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Entry Level Lawyer Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Lincoln County, OR

Deputy District Attorney

Newport, OR · On-site

$97K - $160K/yr

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) JOB SUMMARY DDA 1: Represent the State of Oregon as a trial lawyer in the prosecution of misdemeanor proceedings in circuit court and is the entry level ...

Lincoln County

Deputy District Attorney

Newport, OR · On-site

$97K - $160K/yr

... lawyer in the prosecution of misdemeanor proceedings in circuit court and is the entry level classification in the deputy district attorney series. Provide legal advice and assistance to law ...

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Entry Level Lawyer information

See Oregon salary details

$49.7K

$106.4K

$145.9K

How much do entry level lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level lawyer in Oregon is $106,391.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $108,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level lawyer?

Entry level lawyers are recent law school graduates or newly licensed attorneys who are starting their legal careers. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced lawyers, assisting with research, drafting legal documents, and supporting cases. Entry level lawyers may work in law firms, government agencies, or corporate legal departments. Their primary focus is to gain practical experience and develop foundational legal skills while working toward greater responsibilities.

What does an entry level lawyer do?

An entry-level lawyer performs a range of research, writing, and legal services duties for a law firm. As an entry-level attorney, you typically work on cases as part of a larger team of lawyers, and your responsibilities may focus on specific aspects of the case, such as interviewing witnesses, working with paralegals to sort out legal research and find relevant casework, or filing documents with the court or opposing counsel. You also assist more senior lawyers with administrative tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level lawyer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Lawyer, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, successful completion of the bar exam, and strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills. Familiarity with legal research tools such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, and proficiency in document management systems are typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and time management are valuable soft skills for this role. These skills ensure effective client representation, accurate legal work, and the ability to manage multiple cases in a dynamic legal environment.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level lawyers during their first year at a law firm?

Entry-level lawyers often face challenges such as managing heavy workloads, adapting to the fast-paced environment, and quickly learning firm-specific procedures. Balancing multiple cases or assignments while meeting tight deadlines can be demanding, and new attorneys may need to develop strong organizational and time-management skills. Additionally, building professional relationships with senior lawyers and clients requires effective communication and a willingness to seek feedback for continuous improvement.

What is the difference between Entry Level Lawyer vs Paralegal?

AspectEntry Level LawyerParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), passing the bar examAssociate's degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Employer & Industry UsageLegal industry, practicing law under supervisionSupporting legal work, assisting lawyers
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level legal roles, career pathLegal support roles, legal assistant positions

Entry Level Lawyers are licensed legal professionals who have completed their JD and passed the bar exam, allowing them to practice law under supervision. Paralegals assist lawyers with legal research, document preparation, and case management but are not licensed to practice law. While both roles work in legal environments, Entry Level Lawyers have a broader scope of practice and legal authority compared to Paralegals.

What is the easiest type of entry level lawyer to become?

Entry level lawyers often find it easiest to start in general practice or small firm roles that require basic legal skills and a Juris Doctor degree. These positions typically involve routine tasks and may require passing the bar exam, but they usually have fewer specialized requirements compared to niche legal fields like patent or corporate law.
More about Entry Level Lawyer jobs

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For Entry Level Lawyer jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Cities in Oregon with the most Entry Level Lawyer job openings:

Entry Level Lawyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Lawyer job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 60% Physical, 11% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,391 per year, or $51.1 per hour.

Deputy District Attorney

Lincoln County, OR

Newport, OR • On-site

$97K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Salary: $97,622.00 - $160,112.00 Annually
Location : Lincoln County, OR
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-11 (076, 077, 078)
Department: District Attorney's Office
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Position Summary
The Lincoln County District Attorney's Office is looking for a Deputy District Attorney 1, 2, or 3
DDA 1: $97,622.00 - $131,196.00 annually*
DDA 2: $105,432.00 - $141,693.00 annually*
DDA 3: $119,138.00 - $160,112.00 annually*
*Lincoln County follows Oregon Pay Equity laws in reviewing education and experience for wage offer.
Lincoln County offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage
  • 11% County contribution to 401(k)
  • County funded Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • $40,000 County Paid Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

JOB SUMMARY
DDA 1: Represent the State of Oregon as a trial lawyer in the prosecution of misdemeanor proceedings in circuit court and is the entry level classification in the deputy district attorney series. Provide legal advice and assistance to law enforcement agencies in investigations at all hours of the day and night.
DDA 2: Represent the State of Oregon as a trial lawyer in the prosecution of misdemeanor and low-level felony proceedings in circuit court and is the mid-level classification in the deputy district attorney series. Provide legal advice and assistance to law enforcement agencies in investigations at all hours of the day and night as well as advising, counseling, and conducting special training for Deputy District Attorney 1 and all law enforcement agencies.
DDA 3: Represent the State of Oregon as a trial lawyer in the prosecution of a specialized caseload of felony and measure 11 offenses. Those offenses include but are not limited to complex property and financial crimes, drug crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse crimes, assault and homicide and is the advanced level classification in the deputy district attorney series. Provide legal advice and assistance to law enforcement agencies in investigations at all hours of the day and night as well as advising, counseling, and conducting special training for Deputy District Attorney 1 or 2 and all law enforcement agencies.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities
Provide assistance and advice to law enforcement and other partner agencies in investigating misdemeanor cases:
  • Assist and advise law enforcement agencies in applications for arrests and search warrants and assists in drafting these warrants when necessary.
  • Provide, on a scheduled basis, off hour, 24 hour a day on call service to law enforcement agencies requiring assistance during nights or weekends.
  • Respond to crime scenes if asked by law enforcement agencies and at the direction of the District Attorney and/or Chief Deputy District Attorney.
  • Provide legal information to law enforcement in regards to unattended deaths, releases body or determines if more investigation of a crime is necessary.
Charge and prosecute crimes in Lincoln County:
  • Determine whether investigations are complete and sufficient for charging.
  • Analyze police reports and evidence of search warrant affidavits, review legal issues and request further investigations, if necessary.
  • Interview, prepare, and subpoena witnesses to testify.
  • Prepare cases and paperwork for filing in the courts.
  • Responsible for negotiating with the defense bar.
  • Alert the District Attorney to potentially high profile or sensitive cases.
  • Research and draft legal opinions and memoranda in response to defense motions.
  • Initiate motions on behalf of the State of Oregon and litigates pretrial motions.
  • Prosecute misdemeanor cases on behalf of the State.
  • Evaluate presentence investigation reports, use knowledge of sentencing guidelines, present evidence of witnesses to support sentencing recommendations, and formulate and regulate appropriate sentences based on criminal convictions and other related factors.
  • Provide support and assistance to survivors and victims, with the assistance and coordination of DA Office Victim Assistance.
  • Analyze probation violation reports to determine whether to proceed with probation violation hearings, initiate and prosecute probation revocations arising out of felony convictions.
  • Prosecute violations of diversion agreements
  • Prepare for and appear in hearings, trials, court arraignments, and other miscellaneous proceedings, covering for other attorneys, when necessary.

Typical Qualifications
EDUCATION
DDA 1/2/3: A Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school.
EXPERIENCE
DDA 1: None. Oregon Certified Law Student with ability to obtain acceptance into the Oregon State Bar within 12 months of hire; Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination (SPPE) provisional license.
DDA 2: Two to three years progressively difficult and complex experiences as a trial attorney.
DDA 3: Four to five years progressively difficult and complex experiences as a trial attorney.
Driver's License:
Oregon Driver's License required within 30 days of hire.
Other Licenses:
Member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing at the time of the appointment.
Knowledge of:
  • Applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
  • Principles and practices of negotiation of conflict resolution.
  • Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
  • Basic principles of forensics, principals of psychology and psychiatry related to criminal behavior, laws relating to forfeiture of property by felons.
  • Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management and performance evaluation.

Skill or ability to:
  • Identify and recommend realistic alternative solutions to problems.
  • Organize, interpret and apply legal principal.
  • Analyze facts, evidence and precedence, properly interpret evaluate and make decisions in accordance with the law.
  • Research, analyze and prepare legal documents, draft complex legal papers, reports and memoranda, set forth findings of facts and decisions in concise written form.
  • Effectively and persuasively argue facts, evidence precedence and recommendations to judges and juries.
  • Present cases to the court skillfully and at a level sufficient to meet opposing counsel.
  • Withstand intense pressures of trial practice.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Lincoln County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
For more information or to obtain the full job description, please reach out to
Lincoln County offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision which is paid at 90% by the County and 10% by the employee. Other fully paid benefits include life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance. Other optional insurances are available. A 401K retirement plan is also provided. The County's current contribution rate is 11%.
Regular and Trial Service employees working between 20 - 39 hours per week on a regular basis are eligible for pro-rated employee benefits.

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