The Pro Se Staff Attorney works closely with the district judges and chambers staff to resolve litigation filed by pro se prisoners and detainees, including § 1983 and post-conviction habeas matters. The position involves performing initial case screening, preparing draft opinions and orders, and overseeing procedural compliance. This position is on-site in our Richmond division.
Summary
The Pro Se Staff Attorney works closely with the district judges and chambers staff to resolve litigation filed by pro se prisoners and detainees, including § 1983 and post-conviction habeas matters. The position involves performing initial case screening, preparing draft opinions and orders, and overseeing procedural compliance. This position is on-site in our Richmond division.
Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.
Qualifications
Law school graduate (top quarter or law review required), with at least three years of professional legal experience. Strong preference for attorneys with federal clerkship experience and/or experience working on § 1983 and habeas corpus issues. Computer proficiency in Windows applications, word processing ability in Microsoft Word, and experience with computer-assisted legal research are required. Applicants must have the ability to analyze complex legal issues and understand a wide range of legal concepts, principles, and practices as they relate to prisoner and post-conviction litigation; perform legal research and write accurately and expeditiously; communicate complex issues clearly with a professional demeanor; set priorities; and manage work with limited supervision. Applicants must be detail-oriented and possess excellent organizational skills.
Education
Law school graduate (top quarter or law review required).
Additional information
Positions with the United States District Court Clerk's Office are Excepted Service appointments.
Excepted service appointments are at will and can be terminated with or without cause by the Court.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the job announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date, if a closing date is shown; any of these actions may occur without any prior written or other type of notice.
The United States District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All applications will be reviewed to identify the best qualified candidates. Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified. Applicants not selected for an interview will not receive notice concerning the status of their application. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to start as soon as possible.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by June 1, 2026.
The application package should be sent to: The Honorable Mark R. Colombell, United States Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 701 E Broad Street, Suite 5212, Richmond, VA 23219. Alternatively, you may email your application materials in one PDF document to: Mara_Shingleton@vaed.uscourts.gov.
US District Court and US Probation Office - Eastern District of Virginia
701 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
US
Next steps
Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified. Applicants not selected for an interview will not receive notice concerning the status of their application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by June 1, 2026.
The application package should be sent to: The Honorable Mark R. Colombell, United States Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 701 E Broad Street, Suite 5212, Richmond, VA 23219. Alternatively, you may email your application materials in one PDF document to: Mara_Shingleton@vaed.uscourts.gov.
US District Court and US Probation Office - Eastern District of Virginia
701 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
US
Next steps
Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified. Applicants not selected for an interview will not receive notice concerning the status of their application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
