CJA Administrative Attorney

Full-time

No

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Announcement 20 22-04
Position Title: CJA Administrative Attorney CL 27
Location: Circuit Mediation and Judicial Support Office, Fifth Circuit - New
Orleans, Louisiana
Salary Range/Grade: CL 27 ($52,967 - $86,084 per annum). The presumptive starting salary is
$66,214 for a person with appropriate work experience. A salary in
excess of this figure would be considered only for a candidate with
extraordinary, relevant experience or qualifications, and a salary history
supporting such an offer.
Closing Date: Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Applications will be considered as soon as received and will continue to
be considered until filled.
The United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Judicial Circuit, is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.
Overview:
The Circuit Mediation and Judicial Support Office (CMJSO) invites applications from qualified
persons for the position of CJA Administrative Attorney. Under the supervision of the Chief Circuit Mediator,
and working with the other members of the office, the CJA Administrative Attorney coordinates the court’s
Criminal Justice Act (CJA) voucher program and plans and executes all case-related and other functions of that
program. In addition to mediation and CJA voucher review, CMJSO assists the Chief Circuit Judge and the Fifth
Circuit in matters of judicial conduct and disability, attorney discipline, case budgeting, and pro bono
representations.
Representative Duties:
The primary responsibilities of the CJA Administrative Attorney are to conduct reasonableness review
of compensation claims that are submitted by attorneys appointed under the CJA, process vouchers using
computer database applications, and to advise judges, court staff, and appointed counsel as needed on CJA
matters. See the addendum for an overview of the CJA voucher process. Duties include: 1) preparing
memoranda to the Chief Circuit Judge and the Chief Circuit Judge’s designee(s) on CJA vouchers, 2) preparing
regular and ad hoc statistical reports; 3) providing advice/training on CJA compensation, policies, and related
subjects to appointed counsel, district court CJA staff, and judges; 4) fielding inquiries about the CJA process
and CJA vouchers, including inquiries from judges, court personnel, and appointed counsel; 5) assisting judges
on issues of CJA panel attorneys’ performance and potential disqualification, and 6) completing special projects
assigned by the Chief Circuit Mediator.
Qualifications and Requirements:
A JD degree from an accredited law school in the United States or an equivalent degree from an
institution elsewhere is required. Membership in the bar of a state or territory is not an absolute
prerequisite, but the inability to pass a bar examination would very likely be disqualifying. Criminal law
practice experience a plus.
In addition to interpretation and application of CJA statutes, plans, guidelines and policies to fee
applications in criminal cases, and other work of the court, the duties of the position include administrative
work with databases and billing review. The position requires strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
Preferred skills include:
1. Meticulous attention to detail, intelligent adherence to procedural requirements, the utmost judgment
and discretion, and absolute compliance with the office’s requirements of confidentiality.
2. Effective oral and written communication skills, including preparing, editing and proofreading
memoranda, reports and other documents to individual judges and to court staff with attention to presentation,
format, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style and dealing with telephone inquiries and conducting
conferences.
3. Ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules and regulations, policies and guidelines relevant to the
duties required of the position.
4. Proficiency in the use of computer programs, including database and word processing applications,
with sufficient keyboard skills to allow data entry to be accomplished quickly.
5. Initiative to prioritize workloads and effectively manage multiple and time-sensitive projects.
6. Ability to work harmoniously with senior administrative personnel within the court system.
Application Procedure:
Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, résumé, and salary history, via email with the required
documentation as readily accessible attachments (Word, or ) to:

Applications will be considered as soon as received and will continue to be considered until the position
is filled. Applicants should therefore submit applications as soon as possible, even if they are not immediately
available to begin work.

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