ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Associate Defense Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jobot

Associate Defense Attorney

Saint Louis, MO

$90K - $125K/yr

St Louis based Law Firm seeks an Associate Attorney! This Jobot Job is hosted by: Ron Calhoun Are ... defense or to initiate legal action on behalf of client. Attends and assists at trials. Researches ...

Jobot

Associate Defense Attorney

Milton, GA

$120K - $180K/yr

Salary: $120,000 - $180,000 per year A bit about us: ----- Join a respected defense firm defending businesses, insurers, healthcare providers, and professionals against high‑exposure claims. The ...

Cruitin

Criminal Defense Attorney

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $250K/yr

Associate Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney Location: Sherman Oaks Compensation: Base+ $100,000 or more (DOE) Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision/401k/PTO Requirements: * Juris Doctor (JD) and licensed ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Defense Attorney Jobs

Associate Defense Attorney information

See salary details

$46K

$108.2K

$172.5K

How much do associate defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate defense attorney in the United States is $108,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate defense attorney during their initial years, and how can they be addressed?

Associate Defense Attorneys often encounter challenges such as managing a high caseload, learning to navigate court procedures, and balancing client expectations with legal realities. In the early years, it can be difficult to build confidence in the courtroom and develop effective negotiation skills. These challenges are best addressed by seeking mentorship from senior attorneys, actively participating in case strategy discussions, and dedicating time to stay updated on legal precedents and local court rules. Strong organizational skills and open communication with team members also help in managing workload and client relationships effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate defense attorney?

To thrive as an Associate Defense Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, strong legal research, and case analysis skills. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as courtroom and case management software, is typically required. Outstanding written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and negotiation skills help you build strong client relationships and advocate effectively. These skills ensure accurate representation, effective case strategy, and successful outcomes for clients in complex legal environments.

What is an associate defense attorney?

Associate Defense Attorneys are licensed lawyers who work under the supervision of more senior attorneys within a law firm or public defender's office. They focus on defending clients accused of crimes by conducting legal research, drafting motions, attending court hearings, and assisting in trial preparation. Associates are typically early in their legal careers and gain practical experience by working closely with experienced defense attorneys on a variety of criminal cases.

What is the difference between Associate Defense Attorney vs Public Defender?

AspectAssociate Defense AttorneyPublic Defender
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), license to practice lawJuris Doctor (JD), license to practice law
Work EnvironmentPrivate law firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesPublic defender offices, government-funded legal services
Employer & IndustryLaw firms, government agencies, corporationsGovernment-funded public defense offices
Common Search/ComparisonAssociate Defense Attorney vs Public Defender

Both Associate Defense Attorneys and Public Defenders hold a Juris Doctor degree and are licensed to practice law. While Associate Defense Attorneys often work in private firms or corporate settings, Public Defenders are employed by government agencies to provide legal defense for indigent clients. The primary difference lies in their employment environment and client base, with Public Defenders focusing on public service and indigent defense, whereas Associate Defense Attorneys may handle a broader range of clients in various legal settings.

More about Associate Defense Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Defense Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Associate Defense Attorney job openings:
What states have the most Associate Defense Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Defense Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Associate Defense Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Defense Attorney jobs are:
Associate Defense Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Defense Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,160 per year, or $52 per hour.

Associate Defense Attorney

Jobot

Saint Louis, MO

$90K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

St Louis based Law Firm seeks an Associate Attorney!
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Ron Calhoun
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button and sending us your resume.
Salary: $90,000 - $125,000 per year
A bit about us:
---------
Highly Reputable St Louis Based firm
Why join us?
---------
Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance.
401k with company match.
Job Details
---------
Responsibilities
Communicates with clients in order to keep them informed of all developments related to their case, including direct correspondence and reports.
Prepares legal documents including discovery documents, discovery motions, dispositive motions, pre-trial pleadings, other pleadings and briefs required throughout life of the case.
Gathers evidence, conducts research, interviews clients and witnesses, prepares legal briefs, and develops strategy, arguments, and testimony to formulate defense or to initiate legal action on behalf of client.
Attends and assists at trials.
Researches legal issues and prepares memorandums.
Plans and prepares for various aspects of a trial including witness examination, opening statement, trial motions, exhibits and jury instructions.
Prepares witnesses for deposition or trial, including preparation on issues to be addressed and reviewing significant documents.
Education and Experience
Requires completion of law school with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Law license for all courts, state and federal, in which attorney practices.
Licensure by the Missouri Bar is mandatory; licensure by the Illinois State Bar is preferred.
Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button.
Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.
Sometimes Jobot is required to perform background checks with your authorization. Jobot will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with any applicable federal, state, or local law regarding criminal backgrounds, including but not limited to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Information collected and processed as part of your Jobot candidate profile, and any job applications, resumes, or other information you choose to submit is subject to Jobot's Privacy Policy, as well as the Jobot California Worker Privacy Notice and Jobot Notice Regarding Automated Employment Decision Tools which are available at jobot.com/legal.
By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Jobot, and/or its agents and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy here: jobot.com/privacy-policy #legal #attorney #legal #associate #tier4
Jobot logo

About Jobot

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Jobot is a revolutionary Recruiting Rirm that combines the latest in AI technology with our custom software, Jax, and partners it with Jobot Pros experienced recruiters to fill jobs and provide incredible service to our clients and candidates in the process. We are disrupting the Recruiting space and have grown from 0 to over 750 folks in 5 years. Jobot is committed to workplace flexibility. Come join us at the beautiful Jobot House in Newport Beach, CA or work from anywhere in the United States with strong WiFi. We have recruiters in New York, Hawaii and all over the US. We typically fly top performers to California a few times a year to enjoy the weather and celebrate in style.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2018

View All Jobot Jobs

Apply