LASCAD seeks appointed counsel

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division is seeking qualified attorneys to represent indigent defendants. Upon Appellate Division approval, appointed attorneys are compensated by the Professional Appointee Court Expenditure (PACE) program at a rate of $100 per hour and are appointed to represent indigent defendants through an alphabetical rotation process. Occasionally, and in the interest of judicial economy and efficiency, an attorney may be appointed out of order when there is a related pending appeal for the same defendant. Email application materials (cover letter, resume, and two recent writing samples) to: Patti Jo McKay, Presiding Judge, Appellate Division, Care of Lynette Brooks at LBrooks@lacourt.ca.gov

Court of Appeal Holds Special Session for Alameda High School Students -- More than 400 Alameda High School students will attend oral argument of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Five.

4/1 chambers & central staff opportunities

New Justice Eran Bermudez in San Diego is seeking applicants for her chambers:

Division I - San Diego -- Job ID #6741 Appellate Court Attorney -- Posting is open until September 25, 2026

Division I San Diego is accepting applications for an Appellate Court Attorney (Level B- Senior). Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone you think would be a great fit for the court. The job can be found at AppellateCourt Chambers Attorney (Level B - Senior) Or Appellate Court Central StaffAttorney (Level B - Senior) | Judicial Branch of California

4/1 seeks Clerk/XO

The Fourth District is seeking a new Clerk/Executive Officer in San Diego: Clerk/Executive Officer | District Courts of Appeal.

The Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeal, Division One, located in downtown San Diego, is accepting applications for the position of Clerk/Executive Officer for the Fourth District Court of Appeal. The position reports to the Administrative Presiding Justice.

Jobs at the 6th District & elsewhere

The Sixth District Court of Appeal has openings for two research attorneys (one in Justice Bromberg's chambers). Info about all such openings appears here.

LASC Appellate Division seeks appellate lawyers

Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division Seeks Attorneys to Represent Indigent Defendants

The Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division is seeking qualified attorneys to represent indigent defendants. Willing attorneys who are approved to serve on the Appellate Division’s panel provide access to justice to some of the most vulnerable litigants by representing indigent defendants who seek to appeal judgments rendered in misdemeanor cases. The Appellate Division is continually seeking experienced attorneys who are willing to serve on the Appellate Division’s Panel of Appointed Attorneys.

Upon Appellate Division approval, appointed attorneys are compensated by the Professional Appointee Court Expenditure (PACE) program at a rate of $100/hour and are appointed to represent indigent defendants via an alphabetical rotation process.

Details and application info here.

City of L.A. looking for a civil appellate attorney

The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is adding an additional civil appellate attorney to its roster. If you are interested in such a position, or know someone who is, the position posting with the position information is here.

Work in J.Goorvitch's chambers!

Associate Justice Steve Goorvitch of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, located in Los Angeles, is accepting applications for an appellate attorney.
The attorney will work collaboratively with the justice in the preparation of opinions. The types of cases presented are varied, and the attorney will get civil and criminal law experience at the appellate level in an environment providing significant responsibility and challenge. Many attorneys work a hybrid schedule that includes working both remotely and in person. Attorneys may work remotely. The start date is flexible. Applicants should indicate in the cover letter whether they wish to be considered for an indefinite term, a two-year term clerkship, or both positions.

4/1 attorney openings

Division I in San Diego is accepting applications for an Appellate Court Attorney (Level B– Senior). The job can be found at Appellate Court Chambers Attorney (Level B - Senior) OR Appellate Court Central Staff Attorney (Level B - Senior) | District Courts of Appeal. The application deadline is at 5:00 p.m. on June 5, 2026.

LASC Appellate Division seeks attorneys

 

Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division Seeks Attorneys to Represent Indigent Defendants Appellate Division’s Panel of Appointed Attorneys Provide Access to Justice to the Most Vulnerable Litigants The Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Appellate Division is seeking qualified attorneys to represent indigent defendants. Willing attorneys who are approved to serve on the Appellate Division’s panel provide access to justice to some of the most vulnerable litigants by representing indigent defendants who seek to appeal judgments rendered in misdemeanor cases. The Appellate Division is continually seeking experienced attorneys who are willing to serve on the Appellate Division’s Panel of Appointed Attorneys. “The 14th Amendment demands equal legal representation for both rich and poor at every significant stage of a case, including on appeal,” said Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division Patti Jo McKay. APPOINTED ATTORNEYS: Upon Appellate Division approval, appointed attorneys are compensated by the Professional Appointee Court Expenditure (PACE) program at a rate of $100/hour and are appointed to represent indigent defendants via an alphabetical rotation process. Occasionally, and in the interest of judicial economy and efficiency, an attorney may be appointed out of order when there is a related pending appeal for the same defendant. PREREQUISITES: Attorneys interested in an appointment to represent indigent defendants are required to: Be a member in good standing of the California State Bar. Possess strong research and writing skills. Have an understanding of criminal law and procedure. Be familiar with the appeals process, including the California Rules of Court and the Superior Court of Los Angeles County’s Local Rules governing misdemeanor appeals. Commit to adhering to the PACE policies and protocols. Consent to electronically receiving criminal appeals and appellate documents, including the Record on Appeal, in an electronic format. APPLICATION MATERIALS: Attorneys who meet the prerequisites should prepare the following: A cover letter detailing their education, training and experience in handling criminal law cases, including jury and court trials, and appeals; A current resume with references; and Two recent writing samples. Please electronically send the above application materials to: Patti Jo McKay, Presiding Judge, Appellate Division Care of Lynette Brooks at LBrooks@lacourt.org.

LA City Attorney Office seeks appellate lawyer

The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, one of the nation's largest municipal law offices, has an opening for an appellate lawyer. The selected attorney will be responsible for handling writs and appeals on behalf of the City and its individual employees in federal and state appellate courts, including drafting all briefs and appearing at oral argument. Apply here.

Half-Time Research Atty job in Div. 7

Associate Justice John L. Segal of Division Seven of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, located in Los Angeles, is accepting applications for a half-time judicial chambers attorney. The attorney will work collaboratively with the justice and other judicial attorneys to prepare opinions in a wide variety of cases. The attorney’s duties will include reviewing appellate briefs and trial records, researching and analyzing the law, identifying issues that may require further briefing, helping prepare draft opinions, reviewing and proofreading opinions by the justice, and performing other tasks assigned by the justice. Apply online at http://www.courts.ca.gov/careers and search for JO#6566.

 

Call for Appellate Attorneys to handle Capital Appeals

The California Supreme Court is seeking qualified attorneys to accept appointment in capital appeals. These cases represent some of the most complex, consequential, and intellectually demanding work in the criminal legal system—and offer a chance to make a meaningful contribution to justice in California. This work is compensated at pre-set hourly rates. For more information and to apply, please check out CAP-SF’s website: https://www.capsf.org/public/Announcements/2025/recruitment.aspx

Externships in 4/1

Law students interested in an externship in 4/1 should visit this page here.
Applying for Judicial Externships

The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One offers an extern program for law students. Externs are selected by the individual justices with whom they then work for 20 to 40 hours per week during a school semester/trimester. The program, including an orientation and periodic group meetings, is administered by the Lead Appellate Court Attorney or designee acting as the Extern Coordinator. Students who participate as part of their school's extern program may earn course credit. The court's extern program is conducted during three sessions each year: Spring (January-May), Summer (June-August) and Fall (September-December).

The extern program provides law students with a clinical educational experience at the intermediate appellate level. Each student works in chambers, under supervision, in a role similar to that of a judicial staff attorney. The program offers judicial and staff accessibility and the opportunity to hone research and writing skills. To complement the practical experience, lectures are given on opinion writing and various substantive topics.

The court welcomes students from law schools around the San Diego Area and the country who choose to complement their law school coursework with judicial externships. Applications may be submitted online through the portal below, or candidates may submit a cover letter, resume, official transcript, and writing sample by mail or email. Email applications should be addressed to James Dalessio, Extern Coordinator, at 4dca1externcoordinator@jud.ca.gov Mail applications should be directed to Mr. Dalessio at Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division One, 750 B Street, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92101.

Qualified candidates will be chosen to participate in the interview phase and selections will then be made. Letters of recommendation are not required but will be accepted.

Attorney job in 4/1

Division One, San Diego is Recruiting for an Appellate Court Attorney (Level D-Senior) -- Division One in San Diego is accepting applications for an Appellate Court Attorney (Level D – Senior). The job can be found here. The posting is open until October 30, 2025.

CSBA--Court Surety Bond Agency has posted Appeal Bonds in a World of Nuclear Verdicts and Higher Interest Rates

Bloomberg Law has Judiciary Panel Debates Easing Bar Admissions at Appeals Courts

Federal judges warned that a proposal to streamline bar admissions rules across the appeals courts could make it harder to discipline attorneys, though lawyers raised concerns that some circuit requirements can burden nonprofits and firms.

The debate over the proposal came during a Wednesday meeting in Washington of the Judicial Conference’s advisory committee on appellate rules, which considers potential changes to rules governing the federal appeals courts.

It stemmed from a request by the National Women’s Law Center, a nonprofit that advocates for gender equality, for the committee to consider making bar admissions rules more uniform across the circuits. Disparate rules have left the nonprofit “scrambling” to call clerk’s offices to clarify procedures to list attorneys on amicus briefs, according to the nonprofit’s proposal.

Research Attorney job in 2D8

Division Eight of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, located in Los Angeles, is accepting applications for an appellate attorney.
This attorney will serve in a justice’s chambers and work collaboratively with the justice in preparing opinions. The types of cases presented are varied, and the attorney will work on both civil and criminal appeals in an environment providing significant responsibility and challenge. The attorney’s duties will include: reviewing appellate briefs and trial court records; thoroughly researching and analyzing existing law; drafting clear, concise, and well-reasoned memoranda and draft opinions; reviewing and proofreading opinions; making recommendations regarding the resolution of legal issues pending before the court; and performing other tasks the justice assigns. Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills are mandatory, along with a sense of collegiality, a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a dedication to excellence and public service. Candidates must be able to work independently on complex legal issues in many different areas of the law, organize their own work, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Desirable qualifications include state or federal clerkship experience and familiarity with appellate practice. Salary is based on qualifications and experience. View here for more information

Capital appeals application revised

Court Approves Revised Application for Appointment to Capital Appeal and Approves New, Shorter Application for Subsequent Appointments -- The California Supreme Court has approved a revised application form for use by attorneys seeking appointment by the court to represent indigent defendants in capital appeals, as well as a new, shorter application form for use by attorneys who seek an additional appointment.

1st DCA attorney position / TAP director

Appellate jobs news:

Law.com LawJobs has: The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District in San Francisco is accepting applications for a central staff attorney vacancy. A regular full-time Appellate Court Attorney position will be staffed at Level B, Level C, Level D, or Senior. Minimum qualifications: active CA bar membership and 2 years of post-bar experience. Experience in criminal and/or civil appellate practice is desirable. Candidates should possess superior research/writing skills and the ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically. Please see the job announcement #: 6482 for specific levels and salary ranges. For information and an application, call 415-865-7369 or visit: www.courts.ca.gov/careers. To ensure the earliest consideration, please apply by August 29, 2025.

The Appellate Project is seeking a Program Director -- We’re currently hiring a Program Director to help guide TAP through its next phase of growth. Click here to view the full job description and apply.

New Supreme Court Fellows Begin Term

Four new U.S. Supreme Court Fellows are set to begin their 2025-2026 fellowships in September.

 

TAP is hiring a Program Director

 

Apply now: Program Director, The Appellate Project

If you're passionate about building a more just and representative judiciary — and want to join a team empowering the next generation of appellate leaders — we’d love to hear from you. Please help us spread the word! Forward this posting to anyone who might be a good fit. We especially encourage mission-driven legal professionals with demonstrated entrepreneurial skills to apply, even if they don’t have the full 10 years of experience. We value creativity, leadership, and impact, regardless of the path taken to achieve them. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

4/2 seeks Librarian

The Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Two in Riverside is accepting applications for Law Librarian. The job can be found on the Law Librarian | District Courts of Appeal. The posting is open until August 30, 2025.

JA Opening in J.Feinberg's chambers

Job Announcement - Judicial Assistant to Appellate Justice
Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District JO# 6455
Judicial Assistant to Appellate Justice $6,471 - $7,867 per month

The Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, Sacramento, California, is accepting applications for a Judicial Assistant to Appellate Justice Aimee Feinberg. The level of appointment and starting salary will be commensurate with experience. Duties include a variety of complex and confidential paralegal, legal secretarial and office administrative duties for an appellate court justice. For a complete job announcement and application, go to http://www.courts.ca.gov/careers.htm, or call 916-653-8038. Applications are due no later than Monday, August 4, 2025, at 5 pm. EOE