Research positions and externships

Research attorney positions

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

Each Supreme Court justice 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 justice. 
 

Terms of service

In general, a research attorney's first position is classified as a research attorney I. After working as a research attorney I for two years, some move to a research attorney II position. 

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 Justice Marla Luckert: No vacancies. 

Justice Eric S. Rosen: No vacancies.

Justice Dan Biles: No vacancies.

Justice Caleb Stegall: No vacancies. 

Justice Evelyn Wilson: No vacancies.

Justice K.J. Wall Jr.: No vacancies.

Justice Melissa Standridge: No vacancies.

Externships and internships

Supreme Court justices may also hire law students to work for the court as paid or volunteer interns or externs  during the summer or throughout the school year. The Supreme Court will post information on this website and at local law schools to explain how and when to apply for these positions.

More information

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

Tiffany Fisher
tiffany.fisher@kscourts.org 
785-296-5817