What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney - Career (Assistant Supervisor), Merits Unit position at U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and U.S. District Court Northern Illinois?
Position: Staff Attorney - Career (Assistant Supervisor), Merits Unit
Salary Range: CL 30-01 to CL 30-61, $112,464-$182,814 depending on qualifications
Closing Date: April 27, 2026
Position Overview:
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit invites applications for a permanent Staff Attorney (Assistant Supervisor) in the Merits Unit of the Staff Attorney’s Office. The Merits Unit recommends dispositions on a broad spectrum of cases ranging from cases involving pro se litigants to fully counseled, orally argued cases raising complex or novel legal questions. Merits Unit staff law clerks work directly with all the judges of the court, assisting them with research and the disposition of appeals in much the same way as the judges’ law clerks. The Staff Attorney will assist in the supervision of the staff law clerks and may also handle his or her own docket of cases.Qualifications:
The successful applicant will be part of a highly collegial and hard-working team dedicated to meeting the exacting standards of legal excellence required for the work of the court. Applicants must have excellent academic credentials and superior analytical, research, writing, editing, organizational, and time-management skills. Experience as a law clerk or staff attorney in the Federal Judiciary or a State supreme court is highly desirable. Practice experience in Federal courts, particularly in the areas of criminal law, civil-rights law, prisoner litigation, or employment discrimination, is also highly desirable. Applicants must have a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved law school, three or more years of legal practice experience, and bar membership. Benefits:
Benefits include eleven paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (401k), and public transit subsidy (budget dependent). Benefits also include optional participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI), Flexible Benefits Program, and Dental and Vision Insurance, and an onsite gym. Information can be found on the court’s website under Human Resources at: www.ca7.uscourts.gov.Application:
Consideration will only be given to those individuals who apply through the court’s online applicant tracking system and provide a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, two practice-oriented legal writing samples, and a list of three references. Writing samples should disclose the extent of any editing by others.
Please note that this position is not covered by the Fair Chance Act and requires that applicants provide criminal history information prior to receiving any conditional offer of employment. All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.
Pursuant to the Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, selection is contingent upon providing proof of being legally eligible to work in and for the United States. Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.
The court plans to make its hiring decision no later than July 2026, with the successful applicant starting in August 2026.
Salary Range: CL 30-01 to CL 30-61, $112,464-$182,814 depending on qualifications
Closing Date: April 27, 2026
Position Overview:
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit invites applications for a permanent Staff Attorney (Assistant Supervisor) in the Merits Unit of the Staff Attorney’s Office. The Merits Unit recommends dispositions on a broad spectrum of cases ranging from cases involving pro se litigants to fully counseled, orally argued cases raising complex or novel legal questions. Merits Unit staff law clerks work directly with all the judges of the court, assisting them with research and the disposition of appeals in much the same way as the judges’ law clerks. The Staff Attorney will assist in the supervision of the staff law clerks and may also handle his or her own docket of cases.Qualifications:
The successful applicant will be part of a highly collegial and hard-working team dedicated to meeting the exacting standards of legal excellence required for the work of the court. Applicants must have excellent academic credentials and superior analytical, research, writing, editing, organizational, and time-management skills. Experience as a law clerk or staff attorney in the Federal Judiciary or a State supreme court is highly desirable. Practice experience in Federal courts, particularly in the areas of criminal law, civil-rights law, prisoner litigation, or employment discrimination, is also highly desirable. Applicants must have a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved law school, three or more years of legal practice experience, and bar membership. Benefits:
Benefits include eleven paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (401k), and public transit subsidy (budget dependent). Benefits also include optional participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI), Flexible Benefits Program, and Dental and Vision Insurance, and an onsite gym. Information can be found on the court’s website under Human Resources at: www.ca7.uscourts.gov.Application:
Consideration will only be given to those individuals who apply through the court’s online applicant tracking system and provide a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, two practice-oriented legal writing samples, and a list of three references. Writing samples should disclose the extent of any editing by others.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/uscourtsilnd/7thcircuitcoa
Due to the anticipated large response to this announcement, only those interviewed will be notified of the selection outcome. The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the announcement without written notice to applicants. Travel expenses for interviews cannot be reimbursed.Please note that this position is not covered by the Fair Chance Act and requires that applicants provide criminal history information prior to receiving any conditional offer of employment. All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.
Pursuant to the Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, selection is contingent upon providing proof of being legally eligible to work in and for the United States. Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.
The court plans to make its hiring decision no later than July 2026, with the successful applicant starting in August 2026.
THIS OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Salary : $112,464 - $182,814