Research Attorney Jobs
Research attorney jobs are open across law firms, courts, government agencies, and legal publishers, at every level from entry-level to senior counsel, with specializations in litigation support, legal writing, and statutory analysis. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Job Description Summary
The Staff Attorney ("SA") in the Office of General Counsel ("OGC"), the in-house office that provides legal support and guidance to the University of Maryland, College Park, the State of Maryland's flagship, Research 1 university. The University's research enterprise is a complex, expanding, and fascinating portfolio. It supports groundbreaking work that improves the lives of individuals and benefits society. The University's procurement and business services, in support of the University's mission of excellence in education, research, outreach and collaborative partnership with the greater community, administers contracts, procures facilities, goods and services, and ensures university business is conducted in a fair and open environment, in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The SA is responsible for providing legal counsel for the University's research and related business operations, working with faculty and staff centrally and in the University's 12 colleges and schools. The SA may also be asked to support and advise on other projects and issues related to other University initiatives.The SA must have expertise and experience with drafting and negotiating research and research-related agreements, including federal government grants and contracts, and advising on compliance with the terms of such agreements and related regulatory requirements. While the SA will primarily provide counsel on research administration matters, the SA may also provide counsel on research safety; regulatory compliance; public ethics; intellectual property; procurement; and other matters for academic and operational units. The SA should have a solid working knowledge of legal, academic, and operational issues relevant to the operations of a research-intensive public university, and must develop new subject matter expertise as client needs dictate. The SA advises and supports University clients, including the President's staff, Vice Presidents, Deans, Department Chairs, sponsored projects office, and research compliance offices. The SA handles a range of transactional matters supporting both academic and operational units as assigned by the Vice President and General Counsel ("VPGC"), Deputy General Counsel ("DGC"), and Research Transactions & Regulatory Law Practice Group Lead. This position teams with and supports the Associate General Counsels, DGC and/or the VPGC on select projects. The SA assists clients to develop processes, documents, and forms to optimize business approaches; performs legal research involving federal and state laws, administrative regulations, other administrative guidance, and case law; advises clients on strategy; drafts and negotiates agreements; and supports regulatory compliance in a variety of contexts. The SA will provide other legal services to University clients as directed by the VPGC, DGC, and Research Transactions & Regulatory Law Practice Group Lead.
Physical Demands: Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Ability to travel to main campus and off-site meetings.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience.
OTHER: Admission to a state or DC Bar, and eligibility for admission to the Maryland Bar within twelve (12) months of hire.
Knowledge of federal and state applicable laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.
Additional Job Details
Preferences:
Experience with federal government contracts and/or research administration at a federal agency, university, or government contractor. Skill in the use of Google Workplace products.
Required Application Materials:
Resume, Cover Letter, List of three (3) professional references
Best Consideration Date:
December 3, 2026
Posting Close Date:
N/A
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Job Risks
Not Applicable to This PositionFinancial Disclosure Required
YesFor more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website .
Department
PRES-Office of General CounselWorker Sub-Type
Staff RegularSalary Range
$130,800 - $156,960Benefits Summary
.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
Resources
Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online
Search Firm Managed Recruitment
There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm.
Job Description Summary
The Staff Attorney ("SA") in the Office of General Counsel ("OGC"), the in-house office that provides legal support and guidance to the University of Maryland, College Park, the State of Maryland's flagship, Research 1 university. The University's research enterprise is a complex, expanding, and fascinating portfolio. It supports groundbreaking work that improves the lives of individuals and benefits society. The University's procurement and business services, in support of the University's mission of excellence in education, research, outreach and collaborative partnership with the greater community, administers contracts, procures facilities, goods and services, and ensures university business is conducted in a fair and open environment, in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The SA is responsible for providing legal counsel for the University's research and related business operations, working with faculty and staff centrally and in the University's 12 colleges and schools. The SA may also be asked to support and advise on other projects and issues related to other University initiatives.The SA must have expertise and experience with drafting and negotiating research and research-related agreements, including federal government grants and contracts, and advising on compliance with the terms of such agreements and related regulatory requirements. While the SA will primarily provide counsel on research administration matters, the SA may also provide counsel on research safety; regulatory compliance; public ethics; intellectual property; procurement; and other matters for academic and operational units. The SA should have a solid working knowledge of legal, academic, and operational issues relevant to the operations of a research-intensive public university, and must develop new subject matter expertise as client needs dictate. The SA advises and supports University clients, including the President's staff, Vice Presidents, Deans, Department Chairs, sponsored projects office, and research compliance offices. The SA handles a range of transactional matters supporting both academic and operational units as assigned by the Vice President and General Counsel ("VPGC"), Deputy General Counsel ("DGC"), and Research Transactions & Regulatory Law Practice Group Lead. This position teams with and supports the Associate General Counsels, DGC and/or the VPGC on select projects. The SA assists clients to develop processes, documents, and forms to optimize business approaches; performs legal research involving federal and state laws, administrative regulations, other administrative guidance, and case law; advises clients on strategy; drafts and negotiates agreements; and supports regulatory compliance in a variety of contexts. The SA will provide other legal services to University clients as directed by the VPGC, DGC, and Research Transactions & Regulatory Law Practice Group Lead.
Physical Demands: Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Ability to travel to main campus and off-site meetings.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience.
OTHER: Admission to a state or DC Bar, and eligibility for admission to the Maryland Bar within twelve (12) months of hire.
Knowledge of federal and state applicable laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.
Additional Job Details
Preferences:
Experience with federal government contracts and/or research administration at a federal agency, university, or government contractor. Skill in the use of Google Workplace products.
Required Application Materials:
Resume, Cover Letter, List of three (3) professional references
Best Consideration Date:
December 3, 2026
Posting Close Date:
N/A
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Job Risks
Not Applicable to This PositionFinancial Disclosure Required
YesFor more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website .
Department
PRES-Office of General CounselWorker Sub-Type
Staff RegularSalary Range
$130,800 - $156,960Benefits Summary
.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
Resources
Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online
Search Firm Managed Recruitment
There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm.
Research Attorney Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research attorney jobs.
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active bar admission
- Advanced legal research skills using Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law
- Demonstrated ability to draft clear, well-reasoned legal memoranda and briefs
- Experience with statutory interpretation, case law analysis, and regulatory research
- Strong citation accuracy using Bluebook or jurisdiction-specific citation standards
- Prior clerkship, law review, or supervised legal research experience preferred
Tips for Your Research Attorney Job Search
Tailor your writing samples strategically
Research attorneys are hired for their written analysis, so the samples you submit carry more weight than your resume. Choose samples that match the employer's practice area, whether appellate briefs, regulatory memos, or statutory interpretation, and trim them to under 15 pages.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research attorney openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by research methodology
Job listings for research attorneys differ significantly: some emphasize Westlaw and Lexis proficiency, others focus on legislative history or administrative records. Read each posting closely and mirror its specific methodology language in your resume and cover letter.
Highlight clerk or chamber experience prominently
Clerkship experience signals exactly the skills research attorney roles demand. If you clerked, move it to the top of your resume, name the judge and jurisdiction, and describe the research and drafting tasks you owned, not just your title.
Prepare a legal reasoning walkthrough for interviews
Many research attorney interviews include a live research or writing exercise. Practice explaining your analytical process out loud: how you identify the controlling authority, weigh conflicting precedents, and structure a memo for a non-specialist reader.
Negotiate start date and writing assignment terms
Research attorney offers sometimes include initial writing assignments or probationary review periods. Before accepting, clarify exactly what deliverables are expected in the first 90 days and confirm whether the role is billable, salaried, or project-based.
Research Attorney Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research attorneys?
The most active employers for research attorneys right now are Parnall Law Firm, HD Law Partners, and Illinois Courts, and the most openings are in Ohio, Florida, and Alabama, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially consistent at appellate courts, government agencies, and large litigation practices.
How many research attorney jobs are remote?
About 75% of research attorney openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the written and analytical nature of the role. Sub-areas with the highest remote share include legal publishing, regulatory research, and academic support, while court-based and chamber positions almost always require in-person work.
How do you become a research attorney?
You become a research attorney by earning a Juris Doctor, passing the bar in your target jurisdiction, and building a record of strong legal writing and research. Clerkship experience, law review membership, or a writing-intensive internship at a government agency or legal aid organization all signal the analytical depth employers look for in this role.
How do you get hired as a research attorney with little experience?
Focus on writing quality over work history. A polished, well-reasoned writing sample from a clinic, moot court, or law review note can outperform a thin resume. Apply to entry-level staff attorney or law clerk roles at courts and legal aid offices, where research and writing are the primary criteria and formal practice experience is less critical than demonstrated analytical ability.
What does the research attorney interview process look like?
Most research attorney interviews involve a screening call with a hiring coordinator, followed by a panel interview with senior attorneys who will ask you to walk through a past research project or explain how you approach a novel legal question. Many employers also assign a timed writing or research exercise before or after the panel to assess your analysis and citation accuracy under realistic conditions.
Where can I find and apply to research attorney jobs?
You can find and apply to research attorney jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your practice area, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each position that fits.
See All 30 Research Attorney Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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