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Apprentice Lawyer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Apprentice Lawyer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$12

$22

$38

How much do apprentice lawyer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for apprentice lawyer in Reston, VA is $22.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Apprentice Lawyer vs Paralegal?

AspectApprentice LawyerParalegal
Required CredentialsLaw degree (JD), bar exam eligibility, legal trainingAssociate degree or certificate in paralegal studies, no law degree required
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, legal departments, often under supervision of attorneysLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, supporting attorneys
Employer & Industry UsageLegal firms, government, judiciary, training role for future lawyers

Apprentice Lawyers are individuals training to become licensed attorneys, often working under supervision while completing their legal education. Paralegals assist lawyers with legal tasks but do not require a law degree or bar exam. While both roles support legal work, Apprentice Lawyers are in a training phase aiming for licensure, whereas Paralegals are support staff with specialized training but no legal license.

What are apprentice lawyers?

Apprentice lawyers, also known as law clerks or articling students in some regions, are individuals who are training to become fully qualified attorneys. They typically work under the supervision of experienced lawyers, gaining hands-on experience in legal research, drafting documents, and assisting with cases. This apprenticeship period is a critical step in legal education and is often required before taking the bar exam or obtaining a law license. The specific duties and duration of the apprenticeship can vary depending on the jurisdiction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Apprentice Lawyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Apprentice Lawyer, you need a solid understanding of legal principles, strong research and writing abilities, and typically a bachelor's degree in law or related field. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office, is often required. Attention to detail, time management, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing caseloads and interacting with clients or senior lawyers. These skills and qualities are essential for accurately supporting legal work, meeting deadlines, and building a successful legal career.

What types of tasks and responsibilities can I expect as an Apprentice Lawyer during my training period?

As an Apprentice Lawyer, you will typically assist senior lawyers with legal research, drafting documents, preparing case files, and attending client meetings or court proceedings. Your daily work may include reviewing case law, summarizing legal findings, and helping prepare briefs or contracts. You’ll also gain exposure to various legal practice areas depending on your firm, and often rotate through departments to broaden your experience. Collaboration with attorneys, paralegals, and support staff is common, and you’ll be encouraged to ask questions and seek feedback to accelerate your learning.
What are the most commonly searched types of Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Apprentice Lawyer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Apprentice Lawyer job openings:
Environmental Appeals Judge

$197K/yr

Other

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

This Senior Executive Service (SES) position is in the Office of the Administrator, Office of Civil Rights and Adjudication, Environmental Appeals Board Division. About the Office of the Administrator.
This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
Qualifications:The work of this position is classified in the General Attorney, 0905 series. Applicants must have a LL.M or J.D. degree from an accredited law school; must be admitted to practice before the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and must maintain active status as a member of the bar of one of these jurisdictions. The incumbent must have significant experience in providing legal advice and counsel at EPA; other federal, state, or local agencies; or in private practice.

All applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform in this role. Typically this experience can be found in work within this field or a field that is closely related.
As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service, applicants must also provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below.
A. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) - Mandatory for competitive applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified, unless you are a noncompetitive eligible applicant.
ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING.
Involves demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Involves demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Involves demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Involves demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Involves demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility. Leadership competencies for each ECQ can be found in OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications.
B. Technical Qualifications (TQs) - Mandatory for all applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified.
TQ 1 - Demonstrated experience in litigation involving matters arising under the federal pollution control laws and under federal or state administrative law, including substantial experience in legal brief or opinion writing, legal issue analysis, and dispute resolution under these laws.
TQ 2 - Demonstrated experience leading, managing and/or supervising senior attorneys with extensive legal experience.

Education:

You must:
(1) possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and
(2) be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
(3) be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.
NOTE: Bar membership and licensure are not required at the time of application, but you must be admitted to the bar and obtain your license before entry on duty.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.

Employment Type: OTHER