Supreme Court & Appellate Associate

Job Overview:
A law firm is seeking an experienced Supreme Court & Appellate Associate to join its prestigious nationwide appellate practice. The role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile and bet-the-company appeals, including in the U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and various state courts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in legal research, writing, and interpersonal skills, with a desire to contribute to a team-oriented environment focused on excellence.

Location:

• New York City, NY

Duties:

• Work on a diverse docket of complex, high-profile appeals, including cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal and state courts.
• Participate in appellate practice, including legal research, drafting of briefs, and preparing arguments for oral presentations.
• Contribute to “appellate eyes at trial” practice, focusing on preserving critical issues at the trial court level for appeal.
• Collaborate with a team of skilled attorneys, including former Supreme Court and appellate court clerks.
• Provide strategic legal guidance on the most challenging legal matters facing clients.
• Engage in various facets of appellate litigation, including client interaction, drafting motions, and working with trial teams to preserve key issues.
• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients and colleagues.

Requirements:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials.
• At least 1-3 years of appellate experience, preferably with a judicial clerkship at the federal or state appellate court level.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral communication skills.
• A proactive and highly motivated individual with a passion for appellate law.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work on high-stakes, complex legal matters in a fast-paced setting.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

Certifications:

• Admission to the State Bar (state-specific based on location).

Skills:

• Superior legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work on complex appellate cases and contribute to trial court strategy.
• Experience in high-profile and complex litigation.
• Highly motivated and able to work independently.
• Team-oriented with excellent collaboration skills.

Benefits:

• Annual discretionary merit bonus based on performance.
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Robust mental well-being benefits.
• Child, family, elder, and pet care benefits.
• Short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Health savings accounts (with applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and long-term care insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Generous Flexible Time Off (FTO) program and paid holidays.
• Parental leave benefits.

Substantial billable hours is the primary way to get the big bucks and partnership consideration at this large New York firm. With West Coast roots, but not attitude, these New York lawyers work hard. Competitive and fast-paced, this firm excels across practice areas, but is doing some particularly interesting VC work. Although a type A environment to be sure, the atmosphere is still friendly, albeit without a lot of casual partner/associate interaction. Partner/associate relationships are strong in professional terms, however, with excellent marks for training and a fairly regimented associate development program. Now competing to be one of New York's finest, this firm is increasingly selective in associate hiring.