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Habeas Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Murray Osorio PLLC

2027 Summer Law Clerk

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$31/hr

S. Courts of Appeals, as well as federal litigation, including mandamus and habeas corpus matters. * Business The Business team helps clients secure temporary work visas and employment/ investor ...

All JobsHabeas JobsHabeas Jobs in Reston, VA

Habeas information

See Reston, VA salary details

$44.7K

$152.2K

$219.5K

How much do habeas jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for habeas in Reston, VA is $152,183.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,800.00 and $197,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

What are popular job titles related to Habeas jobs in Reston, VA?

For Habeas jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Habeas jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Habeas jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Habeas jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Habeas job openings:

Habeas jobs near you
Infographic showing various Habeas job openings in Reston, VA 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 $152,183 per year, or $73.2 per hour.

Habeas Mentoring Attorney (Part-time, 5-10 hours per week)

American Immigration Council

Washington, DC • Remote

$115/hr

Part-time, Contractor

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Description

The American Immigration Council works to strengthen America by shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigrants and immigration and by working toward a more fair and just immigration system that opens its doors to those in need of protection and unleashes the energy and skills that immigrants bring. The Council brings together individuals adept at solving problems and employs four coordinated approaches to advance change-litigation, research, legislative and administrative advocacy, and communications.?  

Position Summary 

The Part-Time Habeas Attorney is tasked with supporting the IJC team and our pro bono attorney volunteers with our habeas work. This will entail gathering information and guides about habeas in multiple jurisdictions across the United States and assisting in the mentorship of attorney volunteers on habeas cases. This part-time contract position requires approximately 5-10 hours per week, to be worked flexibly depending on the requirements of IJC. 

Essential Job Functions 


Research and materials development (50%) 

  • Research and gather information and guides about habeas in multiple jurisdictions across the United States 
  • Create and edit manuals, practice advisories, samples, and other materials to support attorney volunteers working on habeas cases 
  • Ensure that habeas materials are kept up-to-date as needed 

Volunteer mentorship (50%) 

  • Assist in the mentorship of attorney volunteers working on habeas cases 
  • Support volunteers by answering questions and providing guidance on habeas  
  • Participate in training webinars about habeas as needed  

Requirements

  • J.D. Active and in good standing with a U.S. state bar 
  • Member of at least one federal district court bar 
  • Admitted to and experience with at least one Texas district court strongly preferred 
  • Immigration habeas experience required  
  • Commitment to the mission of the Immigration Justice Campaign and the American Immigration Council 
  • Solid research skills 
  • Excellent writing and editing skills 
  • Ability to guide and mentor other attorneys 
  • Strong attention to detail 
  • Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands and multiple assignments through effective time management 
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities, strategies, and circumstances 

This job is a remote position. While remote, this job operates in a professional office environment and will require the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and technology such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The Council will provide a laptop and other equipment needed to perform the job. Staff must supply their own office space and furniture.   

Application Process: To ensure a complete application, all candidates must submit the required materials, including a resume and cover letter, through our application portal. As part of our interview process, candidates may be asked to participate in virtual interviews, which will require on-camera presence. 

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