Appellate Court Attorney (Downtown Los Angeles)

About This Job

OVERVIEW

The Second Appellate District, Division Eight, of the California Court of Appeal is seeking applications for the position of appellate court attorney. This role is within the chambers of Associate Justice Matthew A. Scherb and is based in downtown Los Angeles. Candidates who reach the final stage of the selection process may be required to participate in a timed writing assessment conducted on-site. The position offers the possibility of a hybrid work arrangement.

The Second District handles significant matters pertaining to civil, criminal, and juvenile law within the state. This is a distinctive and fulfilling career opportunity designed for a highly capable attorney with intellectual curiosity and a deep commitment to legal principles, meticulous writing, comprehensive research and analysis, precision, high standards, and public service.

The appointed attorney will work in partnership with the justice and chamber colleagues to prepare judicial opinions for a diverse caseload. Responsibilities will entail a meticulous review of appellate briefs and trial court records; conducting thorough, independent legal research and analysis; drafting clear, concise, and logically sound memoranda and opinion drafts in a timely manner; reviewing and proofreading opinions; offering recommendations on the resolution of legal issues before the court; and completing additional assignments as directed. Essential qualifications include superior research, analytical, and writing abilities, keen attention to detail, a strong professional ethic, sound judgment, and the capacity to work autonomously on complex legal matters across various fields, manage priorities, and adhere to deadlines. The attorney must also collaborate effectively with other chamber and court personnel and be receptive to supervision and editorial feedback on their work. Preferred qualifications encompass experience from a state or federal judicial clerkship, service as a career attorney, other non-adversarial adjudicatory roles, appellate practice, litigation involving substantial writing, and familiarity with multiple legal disciplines.

Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate\'s qualifications and professional background.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Level A: Current, active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Level B: Active membership in the State Bar of California plus two years of post-bar legal experience in a setting such as private practice, a corporation, government agency, law school, court, or legal publishing. Alternatively, one year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level A, within the judicial branch combined with one additional year of the described legal experience.
• Level C: Active membership in the State Bar of California plus three years of post-bar legal experience in the aforementioned settings. Alternatively, one year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level B, within the judicial branch.
• Level D: Active membership in the State Bar of California plus four years of post-bar legal experience in the aforementioned settings. Alternatively, one year of experience as an appellate attorney, Level C, within the judicial branch.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested parties should apply online by selecting the Apply for Job button.

The following application materials are required:

• A fully completed online application.
• A cover letter expressing interest in the role and detailing how the applicant\'s background aligns with the court\'s needs.
• A current resume.
• Two writing samples that showcase the applicant\'s capabilities. A brief introductory note providing context for each sample is encouraged.
• Professional references.

For priority consideration, applications should be submitted by December 8, 2025.

SALARY

• Level A: $6,886 monthly.
• Level B: $8,332 to $10,582 monthly. The starting salary will range from $8,332 to $9,165 monthly.
• Level C: $9,158 to $11,640 monthly. The starting salary will range from $9,158 to $10,074 monthly.
• Level D: $10,541 to $14,069 monthly. The starting salary will range from $10,541 to $11,595 monthly.

Please be advised that, due to statewide fiscal conditions, the stated salary ranges are subject to a temporary 3% reduction. In exchange for this reduction, judicial branch employees will accrue an additional 5 hours of paid personal leave monthly through June 30, 2027.

BENEFITS

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• 13 paid holidays annually.
• 1 personal holiday per year.
• Choice between an annual leave plan or separate sick and vacation leave.
• Monthly transit pass subsidy of $130.
• CalPERS Retirement Plan.
• 401K and 457 deferred compensation plans.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance.
• FlexElect Program.
• Long Term Disability insurance.
• Long Term Care insurance.
• Group Legal Plan.

The Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.