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Entry Level Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Attorney information

See Reston, VA salary details

$47.9K

$112.5K

$179.5K

How much do entry level attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level attorney in Reston, VA is $112,525.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,200.00 and $135,200.00 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 Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Attorney jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Attorney jobs in Reston, VA?

For Entry Level Attorney jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Attorney jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Attorney jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Entry Level Attorney jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Entry Level Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Attorney job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 9% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,525 per year, or $54.1 per hour.

Design Patent Assistant (Entry-Level)

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox
Law Firmsย โ€ขย 201 - 500 employees

$55K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Who are we?
Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes this possible. Accordingly, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops.
What do we need?
We are looking for motivated entry-level candidates to join our firm as a Design Assistant in our Mechanical & Design group. Successful Design Assistants love to dive into details and enthusiastically perform administrative duties. Design Assistants should be willing to work hybrid schedules from the DC metro area.
How will you make an impact?
  • Maintaining an in-depth knowledge of USPTO rules, firm procedures and policies, and established client guidelines to determine necessary action to be taken in design patent applications in response to docketed deadlines and incoming correspondence.
  • Timely complete assigned tasks, and/or to create and proactively monitor projects and tasks to ensure compliance with firm and/or client Service Level Agreements.
  • Exercising excellent attention to detail, professional judgment, and initiative in following firm second-eye policies when communicating with clients and preparing responsive documents to assure timeliness and that work product consistently meets the highest levels of quality.
  • Assisting and supporting attorneys, patent agents, and Design Paralegals who are ultimately responsible for the legal patent services being provided to clients.
  • Demonstrating ownership of assigned matters, working collaboratively with others when needed, and working at other times independently with little needed supervision.
  • Handling electronic filings of documents with the USPTO, including assisting with the preparation and filing of patent applications, amendments, briefs, pleadings, petitions, memoranda, and other correspondence, including formatting, proofing, and editing of same.
  • Preparing checklists, formal documents, cover letters, USPTO forms, information disclosure statements (IDS's), and other documents traditionally prepared by patent secretaries.
  • Reviewing and reporting to the client all correspondence received from the USPTO.

What will you bring to the role?
  • Bachelor's degree preferred.
  • Some office, law firm, and/or IP experience is preferred.
  • Art and/or design experience a plus, but not required.
  • Ability to work in a highly detail-oriented and deadline-driven environment.
  • Computer proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office and other software.
  • Stellar verbal and written communication skills.
  • Interest in a minimum 2-year commitment to the position.

The base salary for this position is $55,000.
To Apply
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.
Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.