Pro Se Staff Attorney

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.

Duties and responsibilities include: taking primary responsibility for and efficiently managing the flow of a portion of the Court's pro se detainee and prisoner dockets; providing substantive legal analysis of pleadings and making recommendations directly to the district judges regarding the dispositions of motions; drafting appropriate orders and opinions for review by district judges; providing information to district judges and Court staff on legal issues unique to prisoner litigation; evaluating existing procedures and developing and implementing improved processes for the adjudication of the Court's pro se prisoner litigation; collaborating with other staff attorneys and chambers law clerks; and performing other duties as assigned.

Employees must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Employees will be hired provisionally pending the results of a background investigation. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.