Closing Date: 15th September, 2026
Description:
Vacancy AnnouncementLocation:
Chicago, Illinois
Office
First District, Illinois Appellate Court
First District, Illinois Appellate Court
Posted Date
08/04/26
Closing Date:
No later than Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Division:
First District, Illinois Appellate Court – Legal Research Division
Benefits:
An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, deferred compensation options, as well as vacation, sick and personal leave. Please refer to the following Benefits Information Sheet for additional details.
Salary:
08/04/26
Closing Date:
No later than Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Division:
First District, Illinois Appellate Court – Legal Research Division
Benefits:
An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, deferred compensation options, as well as vacation, sick and personal leave. Please refer to the following Benefits Information Sheet for additional details.
Salary:
$93,681
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:
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.
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.