Staff Attorney

Job Duties

The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia seeks to hire one full-time Staff Attorney in the Department of Legal Research.

These positions offer a competitive benefits package, which includes vacation and sick leave, 13 paid holidays, health insurance, retirement, life insurance, deferred compensation, and short- and long-term disability.

A writing sample is required. Previous applicants need not reapply. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Staff Attorney will include 

(i) providing legal research services to the judges of the circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations district courts and to the staff of the Office of the Executive Secretary; 

(ii) reviewing legislation before the Virginia General Assembly to determine its effect on the Virginia court system and assisting with representing the court system at the General Assembly; 

(iii) assisting with the implementation of recently enacted legislation in the court system; and 

(iv) engaging in other tasks as needed, including participating in workgroups and attending outside agency meetings as they pertain to the court system and assisting with the development and revision of official court forms used in the district courts.

Minimum Qualifications

The most competitive candidates will possess:

Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Virginia and be in good standing with the Virginia State Bar; demonstrate an ability to do sophisticated legal research, including familiarity with Lexis+ and/or other automated research tools; and possess superior analytical, verbal, and literary skills.

Preference will be given to applicants with some combination of the following: 2-5 years of practice experience in Virginia’s trial-level state courts, specifically in criminal practice; a judicial clerkship with a Virginia state court; or experience with the legislative process in the Virginia General Assembly.

A writing sample is required. Previous applicants need not reapply. 

Contact Information

Email: Humanresources@VACourts.gov