Appellate Court Senior Research Attorney

Position: Appellate Court Senior Research Attorney

Division: First District, Illinois Appellate Court – Legal Research Division

Salary: $93,681

Benefits: An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and deferred compensation options, as well as vacation, sick, and personal leave. Please refer to the following Benefits Information Sheet for additional details.

Reporting Relationship: Legal Research Director

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The appellate court senior research attorney performs professional legal work in reviewing and conducting legal research, writing, and other professional legal services. Work is performed with considerable independence under the supervision of the appellate court legal research director and is reviewed through conferences and reports.

FUNCTIONS INCLUDE

• Assists the legal research director in reviewing the work of a moderate-to-large staff of research attorneys.
• Reviews legal analysis by research attorneys, prior to submission to the court, for accuracy, clarity, and conformity to established procedures and rules.
• Advises research attorneys on research methodology, court rules, and points of law.
• Researches law regarding issues addressed by parties or the court.
• Reads and examines briefs and records; determines relevant cases to be read; verifies the jurisdiction of the court.
• Reads petitions for rehearing on assigned cases as needed, and researches or redrafts work product as requested by the authoring justice and panel.
• Confers with justices, law clerks, and research division staff on assignments and corresponding analysis.
• Studies current legal publications, recent opinions of the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, and other relevant state and federal cases; interprets new statutes according to legislative intent and reviews recent legislation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Candidate must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and have a minimum of 5 years’ legal experience. Candidate must be licensed in Illinois and an attorney in good standing. Criminal law experience is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment requiring telephone and computer usage and the ability to process written and electronic documents.

Interested individuals are asked to submit a resume, writing sample, an official or unofficial law school transcript (initially to be used as an assessment of the types of classes taken by candidates), two references (no letters of recommendation required), and a letter of interest stating how the candidate’s experience and qualifications connect with the required and preferred credentials, characteristics, and priorities expressed in the position profile, via e-mail, to courtemployment@illinoiscourts.gov no later than Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER