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Entry Level Lawyer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

VA

$80K - $81K/yr

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney - Entry Level Location: Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Schedule: Full-time | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Starting Salary: $80,705 to $81,905 Are you a newly ...

Office Admin

Fredericksburg, VA · On-site

$17.75 - $24.25/hr

Ashburn law firm is seeking and entry level office admin to join our team. The hours would be 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Responsibilities: * Provide support to the attorneys and ...

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Entry Level Lawyer information

See Virginia salary details

$46.6K

$99.8K

$136.8K

How much do entry level lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level lawyer in Virginia is $99,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,300.00 and $102,100.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lawyer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Lawyer jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Lawyer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Lawyer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Lawyer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Entry Level Lawyer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 60% Physical, 11% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,763 per year, or $48 per hour.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney - Entry Level

Henry County / Henry County PSA

VA

$80K - $81K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Welcome to Henry County, Virginia. One of the keys to our success is hiring good employees. Our employees are dedicated, service oriented individuals working together to serve our community. If you are interested in joining our team, we welcome you to apply for employment opportunities with Henry County and Henry County Public Service Authority.

 We’re Hiring: Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney – Entry Level
Location: Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Schedule: Full-time | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Starting Salary: $80,705 to $81,905 
Are you a newly licensed Virginia attorney with a passion for justice, public service, and trial work? Henry County is seeking a highly motivated entry level Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney to join our team and make an immediate impact in the courtroom.
This is an excellent opportunity for recent Virginia Bar admittees to gain hands-on litigation experience and develop their legal careers while working closely with seasoned prosecutors who are committed to mentoring and professional development.

Position Summary
The Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney performs complex professional legal work in the prosecution of criminal cases on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Henry County. Under the general supervision of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Assistant CA prepares and prosecutes cases in the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, General District Court, and Circuit Court, while exercising independent judgment and legal analysis.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
  • Active license to practice law in Virginia and good standing with the Virginia State Bar
  • Valid driver’s license

Why Join Us?
✅ Competitive salary
✅ 100% employer-paid health insurance
✅ Comprehensive benefits package
✅ Generous paid holidays and leave
✅ Work-life balance with a 35-hour work week
✅ Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
✅ Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage and life insurance

Apply Today!
Take the first step in your career as a prosecutor. Join a supportive and professional legal team committed to fairness, justice, and community service. Submit your resume, cover letter, and completed application. This position will remain open until filled.
 
Applicants may use the same online application to apply to multiple job postings and update as necessary. In order to apply, one must submit his or her saved application to each job posting. 
Henry County/Henry County PSA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Personnel decisions are based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.