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Entry Level Federal Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office

$85K/yr

In addition, we comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Family and ... Career Track Entry-level Assistant District Attorneys begin their tenure by rotating through the ...

The United Firm | La Liga Defensora, APC

$80K - $90K/yr

We're looking for an admitted attorney for an extremely promising Criminal Defense Entry-Level ... Experience handling complex criminal cases at the federal, state, and local levels * A team player ...

MyFlorida

ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY

Defuniak Springs, FL

$69K/yr

Children and Families Working Title: ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY Pay Plan: SES Position Number: 60057776 ... A CLS attorney has primary responsibility for multiple cases and must ensure Florida and federal ...

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Entry Level Federal Attorney information

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$62K

$138.4K

$204.5K

How much do entry level federal attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level federal attorney in the United States is $138,427.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,500.00 and $161,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Federal Attorney vs Entry Level Public Defender?

AspectEntry Level Federal AttorneyEntry Level Public Defender
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar AdmissionJuris Doctor (JD), Bar Admission
Work EnvironmentFederal agencies, government offices, federal courtsPublic defender offices, local courts
Employer & IndustryFederal government, legal, criminal justicePublic sector, criminal defense

Both roles require a JD and bar admission, working within the criminal justice system. An Entry Level Federal Attorney typically works for federal agencies handling federal cases, while an Entry Level Public Defender works for public defender offices representing indigent clients in criminal cases at the local level. The main difference lies in the jurisdiction and employer setting, but both are entry-level legal roles in criminal law.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level federal attorneys during their first year on the job?

Entry level federal attorneys often encounter a steep learning curve as they familiarize themselves with complex federal statutes, procedures, and the expectations of their specific agency. Balancing a high volume of casework with ongoing training and adapting to the formalities of federal court can be demanding. Additionally, new attorneys must quickly develop strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills while collaborating with experienced colleagues and supervisors. Building confidence in making legal decisions and managing time effectively are common challenges, but many agencies offer mentorship and professional development resources to support early career attorneys.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Federal Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school, strong legal research and writing skills, and successful completion of a state bar exam. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and knowledge of federal court procedures are typically required. Attention to detail, strong ethical judgment, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are essential for producing high-quality legal work, complying with federal standards, and effectively representing the government’s interests.

What is an entry level federal attorney?

An entry level federal attorney is a licensed lawyer who has recently graduated from law school and works for the federal government, often within agencies like the Department of Justice or other federal departments. These attorneys handle a variety of legal tasks such as researching legal issues, drafting documents, assisting with litigation, and providing legal advice under the supervision of experienced attorneys. Entry level positions are typically filled through programs like the Department of Justice Honors Program or through direct hire into federal agencies. The work provides valuable experience in federal law and public service, and often serves as a stepping stone for a career in government or public interest law.
More about Entry Level Federal Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Federal Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Federal Attorney job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Attorney jobs? The most popular types of Federal Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Federal Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Federal Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Federal Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Federal Attorney jobs are:
Entry Level Federal Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Federal Attorney job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,427 per year, or $66.6 per hour.

Assistant District Attorney (Entry-Level)

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office

Hauppauge, NY

$85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Introduction
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is one of the largest prosecutorial offices in the country. We are actively seeking top-tier candidates who embody diverse perspectives, a strong work ethic, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to public service and justice.

Joining our Office is an investment in your future, offering career growth, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Suffolk County is also a great place as it offers a vibrant lifestyle with proximity to New York City, beautiful beaches, and a renowned winery scene, providing the perfect balance of professional and personal fulfillment.

Salary and Benefits
Entry-level prosecutors start at approximately $85,000. 
Benefits include health insurance, including optical and dental benefits, vacation/personal/sick time, disability leave, deferred compensation, New York State Retirement, life insurance, legal and other benefits. In addition, we comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Training
Upon joining the team, newly hired Assistants will undergo a rigorous weeks-long training program, which was developed and implemented by District Attorney Tierney's administration. This program blends hands-on experience, interactive Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses, mentorship, opportunities from junior prosecutors to second-seat more senior prosecutors, and specialized off-site training hosted by the National District Attorneys Association’s National Advocacy Center, the New York State District Attorneys Association’s Prosecutor's Training Institute, and other organizations.

Career Track
Entry-level Assistant District Attorneys begin their tenure by rotating through the Intake and Discovery Compliance Bureau, the District Court Bureau, and the East End Bureau, where they prosecute misdemeanor crimes and gain investigative and trial experience. With proper advancement of knowledge and skills, ADAs will then be promoted to the Domestic Violence Unit where they will prosecute both misdemeanor and felony offenses. ADAs will then move to the Grand Jury Unit where they will learn how to present felony cases to the Grand Jury, take pre-indictment dispositions, and handle all felony arraignments for the Office.
ADAs will then move into the various senior bureaus within the three divisions: the Trial Division, Criminal Investigations Division, and the Special Investigations Division. There, ADAs will develop specialized skills in criminal investigations and prosecutions of all types.

Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizenship (as required by New York Public Officers Law § 3).
  • Graduation from a law school prior to the first day of employment.
  • Sat for the New York State Bar exam prior to the first day of employment.
  • Sat for the MPRE prior to the first day of employment.
  • Sat for the NYLE prior to the first day of employment.
  • Commitment of three years of employment at the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
  • Demonstrated interested in public service and criminal law.

Applying
To apply for an Assistant District Attorney position, please submit a complete application package by completing this form.
A complete application package comprises the following:
 

  • A cover letter, addressed to District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney;
  • Resume;
  • Law school and undergraduate degree transcripts;
  • Two writing samples; and
  • Answering all pre-screening questions in the form below.


If you have any questions, please email ApplySCDA@suffolkcountyny.gov.

The Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney reserves the right to change without notice any statement on this page concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, eligibility, recruitment and terms of employment. The Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is our policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

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