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Associate Attorney Jobs in DeKalb, IL (NOW HIRING)

Transaction Attorney

Elgin, IL ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

Role Title: M&A Attorney Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote We are seeking seasoned M&A attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want ...

Transaction Attorney

Aurora, IL ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

Role Title: M&A Attorney Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote We are seeking seasoned M&A attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want ...

Transaction Attorney

Rockford, IL ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

Role Title: M&A Attorney Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote We are seeking seasoned M&A attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want ...

Trial Attorney

Oregon, IL ยท On-site +1

Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we're looking for associates who are ... As a Trial Attorney, you'll represent clients under both commercial and personal lines insurance ...

Trial Attorney

Oregon, IL ยท On-site +1

Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we're looking for associates who are ... As a Trial Attorney, you'll represent clients under both commercial and personal lines insurance ...

Pets Hotel Associate About Life at PetSmart Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together, we're building the best team in retail through our values-based culture, connection, and teamwork.

Staff Attorney

Aurora, IL ยท Remote

$118K - $178K/yr

Staff Attorney - LM07EE We're determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to ...

CASA/GAL Attorney

Geneva, IL ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

CASA Kane County is seeking an attorney to join its Legal Department. We welcome applications from attorneys at different stages of their careers. The CASA/GAL Attorney is responsible for the ...

Business Law Attorney

Elgin, IL ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

Transactional Attorney Job Type: Contractor Location: Remote Job Summary: We are seeking seasoned in-house transactional attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity ...

Business Law Attorney

Rockford, IL ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

Transactional Attorney Job Type: Contractor Location: Remote Job Summary: We are seeking seasoned in-house transactional attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity ...

Business Law Attorney

Aurora, IL ยท Remote

$90 - $130/hr

Transactional Attorney Job Type: Contractor Location: Remote Job Summary: We are seeking seasoned in-house transactional attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity ...

Commercial Lit Attorney

Batavia, IL ยท On-site

$80.75 - $93.50/hr

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Lit Attorney to support a retail food store organization in Batavia, Illinois. This Long-term Contract opportunity is ideal for a licensed attorney who ...

Funds Attorney Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote We are seeking seasoned Funds Attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want to help ...

Funds Attorney Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote We are seeking seasoned Funds Attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want to help ...

Job Title Sr. Trial Attorney - Remote Requisition Number R7824 Sr. Trial Attorney - Remote (Open) Location California - Home Teleworkers Additional Locations Arizona - Home Teleworkers, Nevada - Home ...

Private Funds Attorney - Remote

Elgin, IL ยท Remote

$90 - $150/hr

Funds Attorney Role Type: Contractor Location: Remote We are seeking seasoned Funds Attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want to help ...

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Associate Attorney information

See DeKalb, IL salary details

$45.1K

$106.2K

$169.3K

How much do associate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate attorney in DeKalb, IL is $106,159.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $127,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in DeKalb, IL?

The most popular types of Attorney jobs in DeKalb, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Attorney jobs in DeKalb, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Attorney jobs in DeKalb, IL are:

What cities near DeKalb, IL are hiring for Associate Attorney jobs?

Cities near DeKalb, IL with the most Associate Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Attorney job openings in DeKalb, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 73% In-person, 18% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,159 per year, or $51 per hour.

Transaction Attorney

micro1 AI

Elgin, IL โ€ข Remote

$90 - $130/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Role Title: M&A Attorney


Role Type: Contractor


Location: Remote


We are seeking seasoned M&A attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want to help shape how advanced AI is trained, evaluated, and applied in real-world legal work, especially those who have deep experience with drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and redlining within the tech field.


In this role, you will review, assess, and contribute to contract redlining workflows used to train and evaluate state-of-the-art AI models. Your work will directly improve how these systems identify risk and interpret contract language to create tools with improved precision and legal judgment.


Key Responsibilities:

  1. Perform simulated contract negotiations and redlining exercises.
  2. Review and assess AI responses to contract scenarios, providing expert feedback to improve model performance and output precision.
  3. Create objective evaluation frameworks and grading criteria to assess AI performance on contract tasks with rigor and consistency.
  4. Collaborate with product and research teams to refine data, guidelines, and best practices for AI-driven contract review solutions.


Required Skills and Qualifications:

  1. J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
  2. Active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
  3. Minimum of 2 years in the M&A department of a corporate law firm.
  4. Familiarity with standard M&A agreements, including APAs and SPAs.
  5. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
  6. Strong analytical capabilities and ability to translate legal expertise into actionable feedback for AI systems.
  7. Demonstrated commitment to innovation at the intersection of law and technology.
  8. Experience working with cross-disciplinary teams in fast-paced environments.


Preferred Qualifications:

  1. Prior exposure to AI, legal tech, or training initiatives.
  2. Experience working with private equity firms.


Why Join:

  1. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of law and technology.
  2. You will help define how AI is developed for a new generation of legal practitioners.
  3. You will apply your experience in a high-impact research environment.


Compensation Structure:

Compensation is task-based; experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The effective hourly rate is based on the average handling time (AHT) of the tasks and may vary by specific task.