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Assistant Attorney Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

VA

$80K - $81K/yr

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney - Entry Level Location: Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Schedule: Full-time | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Starting Salary: $80,705 to $81,905 (effective ...

VA · On-site

$90K - $94K/yr

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Location: Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Schedule: Full-time | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Minimum Starting Salary: $90,000 to $94,000 (effective August 1, ...

Family Law Paralegal

Herndon, VA

$51K - $71K/yr

The Paralegal will assist attorney(s) by providing clerical and research support services including document preparation and review; interviewing clients and witnesses; research, investigations, and ...

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Assistant Attorney information

See Virginia salary details

$52.5K

$85.7K

$137.3K

How much do assistant attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant attorney in Virginia is $85,703.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,400.00 and $94,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do you need to be an assistant attorney?

To become an assistant attorney, candidates typically need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and must pass the state bar examination. Strong legal research, writing skills, and relevant experience are also important for this role.

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

To thrive as an Assistant Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as case management software, is typically required. Excellent communication, time management, and negotiation skills help you stand out in handling cases and interacting with clients and colleagues. These skills ensure effective legal representation, efficient case handling, and positive outcomes for clients and the organization.

What does an assistant do for a lawyer?

An assistant attorney supports lawyers by conducting legal research, preparing documents, managing case files, and handling administrative tasks. They help ensure cases are organized and deadlines are met, often using legal software and maintaining confidentiality.

What are some common challenges Assistant Attorneys face when managing multiple cases simultaneously?

Assistant Attorneys often handle a high volume of cases at once, which can present challenges in prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining attention to detail. Effective time management and organizational skills are crucial for balancing court appearances, legal research, and client communications. Collaborating with senior attorneys and support staff can help distribute workload and ensure thorough case preparation. Regularly updating case files and proactively communicating with team members also helps prevent important details from slipping through the cracks.

What is the difference between Assistant Attorney vs Paralegal?

AspectAssistant AttorneyParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar AdmissionAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or related field
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, government agencies, corporate legal departmentsLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Employer & Industry UsageLegal industry, government, corporate sectorLegal support roles, law firms, courts
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Assistant Attorneys are licensed legal professionals with a Juris Doctor degree and bar admission, often working directly on legal cases. Paralegals support attorneys by conducting research, preparing documents, and managing case files but are not licensed to practice law. While both roles work in legal environments, Assistant Attorneys have more responsibilities and legal authority compared to Paralegals.

How to make $500,000 as a lawyer?

To earn $500,000 as an assistant attorney, professionals typically need to gain extensive experience, specialize in high-demand areas like corporate or intellectual property law, and work in large firms or secure senior positions. Developing strong negotiation skills, obtaining relevant certifications, and building a robust professional network can also contribute to higher earning potential.

Is $900 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

For an assistant attorney, earning $900 an hour is considered very high, as typical hourly rates for assistant attorneys usually range from $50 to $200 depending on experience and location. Such rates are more common for senior or specialized attorneys rather than entry-level or assistant roles.

What does an Assistant Attorney do?

An Assistant Attorney is a legal professional who works under the supervision of a senior attorney or prosecutor, often within government agencies or law firms. Their primary responsibilities include researching legal issues, preparing legal documents, conducting investigations, and representing the government or their organization in court cases. Assistant Attorneys play a crucial role in case preparation, client interviews, and presenting arguments in court, particularly for criminal and civil matters. They assist in ensuring that justice is served and that legal processes are followed correctly.
What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Assistant Attorney jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Assistant Attorney job openings:
Infographic showing various Assistant Attorney job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,703 per year, or $41.2 per hour.
Associate System Counsel, Virginia Community College System

Associate System Counsel, Virginia Community College System

Virginia Department of Human Resource Management

Richmond, VA • On-site

$103K - $164K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


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Job description

Associate System Counsel, Virginia Community College System
Job no: 5106728
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Richmond (City), Virginia
Categories: Law / Judiciary
Title: Associate System Counsel, Virginia Community College System
State Role Title: Senior Assistant Attorney General
Hiring Range: $103,000-$164,000
Pay Band: UG
Agency: Attorney General & Dept of Law
Location: Office of the Attorney General
Agency Website: https://www.oag.state.va.us/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The attorney, based in the Virginia Community College System Office in Richmond, Virginia, will serve the Attorney General under the direction of the Chief of the Education Section and the System Counsel, and will provide representation and a variety of legal services to the Virginia Community College System. The System is comprised of 23 community colleges on 40 campuses, a System Office, and a Shared Services Center.
The attorney will handle a range of legal matters, serving all community colleges of the System, the System Office, and the Shared Services Center in coordination with the other attorneys in the Office of the System Counsel. Legal areas of emphasis include employment, student matters, disability, discrimination, litigation and litigation management, risk assessment and prevention, Administrative Process Act, and Title IX. This position requires in-person interaction with mid-level and upper-level management on a routine basis. Additionally, the individual will provide legal services to the System and the Commonwealth as directed by the System Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General.
Minimum Qualifications
  • The successful candidate will have excellent analytical abilities and written and oral communication skills and be able to respond to legal requests in a timely fashion.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills are also required, including a high comfort level interacting with people individually and in group settings on a routine basis.
  • High level organizational skills and an ability to manage many projects simultaneously and work under pressure are required.

Additional Considerations
  • It is preferred that the attorney have a minimum of five years' experience, specifically in litigation with an emphasis on employment, disability, or anti-discrimination law.
  • Preference will be given to applicants with specific experience related to higher education institutions and/or government agencies.

Special Instructions
Kindly utilize the Virginia Jobs website (https://www.jobs.virginia.gov) to submit your application. Applications sent to the Recruitment email address will not be reviewed for the hiring process. We do not entertain phone calls or emails inquiring about application status; instead, please login to the PageUp/RMS system for updates on your application's status.
Contact Information
Name: OAG Recruitment
Phone: 804-786-2071
Email: recruitment@oag.state.va.us
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 22 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
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