Description:
About the Firm:The Federal Appeals Firm is a national appellate practice focused exclusively on federal district court appeals of Social Security disability decisions. We handle a high volume of federal appeals across multiple circuits and have built our practice around rigorous legal writing and substantive appellate advocacy. This is not a generalist firm — we do one thing, and we do it at a high level.
The Role:
We are seeking a skilled legal writer to join our team as an Associate Attorney. This position is writing-intensive and designed for an attorney who thrives on complex legal analysis, enjoys federal appellate practice, and prefers substantive brief-writing over hearings or client-facing work.
You will draft federal district court briefs challenging Social Security disability decisions issued by Administrative Law Judges. All briefs are reviewed and finalized by senior attorneys prior to filing.
This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who wants to build deep expertise in federal appellate litigation without the distractions of a traditional litigation practice.
Responsibilities:
- Draft federal district court briefs challenging ALJ decisions in Social Security disability cases
- Analyze administrative records to identify viable legal issues for appeal
- Conduct legal research across multiple federal circuits
- Evaluate potential cases for merit and assess whether legal grounds support a federal appeal
- Collaborate with senior attorneys who provide final review and oversight on all filings
Compensation & Benefits:
- Base Salary: $70,000
- Performance Bonus: 5% of Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) fees collected on successful appeals while employed with the firm.
- Health Insurance Stipend: $500/month ($6,000 annually)
- Estimated Total Compensation: $90,000 – $107,000+
- Additional benefits include a 401(k) retirement plan.
Qualifications:
Required:
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Active admission to at least one state bar
- Exceptional legal research and writing skills
- Strong analytical ability and attention to detail
Preferred:
- Experience with federal court briefing or appellate litigation
- Familiarity with Social Security disability law (helpful, but not required for exceptional writers)
- Comfort with AI-assisted drafting tools (Anthropic / Claude)
Work Arrangement
This position is currently remote. Our main office is in NJ. However, applicants should be aware that the firm may transition operations to Florida in the future, and a willingness to accommodate that change is necessary. The attorney's willingness to change from a remote worker to an in-office worker is necessary. If we transition operations to Florida, it is expected that this position will then become fully in-office.
How to Apply:
- You must send your application materials to the law firm directly.
- Include: a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples.
- Send the application materials to: appeals@thefederalappealsfirm.com
- Put in the subject heading: NJ ASSOCIATE POSITION
- Do not submit through the job listing website.
If you have less than 5 years of experience as a practicing attorney please also submit your law school resume so we can see your legal writing grade.
Writing Assessment
Candidates who advance to serious consideration will be asked to complete a writing assessment prior to any offer. The assessment involves a drafting exercise designed to evaluate the analytical and persuasive writing skills this role demands on a daily basis.
The assessment is unpaid. Specific details — including the prompt, format, and timeline — will be provided at that stage. Candidates who are not prepared to complete a writing exercise should be aware of this requirement before applying.
We use this assessment because the quality of our work product is the foundation of our practice. We extend it only to candidates we are genuinely considering.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Federal Appeals Firm is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Flexible work from home options available.
