Pro Se Staff Attorney

Pro Se Staff Attorney

Position Type: Full Time, Regular

Salary Range: $91,205 – $171,043 Starting salary depends on qualifications and experience

Job Grade: JS 12 – 14

Open Date: 09/11/2026

Closing Date: Open until filled Preference given to applications received by 10/09/2026

Location: Phoenix or Tucson, Arizona

POSITION OVERVIEW

The staff attorney selected for this position will be supervised by the Supervisory Staff Attorney and will perform substantive review, research, and writing in prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus cases. The staff attorney will be responsible for preparing memoranda and proposed orders for each of the district judges to whom the cases have been assigned.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Provides substantive screening after filing of all prisoner, inmate, and detainee petitions and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints. Drafts appropriate recommendation and order for the Court's signature.
• Reviews all complaints, petitions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief.
• Performs research, as required, to assist the Court in preparing opinions.
• Evaluates present procedures to determine new innovations for handling complaints, petitions, and pleadings. Reviews the docket of pending prisoner, inmate, and detainee litigation to ensure the proper progress of such cases and advises the Court of those cases where action by the Court is appropriate.
• Compiles statistics and prepares periodic reports, as required, that reflect the status and flow of cases. Identifies problem areas, makes recommendations, and offers solutions, as required by the Court, Administrative Office, and other officials.
• Keeps abreast of changes in the law to aid the Court in adjusting to new legislation in the pro se area.
• Provides information, guidance, and advice to judges, magistrate judges, Clerk's Office staff, and other personnel working on prisoner litigation. Advises appropriate personnel on the status of particular cases.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for the position of pro se staff attorney, an individual must be a law school graduate from a law school of recognized standing, and have demonstrated one of the following accomplishments or proficiencies:

• Standing within the upper third of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools.
• Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such school.
• Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, equivalent to one of the above. Some examples of potentially acceptable equivalents include:
  • Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
  • Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
  • Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
  • Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school;* or
  • Summer experience as a law clerk to a state or local judge or law clerk experience on a continuing basis in a private firm while attending school (i.e., working one's way through college).*

  Legal Work Experience: Legal work experience is progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, in legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Major or substantial legal activities while in military service may be credited, on a month-for-month basis whether before or after graduation, but not to exceed one year if before graduation. Appointment to JSP-12 or above requires that the candidate be a member of the bar of a state, territory, or federal court of general jurisdiction. Active bar membership is preferred for this position. The table below shows the number of years of legal work experience required to qualify for appointment as a pro se staff attorney at the applicable JSP grade level.

  JSP Grade Level - Years of Legal Work Experience - Bar Membership Required

  12 - 1 - Yes

  13 - 2 - Yes

  14 - 3 - Yes

  SELECTION PROCESS

  The following factors will be used to select the best qualified candidates for interview. Respond to these factors and submit your response with the required documents listed in the How-To-Apply section. Identify each response by using the factor number.

  1. Experience in planning and organizing work, establishing priorities, and working independently. Cite specific examples of such experience, including the level of responsibility, degree of independence, methodology employed, and results achieved.
  2. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and informatively in writing. Submit a copy of a recent report, analysis, legal document, or business correspondence you have prepared.
  3. Experience in reviewing documents and extracting data. Cite examples of this experience indicating the type of documents reviewed, and the level of responsibility.

  HOW TO APPLY

  Applicants must submit the following:

  • Cover Letter that supports your work experience as it relates to the position.
  • Resume that includes complete work and salary history, and education.
  • Two most recent performance evaluations (strongly preferred). Letters of recommendation may be substituted if no evaluation is available.
  • Applicants must also attach a written response to the selection factors listed below. Please identify each response using the factor number.
  1. Experience in planning and organizing work, establishing priorities, and working independently. Cite specific examples of such experience, including the level of responsibility, degree of independence, methodology employed, and results achieved.
  2. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and informatively in writing. Submit a copy of a recent report, analysis, legal document, or business correspondence you have prepared.
  3. Experience in reviewing documents and extracting data. Cite examples of this experience indicating the type of documents reviewed, and the level of responsibility.

  Go to our web site: to submit an online application, along with the items listed above. Attachments should be submitted as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat documents. Other formats are not acceptable. Applications will be considered complete when the online application and all required attachments in proper format are received in the Human Resources Division. Applications and/or attachments received after the closing date may not be considered.

  APPLICANT INFORMATION

  The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the court may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without posting the position. Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Employees of the U.S. District Court serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at will" employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause). Federal Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to substantially the same benefits as other Federal Government employees. The initial appointment to this position is provisional pending the successful completion of the required background checks and/or investigations. The U.S. District Court is a drug-free workplace and the applicant selected will be required to participate in a drug screening test prior to employment. All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed. Participation in the interview process will be at the applicants own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided. All promotions are subject to the approval of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. The position is subject to the mandatory electronic fund transfer (EFT) participation for payment of net pay (i.e. Direct Deposit). Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, this means that an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship as explained below. Under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B),