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Apprentice Lawyer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Apprentice Lawyer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$12

$22

$38

How much do apprentice lawyer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 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 an apprentice lawyer?

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 does an apprentice lawyer do?

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 key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an apprentice lawyer?

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 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.

How to get into an apprentice lawyer apprenticeship?

To become an apprentice lawyer, candidates typically need to complete relevant legal qualifications such as a law degree or a legal apprenticeship program, and often must pass a professional skills course. Gaining experience through internships or paralegal roles can also improve chances of securing an apprenticeship with a law firm or legal organization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Lawyer jobs in Reston, VA are:

Apprentice Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Apprentice Lawyer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,654 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Supervisory Attorney-Advisor

Department of Transportation

Washington, DC • On-site

$169K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Assist in the supervision and management of all legal matters related to the Department of Transportation's program operations.

  • Work closely with the Assistant General Counsel for Operations to support legal functions and responsibilities.

  • Support the Department of Transportation's program operations matters through legal oversight and management.

California Conservation Corps rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

547th of 856 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

The Supervisory Attorney Adviser for Operations Law (the Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Operations) is the principal supervisory and managerial assistant to the Assistant General Counsel for Operations. Working closely with the Assistant General Counsel for Operations, the Supervisory Attorney assists in the supervision and management of all legal matters related to the Department of Transportation's program operations matters.

Qualifications:

To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:

GRADE 15 -  A law degree or have completed a structured, multi-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a practicing attorney or judge equivalent, bar membership in good standing, and at least 4 years of professional attorney experience.

  • Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or have completed a structured, multi-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a practicing attorney or judge equivalent, AND at least FOUR (4) years professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature.
  • Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process. 
  •  Administrative Law - Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements. 
  •  Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. 
  •  Oral Communication (*) - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. 
  • Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.


Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.  

Employment Type: OTHER

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