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Staff Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Courts

Staff Attorney

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$68K - $187K/yr

Staff attorneys conduct legal research, prepare legal memoranda, draft proposed orders, respond to judges' inquiries, and make oral presentations. Staff attorneys meet with three-judge panels in ...

Maryland Legal Aid

Staff Attorney

Rockville, MD · On-site

$76K - $118K/yr

Staff attorneys will be expected to work with other attorneys, law graduates, law clerks, legal assistants, paralegals, social workers, and students on cases or projects. They must maintain all case ...

US Judicial Branch

Staff Attorney

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$68K/yr

C. Circuit, has openings for highly qualified attorneys to serve as staff attorneys to the full court. The positions are full-time and for a two-year term. Limited term extensions may be available.

Cair-foundation Inc

Staff Attorney

Washington, DC

Staff Attorney Department: Civil Rights FLSA: Exempt Job Reports to: Directly to the Trial Attorneys your cases are assigned to Location: Washington, DC Starting Salary: 83,100 Essential Functions ...

Maryland Legal Aid

Staff Attorney

Rockville, MD · On-site

$76K - $118K/yr

The Family Law/ CINA staff attorney represents child clients in CINA cases of all ages and adult family law clients primarily before the Maryland Circuit and Appellate Courts. The attorney also ...

Cooley

Conflicts Staff Attorney

Washington, DC

Conflicts Staff Attorney Cooley is seeking a Conflicts Staff Attorney to join the Business Intake and Conflicts team. Position summary: The business intake and conflicts function is essential to the ...

Cooley

Conflicts Staff Attorney

Reston, VA · On-site

Conflicts Staff Attorney Cooley is seeking a Conflicts Staff Attorney to join the Business Intake and Conflicts team. Position summary: The business intake and conflicts function is essential to the ...

Cooley LLP

Conflicts Staff Attorney

Washington, DC

Conflicts Staff Attorney Cooley is seeking a Conflicts Staff Attorney to join the Business Intake and Conflicts team. Position summary: The business intake and conflicts function is essential to the ...

U.S. Courts

Staff Attorney

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$102K - $187K/yr

Learn more about this agency Duties Help DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The staff attorney position is in the Court's Central Legal Staff, which is located in the Office of the Clerk of the Court. The ...

Cooley LLP

Conflicts Staff Attorney

Reston, VA

Conflicts Staff Attorney Cooley is seeking a Conflicts Staff Attorney to join the Business Intake and Conflicts team. Position summary: The business intake and conflicts function is essential to the ...

Cair-foundation Inc

Staff Attorney, MO/KS

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$83K - $95K/yr

Staff Attorney Department: Civil Rights Reports to: Trial Attorney Supervison Responsiblites: None Location: Remote with occasional travel. FLSA Status: Exempt Hour: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.( eastern ...

US Judicial Branch

Staff Attorney

Washington, DC

$102K/yr

The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is seeking multiple Staff Attorney positions in Washington D.C..Qualifications:The selectee must have: * A professional law degree (juris doctor ...

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All JobsStaff Attorney JobsStaff Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA

Staff Attorney information

See Reston, VA salary details

$52.5K

$95.1K

$157.6K

How much do staff attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff attorney in Reston, VA is $95,136.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,300.00 and $110,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Staff Attorney vs Associate Attorney?

AspectStaff AttorneyAssociate Attorney
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), bar admissionJuris Doctor (JD), bar admission
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, legal departments, nonprofitsLaw firms, corporate legal teams, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal organizations, nonprofits, governmentPrivate law firms, corporate legal departments
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, career paths, responsibilitiesEntry-level to mid-level legal roles, career progression

Both Staff Attorneys and Associate Attorneys typically hold a JD and are bar-certified. Staff Attorneys often work in legal departments or nonprofits, focusing on specific legal tasks without client management, while Associate Attorneys usually work in law firms or corporate settings, handling client cases and gaining experience. The roles are similar but differ mainly in work environment and responsibilities, with Staff Attorneys often having more specialized or in-house roles.

What Is a Staff Attorney?

A staff attorney works for a law firm or another organization. Staff attorneys are associates with law degrees who have passed the Bar Exam in their states. They research, analyze, and write about complex legal issues. Duties and responsibilities of all staff attorney jobs include legal research and support to the partners in a law firm. Staff attorneys may also draft portions of legal opinions based on their research as well as verify cited sources, and review documents at the request of a partner. Staff attorney is a good position for attorneys who wish to continue in the legal profession.

What is a staff attorney?

A staff attorney is a licensed lawyer employed by an organization, law firm, nonprofit, or government agency to provide legal advice, conduct research, draft documents, and represent clients or the organization in legal matters. Unlike partners or associates who may have client development or managerial responsibilities, staff attorneys typically focus on substantive legal work and supporting ongoing cases. Their duties often include reviewing and preparing legal documents, assisting with litigation, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Staff attorneys play a vital role in supporting legal teams and ensuring that legal services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

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

To thrive as a Staff Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, strong legal research, and writing abilities. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and case management systems, is typically required. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in supporting clients and collaborating with colleagues. These competencies are essential for delivering high-quality legal counsel, ensuring compliance, and effectively managing caseloads in a legal environment.

What are some common challenges Staff Attorneys face when managing multiple cases simultaneously?

Staff Attorneys often juggle a high volume of cases, each with distinct deadlines and documentation requirements. Balancing priorities while maintaining attention to detail can be challenging, especially when urgent matters arise unexpectedly. Effective time management and strong organizational skills are essential for meeting court deadlines and collaborating with colleagues, such as paralegals and senior attorneys. Regular communication with team members and leveraging case management software can help alleviate these challenges and ensure smooth workflow.
More about Staff Attorney jobs
What are popular job titles related to Staff Attorney jobs in Reston, VA? For Staff Attorney jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Staff Attorney jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Attorney jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Staff Attorney jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Staff Attorney job openings:
Staff Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Attorney job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Locum Tenens, 75% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,136 per year, or $45.7 per hour.

Staff Attorney

U.S. Courts

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$68K - $187K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Summary
The Legal Division of the Office of the Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, has openings for highly qualified attorneys to serve as staff attorneys to the full court.
The positions are full-time and for a two-year term. Limited term extensions may be available. Some work may be done remotely.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
The Legal Division's principal responsibility is to recommend to the court the disposition of substantive and procedural motions, appeals decided without oral argument, and emergency matters. Staff attorneys conduct legal research, prepare legal memoranda, draft proposed orders, respond to judges' inquiries, and make oral presentations. Staff attorneys meet with three-judge panels in formal conferences about twice a month. At conference, staff attorneys answer any questions about their cases, and the panel discusses and votes on staff attorney recommendations. Staff attorneys may also present their recommendations orally to the judges when handling time-sensitive emergency motions.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
Because the D.C. Circuit entertains a large number of high-profile and sealed cases, staff attorneys are subject to strict confidentiality requirements.
In addition, your continued employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. A full background investigation for a security clearance may be required.
Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work for the United States government.
Qualifications
The caseload of the D.C. Circuit involves virtually every area of federal law, and is unique in the number of cases filed against the executive branch. Because staff attorneys must be able to advise the judges on difficult, varied, and important legal issues, the court is highly selective in its hiring. The court is looking for individuals who have demonstrated the ability to research and analyze complex legal issues in depth and to express themselves clearly, both orally and in writing.
To qualify for the CL 28 level or above, you must be a member of the bar of a state or the District of Columbia, and have at least one year of relevant experience after graduation from law school.
Education
At a minimum, applicants must possess a J.D. degree as of the position's start date. A judicial clerkship or internship, law review membership, or comparable legal research and writing experience is desirable. Litigation experience is advantageous. Graduation in the top 25% of your law school class is preferred.
Additional information
  • More than one vacancy may be filled.
  • All positions in the Clerk's Office are excepted appointments and are "at will."
  • The selected candidate will serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Selected applicants will be subject to mandatory electronic transfer of funds for payment of net pay.
  • The United States Courthouse is a smoke-free building.

The United States Court of Appeals is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
Information about benefits is available at https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.

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