining case records. Please NOTE: This person must be in Illinois and must be eligible for admission to the bar in the Northern District of Illinois.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Develop legal arguments for habeas petitions and prepare templates for pro bono attorneys.
  • Independently manage a docket of habeas case filings.
  • In collaboration with others, oversee the work of NIJC's broader habeas practice.
  • Supervise pro bono attorneys in their representation of clients in habeas matters.
  • Organize, lead, and oversee regular meetings of the Illinois Habeas Project, which includes stakeholders internally and external to NIJC.
  • Communicate with clients and immigration counsel about case developments.
  • Liaise between legal teams, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure clear communication and accurate management of data pertaining to cases.
  • Ensure timely and accurate data tracking of Habeas Project work for stakeholders and members of the public.
  • Conduct and lead training on habeas practice.

Competencies:
  • Legal Skills: Experience analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies. Strong legal research, writing, and argumentation skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Technology Knowledge/Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
  • Education and/or Experience: A law degree (JD), license to practice law and at least 3 years' experience in the legal field, preferably in the field of immigration law, with a focus on removal of defense. Applicants with significantly more experience are encouraged to apply, and total years of relevant experience will be considered as part of the final salary determination. The applicant must be eligible for admission to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
  • Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required.
  • Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems.
  • Reasoning Ability: Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

How to Apply
Please Include:
  1. Your resume
  2. A compelling cover letter, including the following:
    1. Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC
    2. How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
    3. A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications.

Physical Abilities Statement
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
  • The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
  • Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.
By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Apply