2

Entry Level Attorney Jobs in Rensselaer, NY (NOW HIRING)

Legal Assistant

Albany, NY · On-site

$45K - $55K/yr

Legal Assistant Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level Department: Legal As a CGS Legal Assistant ... You will provide litigation and administrative support to a group of United States Attorneys. CGS ...

Paralegal Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level Department: Legal As a CGS Paralegal, you will ... You will provide litigation and administrative support to a group of United States Attorneys. CGS ...

Paralegal

Albany, NY

$50K - $60K/yr

Paralegal Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level Department: Legal As a CGS Paralegal, you will ... You will provide litigation and administrative support to a group of United States Attorneys. CGS ...

Entry Level Attorney information

See Rensselaer, NY salary details

$45.7K

$107.4K

$171.3K

How much do entry level attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level attorney in Rensselaer, NY is $107,386.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $129,100.00 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 Rensselaer, NY? The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Rensselaer, NY are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Attorney jobs in Rensselaer, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Attorney jobs in Rensselaer, NY are:
What cities near Rensselaer, NY are hiring for Entry Level Attorney jobs? Cities near Rensselaer, NY with the most Entry Level Attorney job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Attorney job openings in Rensselaer, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 13% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,386 per year, or $51.6 per hour.

Assistant District Attorney (Fall Class 2027)

Nassau County District Attorney's Office

Nassau, NY • On-site

$80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Future Prosecutors: Fall Class 2027
Nassau County was named the "Safest Community in America" by U.S. News & World Report for several consecutive years. This distinction is not a coincidence - it is the direct result of the superb work of the talented, well-trained prosecutors at the Nassau County District Attorney's Office.
With more than 230 lawyers and a total staff of nearly 450, the Nassau DA's Office is one of the largest DA's Offices in the country. Because of our proximity to New York City, we enjoy a unique blend of suburban idyll (miles of oceanfront beaches, hundreds of parks and award-winning schools) and easy access to NYC's robust cultural, nightlife and restaurant scenes.
Members of our legal staff are provided with training, mentorship and ongoing opportunities for professional development. In our collegial and collaborative environment, new Assistant District Attorneys will cultivate a professional home within the world of criminal justice and enjoy a rewarding and exciting position. Every Fall, we welcome a diverse class of new Assistant District Attorneys, recruited and selected from a competitive pool of applicants nationwide. These new prosecutors all bring with them passion and talent for courtroom advocacy and litigation, a commitment to pursuing justice and the ability to provide support to crime victims in need. Our Assistants choose to work in Nassau County because of its safety and vibrancy, and their own dedication to preserving that environment for all its residents.
Are you ready to join our pursuit of justice and serve our community as an Assistant District Attorney in the Fall 2027?
Qualifications and Requirements:
  • strong academic credentials
  • a demonstrated commitment to public service and criminal law (e.g., Moot Court/Mock Trial, trial advocacy and/or clinical program)
  • excellent verbal, writing and critical thinking skills
  • leadership abilities (e.g., confidence, integrity and ethics, motivation to achieve, time management skills)
  • maturity (e.g., empathy, good judgment, strong work ethic)
  • interpersonal and teamwork skills
  • prior to effective date of employment with the NCDAO, candidates must have:
    • either (1) passed the NYS Bar Examination and are awaiting admission to the NYS Bar, or (2) are admitted to the practice of law in NYS, in good standing, or (3) if a recent law school graduate, must sit for first available UBE after graduation
    • reside in New York State;
    • be a U.S. citizen (Public Officer's Law §3(1).
Each seat in the Fall class is highly competitive. All applications are thoroughly reviewed, and successful candidates will undergo three rounds of interviews as follows:
  1. Initial Interview with a senior-level Assistant District Attorney from the Hiring Committee.
  2. Panel Interview with two or more supervisory Assistant District Attorneys from the Hiring Committee.
  3. District Attorney Interview with D.A. Donnelly and the Chief Assistant District Attorney.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Day to day life for an entry-level ADA requires organized management of an active criminal case docket, including:
  • preparing and filing pleadings, handling discovery, briefing and arguing motions;
  • conducting witness preparation, grand jury presentations, hearings and trials;
  • evaluating cases to formulate and negotiate appropriate dispositions;
  • conferencing cases with defense counsel and judges;
  • making court appearances pertaining to all phases of litigation;
  • investigating cases using various types of legal process (subpoenas, court orders, search warrants, and/or eavesdropping warrants), cooperating defendants, and traditional and electronic surveillance; and
  • collaborating with the NCPD and Nassau County's local police departments, as well as a variety of local, state and federal law enforcement partners.

Job Benefits
As an ADA, you will receive the following benefits (waiting periods may apply):
  • 13 paid holidays each year
  • Generous paid vacation, personal and sick days each year
  • Contributory medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents
  • New York State Employees Retirement Plan
  • Optional Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Flexible benefits plans (pre-tax) for medical and child-care expenses
  • Childcare leave
  • County Credit Union
Starting annual salary for non-admitted attorneys is $80,000.
Annual salary after bar admission is $85,000.