Research Positions and Externships

Research attorney positions

Court of Appeals judges hire lawyers to work for them as research attorneys. Research attorneys serve in a position similar to what other courts might call a law clerk, elbow clerk, chambers attorney, or staff attorney. The Court of Appeals uses the title research attorney because it requires its law clerks to be licensed to practice law in Kansas. 

Each Court of Appeals judge hires two research attorneys for terms of varying length. There are also research attorneys who work in other capacities under the direction of the chief judge. 
 

Terms of service

In general, research attorneys start at level 1 and move to level 2 after working as a research attorney for two years. 

Terms typically begin in August, after the bar exam, and last two years. But there are frequent openings at other times of the year, and some research attorneys continue working for the court for more than two years.

If you have questions about research attorney positions with the Court of Appeals, contact:

Abby Schieber (she/her)
schiebera@kscourts.org

Positions available

When a research attorney position is open, it will be listed here and in Court Careers.

Chief Judge Karen Arnold-Burger: No vacancies. 

Judge Henry W. Green Jr.: No vacancies.

Judge Thomas E. Malone: No vacancies.

Judge Stephen D. Hill: No vacancies.

Judge G. Gordon Atcheson: No vacancies.

Judge David E. Bruns: No vacancies.

Judge Kim R. Schroeder: No vacancies.

Judge Kathryn A. Gardner: No vacancies.

Judge Sarah E. Warner: Judge Warner will begin accepting applications in fall 2023 for a research attorney for the 2024–2026 term.

Judge Amy Fellows Cline: No vacancies.

Judge Lesley Ann Isherwood: No vacancies.

Judge Jacy J. Hurst: No vacancies.

Judge Angela D. Coble: No vacancies.

Judge Rachel Pickering: No vacancies. 
 

Externships

Several Court of Appeals judges hire law students to work as volunteer externs for the court during the summer or throughout the school year. The Court of Appeals also conducts internship-externship programs for law students interested in volunteering or working for the court over summer break and winter break. The Court of Appeals will post information on how to apply for these positions on this website and at the local law schools. If you are interested in working as an extern, discuss opportunities for externships with your law school. 

For more information or to ask questions about these opportunities, contact:

Abby Schieber (she/her)
schiebera@kscourts.org 

785-291-3125