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Entry Level Attorney Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law seeks candidates for entry-level and lateral non ... Our goal is to produce graduates who will serve their communities as lawyers and leaders ...

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Entry Level Attorney information

See Tennessee salary details

$41.8K

$98.2K

$156.6K

How much do entry level attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level 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 an entry level attorney?

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 Tennessee?

The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Tennessee are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Attorney jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Attorney jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Entry Level Attorney jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Entry Level Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Attorney job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 10% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,168 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Assistant Professor of Law in Legal Writing and Skills (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Maynardville, TN • On-site

Lincoln Memorial University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time, Part-time, Contractor

Posted 13 days ago


Lincoln Memorial University rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law seeks candidates for entry-level and lateral non-tenure track faculty positions beginning July 2027. Positions are full-time and based in Knoxville, Tennessee. The successful candidate will primarily teach first year legal writing and upper-level skills and experiential courses. As enrollment in our online part-time/hybrid program increases, we also seek candidates who have experience with or would enjoy online teaching as part of their responsibilities.

Student success is key at LMU Law. We seek teacher-scholars who are committed to excellence in in legal education and the student experience. Ideal candidates will bring rigor, passion, and innovation to the classroom. While focusing on practice-oriented education, our mission includes providing legal education to students from regions underserved by the legal profession. Our goal is to produce graduates who will serve their communities as lawyers and leaders, particularly in Appalachia and other such areas. In that regard, we appreciate candidates with professional interests that align with and further this mission. 

We recognize that there is no one-size-fits all profile for outstanding law professors. Thus, we actively seek candidates who will enrich our community with their varied professional experiences, perspectives, and philosophies. We value diverse teaching, scholarship, legal practice, clerkships, or post-law-school work experiences. In addition to past teaching, a candidate’s potential for success can be evidenced, for example, by involvement in student-focused activities, mentoring, educational presentations, writing for legal publications, or leadership in professional or community organizations. We also seek candidates who want to engage with the broader community, including national organizations and the local bench and bar. 

This position is subject to a twelve-month contract with teaching responsibilities in alternate summers. Teaching load may include courses delivered through various modalities, ranging from in-person to fully remote, based both on programmatic needs and faculty interest. 

The initial contract will be for one year and is renewable. The faculty member may apply for multi-year appointment after three one-year appointments. Non-tenure track faculty have service obligations and voting rights on all matters except for hiring and promotion of tenure-track faculty. The contract does not require scholarship, but scholarship is required for promotion. Non-tenure track faculty are eligible for financial support of scholarship. 

Our law school campus is in the heart of downtown Knoxville, where we enjoy vibrant city life, a rich cultural scene, and stunning natural beauty with the Great Smoky Mountains as a backdrop. Rapidly growing, East Tennessee is frequently recognized as one of the best places to call home in the United States. 

Applications may be submitted at . Applications must include a cover letter, cv, list of three references, and a writing sample. Candidates invited for on-campus interviews will be requested to provide teaching evaluations, if any, and transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended. Inquires may be directed to Faculty Recruitment chair, John Rice, at .


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