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Habeas Jobs (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Courts

Capital Habeas Unit Chief

Cleveland, OH · On-site +1

$80K - $197K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Summary The Capital Habeas Unit Chief leads all Unit operations, strategic initiatives, and litigation functions while contemporaneously serving as a senior leader and personal advisor to the Federal ...

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$43K

$146.3K

$211K

How much do habeas jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 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 is a habeas job?

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
Infographic showing various Habeas job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $146,280 per year, or $70.3 per hour.

Habeas Program Attorney

Bar Association of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$86K - $89K/yr

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Description
The Habeas Program Attorney (HPA), an employee of the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC), provides legal expertise, mentorship, and support to volunteer attorneys representing individuals pursuing immigration habeas corpus relief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Working closely with Bay Area Habeas Network (BAHN) partner organizations and volunteer counsel, the HPA recruits, trains, and mentors attorneys; facilitates case referrals and placements; provides legal guidance and consultation; develops practice and training resources; and strengthens partnerships to expand access to justice for immigrants facing detention. The HPA exercises independent legal and professional judgment and may, but is not required to, accept and directly represent clients in immigration habeas matters.
Legal Program and Panel Development:
  • Develop and strengthen JDC's Habeas Pro Bono Panel.
  • Establish and maintain attorney recruitment, case referral, and placement processes.
  • Develop and maintain legal practice resources, protocols, and workflows to support effective habeas representation.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen the quality, capacity, and sustainability of pro bono habeas representation.

Attorney Recruitment, Training, and Mentorship:
  • Recruit, screen, onboard, train, and retain qualified volunteer attorneys.
  • Cultivate relationships with law firms, bar associations, and individual practitioners to expand the pool of pro bono counsel.
  • Provide legal guidance, mentorship, consultation, and case support to volunteer attorneys throughout their representation.
  • Help volunteer attorneys assess legal and procedural issues, develop litigation strategies, and navigate federal court practice.
  • Develop and deliver trainings, presentations, practice guides, and other resources for volunteer attorneys.
  • Serve as a resource to volunteer attorneys handling urgent or complex habeas matters.

Case Referral and Coordination:
  • Coordinate referrals received from BAHN partners.
  • Assess referred matters and facilitate placement with qualified pro bono counsel.
  • Consult with BAHN attorneys and volunteer counsel regarding appropriate case placement and transitions.
  • Facilitate substitutions of counsel and transitions between BAHN attorneys and volunteer counsel.
  • Coordinate emergency placements for TROs and other expedited matters.
  • As appropriate, accept and directly represent clients in referred habeas matters.

Litigation and Legal Support:
  • Provide substantive legal support and consultation to volunteer attorneys handling referred matters.
  • Assist volunteer attorneys in identifying and addressing litigation deadlines, procedural requirements, and urgent case developments.
  • Consult with volunteer counsel regarding litigation strategy, federal court procedures, and case transitions.
  • Work collaboratively with BAHN attorneys and volunteer counsel to preserve clients' access to counsel and ensure continuity of representation.
  • When directly representing a client, independently manage the legal representation, including case strategy, filings, court appearances, and other responsibilities of counsel.

Collaboration and Partnership:
  • Serve as JDC's primary attorney liaison to BAHN partners.
  • Participate in BAHN meetings and collaborative planning.
  • Contribute legal expertise to the development of BAHN protocols, practices, and best practices.
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with attorneys, legal services organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders.

Reporting and Compliance:
  • Maintain accurate program and case-related data.
  • Prepare reports required by grants and contracts.
  • Ensure compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and applicable professional and ethical obligations.
  • Maintain appropriate documentation relating to attorney recruitment, training, referrals, and case placements.

Additional Job Functions:
  • Assist with program evaluation and fundraising activities as requested.
  • Participate in community outreach, presentations, and educational programs regarding immigration habeas representation and pro bono opportunities.
  • Develop resource materials, practice guides, and training materials for volunteer attorneys.
  • Participate in organizational committees and workgroups as assigned.
  • Perform other related duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Skills:
  • Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
  • Strong public speaking and training skills.
  • Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Case management software.
  • Electronic court filing systems.

Working Conditions:
  • Primarily office and hybrid work environment.
  • Regular participation in virtual and in-person meetings.
  • Occasional local travel within the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to respond to emergency filings or urgent case developments.

Education:
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
  • Active California Bar license in good standing.

Experience:
  • Minimum of three years of legal experience, preferably in immigration law, federal litigation, habeas corpus litigation, or civil rights litigation.
  • Experience providing legal mentorship, consultation, training, or support to volunteer attorneys or legal professionals preferred.
  • Experience with pro bono legal programs, legal services organizations, or collaborative legal projects preferred.
  • Experience practicing in federal court preferred.

Requirements:
  • Conversational Spanish preferred.
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet competing deadlines.
  • Ability to build collaborative relationships with attorneys, courts, partner organizations, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of federal court procedures and practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
  • Knowledge of immigration enforcement, immigration detention, and federal habeas corpus practice.
  • Familiarity with emergency litigation, including Temporary Restraining Orders and expedited court procedures.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds while demonstrating cultural humility and professionalism.

To Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter.
Equal Opportunity Employer
JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws.

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