Closing Date: 10th August, 2026
Description:
Initial Posting Date:07/28/2026
Application Deadline:
08/10/2026
Agency:
Judicial Department
Salary Range:
$11,470 - $17,792
Position Type:
Judicial Department
Salary Range:
$11,470 - $17,792
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Senior Staff Counsel (Staff Attorney) [Staff Counsel Developmental Underfill Opportunity]
Job Description:
Limited Duration: This is a full-time, limited-duration position, currently funded through June 30, 2027. Continuation beyond that date is subject to available funding.
If you are a current OJD regular status employee, acceptance of a limited-duration status position does not change your status to limited duration (although probationary status may still apply). See Judicial Department Personnel Rule 6 for more information or contact your assigned HR Manager.
Developmental Underfill Opportunity: This position may be filled as a developmental underfill at the Staff Counsel job profile level. See the Minimum Qualifications section for details. The hourly wage for the Staff Counsel position is $57.16 - $88.68 [OR The annual salary for this position is $118,892 - $184,451].
Interviews: Generally, interviews will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline. May take longer, depending on the number of applications.
Who We Are:
Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to serve their communities, value OJD's efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work experience, education, and any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.
Benefits to you
We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees [OR up to 99% of medical insurance premiums for part-time employees], including mental health coverage.
Location Highlights
The Oregon Court of Appeals (COA) is Oregon's intermediate appellate court, serving the entire state. The court was created by statute in 1969, and its jurisdiction was established by Oregon's legislative assembly. The Court of Appeals receives every appeal or judicial review taken from Oregon's trial courts and administrative agencies, with the exception of a limited number of appeals that go directly to the Oregon Supreme Court. The court has a high caseload compared to its number of judges and staff, which means that the court's workload is very demanding.
Position Highlights:
The Oregon Court of Appeals is hiring a Staff Attorney (Senior Staff Counsel).
In this role…
You will advise COA judges and colleagues, including the court's law clerks, on substantive and procedural areas of the law for the purpose of facilitating the court's decision making. The workload of the senior staff counsel is heavy in daily reading and writing; most of the work performed by these positions is via computer.
Most of your time will be divided between legal research and writing, and reviewing and editing others' work. You will review records, conduct legal research, and analyze how the law applies to the facts of a particular case to resolve the issue on appeal. You will present your analysis by drafting a broad range of appellate work products, including opinions for publication, memorandum dispositions, and research memoranda. You will prepare summaries of appellate court opinions for release to the media. You may also draft letters or orders for the court advising parties of actions taken or directed by the court.
You will also perform quality-control functions with regard to the work of others at the court, including reviewing and editing draft opinions and communicating your views to judges or legal staff. You will review, edit, critique, and advise law clerks in their preparation of opinion work product. You will also confer weekly with other staff counsel on matters before the court.
You may have other legal research, policy analysis, and legislative support tasks at the direction of COA's Chief Judge and COA Legal Counsel.
Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.
Application Process:
Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume
Cover Letter (REQUIRED)
Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)
Senior Staff Counsel (Staff Attorney) [Staff Counsel Developmental Underfill Opportunity]
Job Description:
Limited Duration: This is a full-time, limited-duration position, currently funded through June 30, 2027. Continuation beyond that date is subject to available funding.
If you are a current OJD regular status employee, acceptance of a limited-duration status position does not change your status to limited duration (although probationary status may still apply). See Judicial Department Personnel Rule 6 for more information or contact your assigned HR Manager.
Developmental Underfill Opportunity: This position may be filled as a developmental underfill at the Staff Counsel job profile level. See the Minimum Qualifications section for details. The hourly wage for the Staff Counsel position is $57.16 - $88.68 [OR The annual salary for this position is $118,892 - $184,451].
Interviews: Generally, interviews will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline. May take longer, depending on the number of applications.
Who We Are:
Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to serve their communities, value OJD's efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work experience, education, and any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.
Benefits to you
We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees [OR up to 99% of medical insurance premiums for part-time employees], including mental health coverage.
- The hourly equivalent for this position is $66.17 - $102.65. [OR The annual salary for this position is $137,637 - $213,503.]
- 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
- OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job!
- Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate's education and experience.
The Oregon Court of Appeals (COA) is Oregon's intermediate appellate court, serving the entire state. The court was created by statute in 1969, and its jurisdiction was established by Oregon's legislative assembly. The Court of Appeals receives every appeal or judicial review taken from Oregon's trial courts and administrative agencies, with the exception of a limited number of appeals that go directly to the Oregon Supreme Court. The court has a high caseload compared to its number of judges and staff, which means that the court's workload is very demanding.
Position Highlights:
The Oregon Court of Appeals is hiring a Staff Attorney (Senior Staff Counsel).
In this role…
You will advise COA judges and colleagues, including the court's law clerks, on substantive and procedural areas of the law for the purpose of facilitating the court's decision making. The workload of the senior staff counsel is heavy in daily reading and writing; most of the work performed by these positions is via computer.
Most of your time will be divided between legal research and writing, and reviewing and editing others' work. You will review records, conduct legal research, and analyze how the law applies to the facts of a particular case to resolve the issue on appeal. You will present your analysis by drafting a broad range of appellate work products, including opinions for publication, memorandum dispositions, and research memoranda. You will prepare summaries of appellate court opinions for release to the media. You may also draft letters or orders for the court advising parties of actions taken or directed by the court.
You will also perform quality-control functions with regard to the work of others at the court, including reviewing and editing draft opinions and communicating your views to judges or legal staff. You will review, edit, critique, and advise law clerks in their preparation of opinion work product. You will also confer weekly with other staff counsel on matters before the court.
You may have other legal research, policy analysis, and legislative support tasks at the direction of COA's Chief Judge and COA Legal Counsel.
Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.
Application Process:
- Workday times out after approximately 15 minutes of inactivity and all progress will be lost.
- REQUIRED: a cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, Special Qualifications, and Requested Skills and Attributes, listed below. Using a generic cover letter is likely not going to get you an interview, so please take the time needed to personalize your cover letter. Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
- REQUIRED: a completed work history, either by completing the Job History (internal candidate) or Work Experience (external candidate) portion of your Workday profile OR by attaching an updated resume.
Cover Letter (REQUIRED)
- Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume / CV / Cover Letter section of the application. The attached cover letter file should include your name.
- In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to each of the Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
- Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
- Attach your updated resume to the Resume / CV / Cover Letter section of the application. The attached resume file should include your name.
- Or
- Complete the Job History/work Experience Portion of Your Workday Profile if You Are Not Using an Updated Resume.
Failure to Follow These Instructions May Result in Rejection of Your Application.
All Application Materials Will Be Evaluated for Consistency of Information, and Your Letter Will Be Evaluated for Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, and Language Use in Addition to Demonstrated Experience.
Filling This Position
Senior Staff Counsel Minimum Qualifications
(these Must Be Evident in Your Resume or Work History.)
The Qualified Candidate Must Have a Juris Doctorate Degree from An Accredited Law School
And
At Least Five (5) Years of Experience that Typically Supports the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Listed for The Position
And
Have a Current Membership in Good Standing in The Oregon State Bar.
Staff Counsel Minimum Qualifications
(these Must Be Evident in Your Resume or Work History.)
The Qualified Candidate Must Have a Juris Doctorate Degree from An Accredited Law School
And
At Least One (1) Year of Experience that Typically Supports the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Listed for The Position
And
Have a Current Membership in Good Standing in The Oregon State Bar.
Special Qualifications
(these Must Be Verifiable.)
None.
Requested Skills and Attributes
(these Must Be Addressed in Your Cover Letter.)
All Application Materials Will Be Evaluated for Consistency of Information, and Your Letter Will Be Evaluated for Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, and Language Use in Addition to Demonstrated Experience.
Filling This Position
- This Position Will Be Filled One of Two Ways: By Appointment of An Applicant Who Meets the Minimum Qualifications (as Identified Below) for A Senior Staff Counsel,
- Or
- By Developmental Underfill of An Applicant Who Meets the Minimum Qualifications (as Identified Below) for A Staff Counsel
(these Must Be Evident in Your Resume or Work History.)
The Qualified Candidate Must Have a Juris Doctorate Degree from An Accredited Law School
And
At Least Five (5) Years of Experience that Typically Supports the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Listed for The Position
And
Have a Current Membership in Good Standing in The Oregon State Bar.
Staff Counsel Minimum Qualifications
(these Must Be Evident in Your Resume or Work History.)
The Qualified Candidate Must Have a Juris Doctorate Degree from An Accredited Law School
And
At Least One (1) Year of Experience that Typically Supports the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Listed for The Position
And
Have a Current Membership in Good Standing in The Oregon State Bar.
Special Qualifications
(these Must Be Verifiable.)
None.
Requested Skills and Attributes
(these Must Be Addressed in Your Cover Letter.)
- Experience Providing Legal Advice on A Variety of Case Laws.
- Skill and Demonstrated Ability to Manage Multiple Projects Concurrently.
- Experience Performing Complex Legal Research and Analysis.
- Experience Interpreting Statutory, Regulatory, and Constitutional Law as Well as Case Law.
- Experience Communicating Orally and In Writing Complex Concepts, Alternative Solutions, and Potential Outcomes.
- Demonstrated Ability to Meet Deadlines for Written Legal Work Products.
- Experience Proofreading and Editing the Work of Others.
- Experience Working for An Appellate Court, Including Clerkships, Is Desirable but Not Required.