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Habeas Corpus Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Deputy District Attorney

Fallon, NV ยท On-site

$124K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

District Attorney Opening Date: 07/30/2026 Closing Date: Continuous FLSA: Exempt Position Summary ... Prepares necessary answers and responses to writs of habeas corpus, petitions for post-conviction ...

Associate Attorney

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Habeas Corpus and Mandamus. You will receive training and mentorship in removal defense and ... SIGNING BONUS: $5,000-$10,000 Our Associate Attorneys manage their own dockets of cases, and have ...

Associate Attorney

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Habeas Corpus and Mandamus. You will receive training and mentorship in removal defense and ... SIGNING BONUS: $5,000-$10,000 Our Associate Attorneys manage their own dockets of cases, and have ...

Attorneys in the Legal Division advise on a wide range of matters including legal, policy ... Habeas Corpus; - Educating and providing documents to counsel from the Law Department in order to ...

Staff Attorneys

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... and through habeas corpus proceedings. These Staff Attorneys will work with 3 CAP teams, gaining broad exposure to the diverse aspects of capital litigation. Unrepresented Team Role and ...

Staff Attorneys

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... and through habeas corpus proceedings. These Staff Attorneys will work with 3 CAP teams, gaining broad exposure to the diverse aspects of capital litigation. Unrepresented Team Role and ...

Showing results 21-40

Habeas Corpus Attorney information

See salary details

$46K

$108.2K

$172.5K

How much do habeas corpus attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for habeas corpus attorney in the United States is $108,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a habeas corpus attorney?

A Habeas Corpus Attorney is a lawyer who specializes in representing clients seeking relief through habeas corpus petitions. These petitions challenge the legality of a person's detention or imprisonment, often in cases involving constitutional rights violations or wrongful convictions. Habeas Corpus Attorneys work to ensure that individuals are not held in custody unlawfully, typically by filing legal motions in state or federal courts. Their work is essential in protecting the rights of individuals against unjust detention by the government.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a habeas corpus attorney?

To thrive as a Habeas Corpus Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong expertise in constitutional and criminal law, particularly post-conviction relief procedures. Proficiency with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and familiarity with court filing systems are crucial. Exceptional analytical thinking, persuasive writing, and client advocacy skills set top practitioners apart. These abilities are vital for effectively challenging unlawful detentions and protecting clients' fundamental rights through complex legal processes.

What are some of the common challenges faced by habeas corpus attorneys when working on post-conviction cases?

Habeas Corpus Attorneys often encounter challenges such as navigating complex procedural rules and tight filing deadlines, especially when advocating for clients whose initial appeals have been exhausted. Gathering new evidence or identifying constitutional violations can be difficult, as records may be incomplete or witnesses unavailable. Additionally, the work can be emotionally demanding, given the high stakes involved for clients facing lengthy incarceration. Collaboration with investigators, experts, and sometimes family members is essential to build a compelling case for relief.

What is the difference between Habeas Corpus Attorney vs Criminal Defense Attorney?

AspectHabeas Corpus AttorneyCriminal Defense Attorney
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar license, specialized knowledge in habeas corpus lawLaw degree, bar license, broad criminal law expertise
Work EnvironmentCourts, legal offices, detention facilitiesLaw firms, courts, client meetings
Employer & IndustryLegal firms, government agencies, courtsPrivate law firms, government, public defenders
Search & ComparisonFocused on post-conviction relief, constitutional rightsHandles criminal charges, trial defense, plea negotiations

While both roles involve criminal law, a Habeas Corpus Attorney specializes in challenging unlawful detention through habeas corpus petitions, focusing on constitutional rights. A Criminal Defense Attorney handles a broader range of criminal cases, including trials and plea deals. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right legal expert for their specific needs.

More about Habeas Corpus Attorney jobs

What cities are hiring for Habeas Corpus Attorney jobs?

Cities with the most Habeas Corpus Attorney job openings:

What states have the most Habeas Corpus Attorney jobs?

States with the most job openings for Habeas Corpus Attorney jobs include:

Infographic showing various Habeas Corpus Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,160 per year, or $52 per hour.

Student Volunteer (Fall 2026 or Spring 2027)

California Appellate Project

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

California Appellate Project (CAP) is a non-profit organization created by the State Bar of California in 1983. The mission of our San Francisco office is to help ensure that individuals facing the death penalty receive the legal representation they are constitutionally entitled to receive. CAP's dedicated team of staff attorneys and support personnel work closely with court-appointed private counsel, offering guidance and resources for handling capital cases before the California Supreme Court. For law students interested in appellate advocacy, criminal justice, or public interest law, CAP represents a vital part of California's legal landscape-and a meaningful opportunity to see how legal support can make a real difference.


What do we do?

  • Assist appointed counsel on post-conviction death penalty cases in both habeas corpus and appellate proceedings;
  • Provide case assistance to unrepresented people on death row;
  • Track judicial and legislative developments affecting death penalty litigation;
  • Conduct death penalty defense training seminars for capital defense professionals and law students;
  • Publish numerous documents including a monthly newsletter, RECAP; a death penalty manual for California attorneys; the National Death Penalty Information Index; an extensive brief bank; and other resources for the capital defense community.


Why apply to volunteer at California Appellate Project?

Our San Francisco office is dedicated to developing the next generation of criminal defense attorneys. Under the guidance of experienced counsel, our law school externs, interns, and pro bono attorneys contribute to a wide range of essential work, including mitigation investigation, records collection, case review under ameliorative statutes, legal research and writing, technical assistance to counsel appointed in automatic appeals and habeas corpus matters, and support for individuals on death row who are currently unrepresented.


During the academic year, students may apply to serve as externs in CAP's San Francisco office. We welcome candidates who can participate through academic credit, volunteer hours, or funding from public interest programs. Selection for fellows, externs, and volunteers occurs on a rolling basis.


Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and two references. We also ask volunteers to describe how their life experience, training, and work history have prepared them to work effectively with our clients and the communities we serve.