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Associate Attorney Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Center for Food Safety

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR · On-site

$78K - $89K/yr

The Associate Attorney position is a two-year position with the possibility of promotion and continuation with CFS. Designed for attorneys in the early stages of their environmental/advocacy career ...

HR Annie Consulting

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR · Hybrid

$120K - $135K/yr

Lindsay Hart LLP is seeking an Associate Attorney to join our litigation team in Portland, Oregon . Key Details: * Pay: $120,000 - $135,000 DOE, plus a generous annual bonus structure. Candidates ...

W3Global Inc.

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR

$120K - $160K/yr

Essential Requirements of being an associate attorney: In addition to the above, attorneys MUST: * Communicate effectively in person, via email, via zoom, and via telephone with coworkers, clients ...

W3Global Inc.

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR

$90K - $120K/yr

We are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our growing team. This role is ideal for anyone who is proactive, thoughtful, and motivated by purpose. The right candidate is someone who takes ...

CyberCoders

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR

Associate Attorney Associate Attorney Position Overview We are seeking a skilled Associate Attorney to join our firms civil litigation team with an emphasis on workers' compensation and regulatory ...

Lindsay Hart, LLP

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Litigation Associate Attorney

Portland, OR · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

Associate Attorney - Defense Litigation (Oregon/Washington) Portland, OR | Hybrid Opportunities About Lindsay Hart, LLP Lindsay Hart is a well-established regional law firm with a strong presence in ...

Thenell Law Group

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Associate Attorney

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

We are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our Insurance Coverage Group. The position will assist with first and third party insurance claims and defense of insureds in litigation throughout the ...

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Thenell Law Group

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Associate Attorney

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

We are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our Insurance Coverage Group. The position will assist with first and third party insurance claims and defense of insureds in litigation throughout the ...

New

Thenell Law Group

Be Seen First

Associate Attorney

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

We are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our Insurance Coverage Group. The position will assist with first and third party insurance claims and defense of insureds in litigation throughout the ...

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All JobsAssociate Attorney JobsAssociate Attorney Jobs in Portland, OR

Associate Attorney information

See Portland, OR salary details

$48.8K

$114.7K

$182.9K

How much do associate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate attorney in Portland, OR is $114,704.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,800.00 and $137,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

More about Associate Attorney jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Portland, OR are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Attorney jobs in Portland, OR? For Associate Attorney jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Attorney jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Attorney jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Associate Attorney jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Associate Attorney job openings:
Associate Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Attorney job openings in Portland, OR as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Full Time, 89% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $114,704 per year, or $55.1 per hour.
Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney

Center for Food Safety

Portland, OR • On-site

$78K - $89K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Who we are
Center for Food Safety (CFS)'s mission is to empower people, support farmers, and protect the Earth from the harmful impacts of industrial agriculture. We defend and promote your right to safe food and a clean environment through groundbreaking legal, scientific, and grassroots action.
For over 25 years, we have created a new food future, fostering a more powerful food movement against the harmful industrial agricultural system while promoting organic, ecological, and regenerative alternatives. We've won high-profile lawsuits to protect public health and endangered species from pesticides like Monsanto's Roundup and dicamba. We prevented the introduction of genetically engineered wheat, rice, potatoes, and more to the market and secured meaningful labeling to ensure that we all know what's in our food. We succeeded in instilling animal welfare requirements into the organic standards and protected the oceans from industrial aquaculture. And much more: Our groundbreaking legal cases that protect pollinators, farmworkers, and farming communities, and the earth from the devastating impacts of industrial farming, are a landmark body of case law on food and much more: Our groundbreaking legal cases that protect pollinators, farmworkers, and farming communities, and the earth from the devastating impacts of industrial farming, are a landmark body of case law on food and agricultural issues, transforming our food system.
About the role
Center for Food Safety (CFS), one of the nation's top food and environmental nonprofits, seeks an Associate Attorney to join our team. The Associate Attorney position is a two-year position with the possibility of promotion and continuation with CFS. Designed for attorneys in the early stages of their environmental/advocacy career, the Associate Attorney works with the rest of the CFS legal and policy team and participates in all phases of public interest impact litigation and administrative advocacy on an ever-expanding variety of cutting-edge food and environmental issues, in support of CFS's overall mission and its specific program areas, including but not limited to:
  • Consumer Advocacy
  • Farmworker and Farmer Protection
  • Food and Climate Change
  • Food Labeling/Right to Know
  • Genetically Engineered Organisms and Monocultures
  • Industrial Animal Agriculture
  • Industrial Aquaculture
  • Pesticides & Other Toxins
  • Pollinator & Wildlife Protection
  • Public Health
  • Regenerative Agriculture: Organic & Beyond

What you'll do
  • Work closely with other CFS attorneys, policy and communications staff, scientists, coalition partners, and clients to build cases and support policies
  • Participate in a variety of tasks in litigation and administrative advocacy, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, negotiation, discovery and record review, briefing, and oral advocacy
  • Represent CFS and clients in state and federal rulemaking and agency engagement
  • Maintain and develop organizational partnerships with new clients, allies, and coalition partners
  • Promote and educate the public and media on various CFS issues
  • Assist with hiring and supervision of law clerks

Desired qualifications and skills
  • Law school graduate with 1-3 years of legal experience (clerkship, administrative/environmental/animal law, or related area preferred)
  • Admission to the California or Oregon bar or a willingness to be licensed in either state within one year
  • A passion for enforcing and strengthening environmental and food/ag laws
  • Excellent legal research and writing skills
  • Self-motivation and willingness to do administrative tasks
  • Ability to work collaboratively with others in a small, team-oriented environment
  • Interest or a background in food and agriculture issues is a plus, but not required

Compensation and benefits
Hybrid - San Francisco: $85,000 - $98,000 USD/ year (salary)
Hybrid - Portland: $78,000 - $89,000 USD/ year (salary)
CFS offers a competitive compensation package, a flexible hybrid work environment, and a four-day workweek. In addition to salary, we offer a discretionary annual bonus and employer matching contributions to a retirement plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, disability insurance, a pre-tax medical savings plan, and generous vacation and leave policies. As a 501(c)(3) organization, CFS qualifies as an employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

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