Executive Service
Background Check:
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.
Who we are and what we do:
The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals is one of the state's two intermediate appellate courts and hears appeals in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, as well as certain post-conviction matters. The Court reviews the written record and the parties' briefs and, in many cases, hears oral argument; it does not conduct trials, and no witnesses, juries, or testimony are presented. Decisions of the Court may be appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court by permission, except in capital cases, which follow an automatic review process.
The Court sits in three grand divisions across the state. The Western Section is based at the courthouse in Jackson and serves the westernmost counties of Tennessee. As part of the judicial branch, one of the three fundamental divisions of Tennessee state government, the Court plays an essential role in the fair and consistent administration of criminal justice, and its staff are expected to understand, support, and uphold that role.
Job Overview:
The Staff Attorney performs highly responsible professional legal work in support of the judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Western Section. Working under the direction of the Court, the Staff Attorney reviews motions and drafts proposed orders; screens appeals for procedural and jurisdictional problems; reviews and makes recommendations on applications for extraordinary appeals; and provides legal guidance to the appellate court clerks. A substantial portion of the work involves reviewing the records in capital and other complex cases and preparing clear, well-reasoned memoranda for the Court.
This role calls for a careful, disciplined attorney who manages a heavy caseload without sacrificing quality, exercises sound judgment and discretion, and communicates professionally with judges, attorneys, court staff, and members of the public. The Staff Attorney approaches every matter neutrally, avoids any advocacy, and handles sensitive information with confidentiality and integrity.
Key Responsibilities:
Motion and Order Practice: Review all motions filed with the Court and draft proposed orders. Conduct a daily review of motions filed on the C-Track case management system and promptly notify the assigned judge of any matter that needs to be addressed.
Case Screening and Analysis: Screen appeals for procedural and jurisdictional problems, and review and make recommendations on applications for extraordinary appeals.
Record Review and Memoranda: Review the court files in capital and other assigned cases and prepare clear, concise, well-reasoned memoranda, draft orders, and draft opinions that distill complex legal issues into accurate, accessible analysis.
Guidance to Court Staff: Provide sound legal guidance to the appellate court clerks and communicate clearly and respectfully with attorneys regarding procedure and court practices.
Point of Contact: Serve, as needed, as a professional and courteous point of contact for the public, maintaining professionalism and diplomacy in all interactions.
Oral Argument and On-Site Presence: Be present at oral argument and at the Jackson courthouse at the discretion and need of the Court.
Caseload Management: Manage a heavy caseload efficiently while maintaining high-quality work, prioritizing tasks well and using court computer systems, including C-Track, to keep the workload organized.
Responsiveness: Respond promptly to inquiries from judges and attorneys, meet deadlines consistently, and communicate clearly about timing and expectations.
Knowledge & Skills
Superior legal research and writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and well-reasoned memoranda, orders, and opinions, and to distill complex legal issues into accurate, accessible analysis.
Sound judgment and discretion, including the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and integrity and to approach each case neutrally, without advocacy.
Thoroughness and attention to detail across every stage of the work.
Strong time-management skills, with the ability to manage a heavy caseload, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines consistently.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to tailor communication to the needs of judges, attorneys, and court staff, and to work well with each of them.
Responsiveness and reliability, including prompt responses to inquiries and clear communication about timing and expectations.
Professional presence, with the poise to serve as a point of contact for the public while maintaining professionalism, diplomacy, and courtesy.
Proficiency with court computer systems, including the ability to use the C-Track case management system, or the ability to learn it quickly, to keep the court's workload organized.
Commitment to the Court as an institution, including an understanding of and respect for the Court's role in the criminal justice system and a commitment to promote that role throughout their employment.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required minimum qualifications:
Applicant must include writing sample with their resume. No more than three pages.
Graduation from an accredited law school and a current, valid license to practice law in Tennessee.
A minimum of three (3) years of legal experience is preferred.
This position requires a criminal background check; you will be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered.
Preferred qualifications:
The following qualifications are helpful but not required.
The Court welcomes applications from candidates who bring some, but not all, of these, and encourages qualified applicants to apply even if they do not meet every preferred item.
Criminal law experience is highly preferred.
Experience within the appellate system, including prior clerkship or staff attorney experience, is beneficial but not required.
A strong appellate background in another practice area will be given serious consideration.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
