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Entry Level Attorney Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Children and Families Working Title: ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY Pay Plan: SES Position Number: 60057776 Salary: $69,240.08 Posting Closing Date: 06/30/2026 Total Compensation Estimator Tool Children ...

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Entry Level Attorney information

See Florida salary details

$34.4K

$80.8K

$128.9K

How much do entry level attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level attorney in Florida is $80,827.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,800.00 and $97,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are entry level attorneys?

Entry level attorneys are recent law school graduates or individuals who have recently passed the bar exam and are beginning their legal careers. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced attorneys and assist with research, drafting legal documents, and helping prepare cases. Entry level attorneys can work in various settings, including law firms, government agencies, or corporate legal departments. Their responsibilities often focus on learning practical legal skills and gaining experience in their chosen field of law.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission in your practicing state, and a solid grasp of legal research, writing, and analysis. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in document management systems are typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and time management skills help you build client relationships and manage caseloads effectively. These competencies are crucial for providing sound legal advice, meeting deadlines, and establishing a successful legal career.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level attorneys in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level attorneys often encounter challenges such as managing heavy workloads, adapting to the fast-paced environment of law firms, and bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical legal skills. Navigating client expectations, learning firm protocols, and handling multiple assignments simultaneously can feel overwhelming at first. To overcome these challenges, new attorneys should proactively seek feedback, build strong relationships with mentors and colleagues, and prioritize effective time management. Open communication and a willingness to continuously learn are key to successful integration and professional growth in the early stages of a legal career.

What is the difference between Entry Level Attorney vs Paralegal?

AspectEntry Level AttorneyParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar AdmissionAssociate's degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies
Job ResponsibilitiesLegal research, drafting legal documents, client consultationsLegal research, document preparation, case organization

Entry Level Attorneys and Paralegals often work in similar environments and share some responsibilities, but attorneys require a JD and bar admission to practice law, while paralegals support attorneys without needing a law license. The roles differ mainly in legal authority and scope of work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney jobs in Florida? The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Florida are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Attorney jobs in Florida? For Entry Level Attorney jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Attorney jobs in Florida look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Attorney jobs in Florida are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Entry Level Attorney jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Entry Level Attorney job openings:
ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY

ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY

State of Florida

Defuniak Springs, FL

$69K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


State Of Florida rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 180 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 50 rated states


Job description

Requisition No: 873727 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 60057776 

Salary:  $69,240.08 

Posting Closing Date: 06/30/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Children’s Legal Services
Department of Children and Families
 
 
DeFuniak Springs, FL
 
Open Competitive

What you will do:

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN!

Children’s Legal Services attorneys advocate for the safety, well-being, and permanency of Florida’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children.  With a team of more than 300 attorneys, CLS is the leader in the courtroom at each stage of a Chapter 39 proceeding.

A CLS attorney has primary responsibility for multiple cases and must ensure Florida and federal legal requirements are met to secure permanent and safe homes for dependent children.  A CLS attorney collaborates with investigators and case managers to gather the evidence necessary to support the legal action that is appropriate for each child and prepares those partners to serve as witnesses at trial.  CLS attorneys advocate for children by employing best practice litigation techniques so that our pleadings and trial presentations lead the nation in dependency advocacy.

Qualifications:

  • Law Degree

Training Provided:

  • Multi-week onboarding program created by a CLS-dedicated Statewide Training Team
  • Quarterly intensive multi-day New Attorney Training focusing on practical skills and litigation tactics
  • Annual multi-day Advanced Litigation Academy that coaches new and experienced attorneys on high-level evidence techniques, expert witness challenges, and advocacy through technology.
  • Fulfillment of all CLE requirements through webinars and live trainings on topics including case law updates, statutory changes, courtroom skills, evidence, ethics, and legal writing.

Benefits for Working for the State of Florida:

  • Florida Bar annual dues are paid for by the Department, contingent upon agency approval
  • Public Loan Forgiveness Program
  • No state income tax for residents of Florida
  • On each anniversary date, you will be accredited 176 hours of annual leave and 104 hours of sick leave
  • Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
  • State Group Insurance coverage options (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options)
  • Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Tuition waivers
  • And more!

Compensation:

For a full-time permanent appointment, the annual base salary is $69,240.08 and total compensation inclusive of the benefits listed above is valued at a minimum of $97,679.  Actual total compensation will vary based on insurance and retirement elections. 

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit an online application that includes a cover letter and a resume that demonstrates your qualifications.  You may be requested to subsequently provide a writing sample, law school transcripts, and references to assist the committee.

Growth Opportunities:

We have several ways you can grow as an attorney with CLS.  There are pathways for promotion for those who want to be leaders in the courtroom and for those who would rather be leaders in the office.  To open the door for growth, CLS invites all of its team members to participate on special projects that create strategies for better outcomes for children. 

Come grow with us today!

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.


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