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Associate Attorney Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $65,000-$100,000 DOE Eric Buchanan & Associates is a small, teamoriented plaintiffs' firm ... We are always seeking attorneys with some experience, preferably experience in plaintiffs civil ...

Attorney (QR)

Chattanooga, TN ยท On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

Eric Buchanan & Associates is a small, team-oriented plaintiffs' firm located in Chattanooga ... We are always seeking attorneys with some experience, preferably experience in plaintiff's civil ...

Attorney

Chattanooga, TN ยท On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

Eric Buchanan & Associates is a small, team-oriented plaintiffs' firm located in Chattanooga ... We are always seeking attorneys with some experience, preferably experience in plaintiff's civil ...

Eric Buchanan & Associates is a small, teamoriented plaintiffs' firm located in Chattanooga ... We are always seeking attorneys with some experience, preferably experience in plaintiff's civil ...

Reno & Cavanaugh, PLLC (www.renocavanaugh.com(link is external)), a national affordable housing law firm, is seeking an associate attorney for its Nashville, TN office. The ideal candidate will have ...

Hancock Daniel's Johnson City, Tennessee office is seeking an Associate Attorney with 2+ years of litigation experience. Qualifications: * Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school. * Licensed ...

Attorney

Nashville, TN ยท On-site

The Tennessee Department of Health is seeking an attorney to serve as an Associate General Counsel. This position reports to the Deputy General Counsel. Primary job responsibilities include ...

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Showing results 1-20

Associate Attorney information

See Tennessee salary details

$41.8K

$98.2K

$156.6K

How much do associate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate attorney in Tennessee is $98,168.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,600.00 and $118,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Attorney vs Paralegal?

AspectAssociate AttorneyParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), licensed to practice lawAssociate's degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Job ResponsibilitiesLegal research, client counseling, drafting legal documents, court appearancesLegal research, document preparation, case organization, client communication

Associate Attorneys are licensed legal professionals who handle complex legal tasks and represent clients in court, while Paralegals support attorneys with research and document preparation without practicing law. Both roles are essential in legal settings, but Associate Attorneys have more advanced responsibilities and licensing requirements.

What Does an Associate Attorney Do?

Associate attorneys are early career lawyers who work for law firms to gain experience and hone their skills after completing law school and passing the bar exam for their state. Under the guidance of an experienced attorney or a partner in the firm, associate attorneys assist with cases by conducting legal research and writing reports, legal briefs, and other documents. Associate attorneys also negotiate with colleagues from other law firms, participate in jury selection, and help argue cases in court.

What is an Associate Attorney?

An Associate Attorney is a licensed lawyer who works at a law firm and typically has less experience than partners or senior attorneys. Their responsibilities often include conducting legal research, drafting documents, meeting with clients, and assisting with case preparation. Associate Attorneys usually work under the supervision of more senior lawyers and are on a partnership track, meaning they may eventually be considered for partnership in the firm. Their role is crucial for supporting the firm's legal work and gaining experience in various areas of law.

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

To thrive as an Associate Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a state bar license, and strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, document management systems, and e-discovery tools is typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are vital soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications ensure effective case preparation, compliance with legal standards, and successful collaboration with clients and colleagues.

What are some common challenges faced by associate attorneys in their first few years, and how can they overcome them?

Associate attorneys often encounter challenges such as managing a heavy workload, adapting to the fast-paced environment of a law firm, and learning to balance billable hour requirements with professional development. Building strong organizational and time-management skills is crucial to handle multiple cases and deadlines effectively. Additionally, seeking mentorship, actively communicating with senior attorneys, and asking for feedback can help associates navigate complex matters and grow professionally within the firm.
What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Attorney jobs in Tennessee? For Associate Attorney jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Attorney jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Attorney jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Associate Attorney jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Associate Attorney job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Attorney job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,168 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Associate Attorney - Estate Planning

Douglass & Runger PLLC

Memphis, TN โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

If you are interested in applying for this position, please read the instructions at the end of this posting and follow all instructions explicitly.

Do you want to help give clients peace of mind after the death of a loved one by navigating them through the probate process? Do you want to help clients ensure that their deceased loved one's estate is distributed according to the deceased's wishes? Are you the type of person who would enjoy assisting clients in removing a tremendous weight off their shoulders by crafting estate planning documents for their benefit that will remove all anxiety about their futures?

We are an rapidly growing law firm located in Memphis, TN that is on track for aggressive growth, and we need a probate and estate planning attorney to join our team and work directly with the owner and attorneys to support the team and help clients. We are looking for someone committed to creating an amazing client experience and who has the ability to be a calming and comforting presence for clients during a potentially anxious time.

Salary is commensurate with skill and experience and is negotiable. The compensation package includes base salary plus bonus compensation for production and performance. We offer benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as disability insurance and life insurance and 401K. We treat our lawyers like adults and as such, we offer unlimited PTO as well. We pay for Continuing Legal Education, Bar Dues, Professional Privilege Taxes and some approved voluntary bar memberships. Personal and professional development are critical to our Firm's success and continued growth, so we offer real opportunities for personal and professional development.

If this exciting opportunity appeals to you, we look forward to reviewing your resume. Please follow these instructions. Prepare a cover letter that explains what you believe are the 3 most important qualities or values for an attorney working with individuals dealing with the repercussions that follow the death of a loved one. Please include your desired compensation range. As a closing sentence please write, "I have read the instructions contained in the job posting and have followed the instructions."

You will be prompted to upload your cover letter.

Meeting with potential new clients and conducting consultations for estate planning and probate matters.

Supporting Senior Probate and Estate Planning lawyers in handling various components of their caseload.

Drafting estate planning documents ranging from Powers of Attorney to Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts.

Drafting pleadings for probate estate administration and conservatorship matters.

Appearing in Court as counsel for the Estate on various estate-related hearings.

Advocating for estate beneficiaries when necessary on contested probate estates.

Ensuring that all cases are moving forward within the workflow with a timely resolution.

Working to make client satisfaction a top priority and finding quick resolutions to client complaints and concerns.

Qualifications

We need an attorney who possesses exceptional communication skills and problem-solving skills needed in order to work with all levels of staff and our clients.

We need an attorney with a passion for working with people and who is able to show care and compassion to our clients who are dealing with emotionally difficult circumstances.

You need to be detail-oriented and possess the ability to develop and apply comprehensive planning and organizing strategies to ensure projects are appropriately prioritized and resources are used effectively and efficiently.

You need to be comfortable appearing in Court on a regular basis and show a willingness to learn from senior attorneys.

We need an attorney who will be able to navigate the contested issues that can arise in estates and conservatorship procedures and possess the ability to advocate our clients' position zealously.

You must possess the ability to independently formulate sound decisions and select an effective course of action using available information.

We need an attorney who possesses the ability to craft estate planning documents based upon our client's needs or the ability to learn how to craft estate planning documents on behalf of our clients.

Skills and experience are important and valued, but your personality, character, intelligence, and integrity are also extremely important considerations.

If we can't count on you to show up in court on time, don't apply.

High-maintenance, humorless, self-entitled, or self-important individuals will not succeed in our Firm and need not apply.

We are growing, and you will be called upon to wear many hats. We need someone who does not think that the occasional need to scan your own documents is "beneath you."

Compensation

$70,000.00 - $90,000.00 base compensation (DOE), plus bonus compensation for hitting Firm KPIS.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME