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.
 

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's research attorney positions are filled through July 2026. Judge Warner will begin accepting applications for the 2026-2028 term in fall 2025. 

Judge Amy Fellows Cline: Judge Cline's research attorney positions are filled through July 2026. Judge Cline will begin accepting applications for a research attorney for the 2026–2028 term in fall 2025.

Judge Lesley Ann Isherwood: Judge Isherwood's research attorney positions are filled through July 2027. Judge Isherwood will begin accepting applications for the 2027-2029 term in fall 2026.

Judge Jacy J. Hurst: No vacancies.

Judge Angela D. Coble: No vacancies.

Judge Rachel Pickering: No vacancies. 

Externships and internships

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 and externship programs for law students who want to volunteer or work for the court over the summer and winter breaks. We will post information that describes how and when to apply for these positions on this website, at local law schools, and on the Court Opportunity Recruitment for All, or CORA, service hosted by the National Center for State Courts.  
 

More information

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

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

785-291-3125