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First Year Associate Attorney Jobs in California

Sierra Club

Associate Attorney

Oakland, CA

Associate Attorney Department: Environmental Law Program Location: Oakland, CA Reports To: Managing ... N/A Duration: 2-year position, beginning August or September 2027 Context : At the Sierra Club, we ...

Sierra Club

Associate Attorney

Oakland, CA · On-site

Associate Attorney Department: Environmental Law Program Location: Oakland, CA Reports To: Managing ... N/A Duration: 2-year position, beginning August or September 2027 Context : At the Sierra Club, we ...

Jobot

Associate Attorney

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$180K - $300K/yr

Salary: $180,000 - $300,000 per year A bit about us: ----- We are seeking an experienced Permanent Associate Attorney to join our dynamic legal team. This role is ideal for a motivated self-starter ...

Raya Workforce

Associate Attorney

Temecula, CA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Temecula, CA (Hybrid) Compensation: $150,000 - $170,000/year Employment Type: Full-time About the Opportunity A nationally recognized law firm with a specialized focus on representing policyholders ...

BD&J Injury Lawyers

Be Seen First

Associate Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Attorney to join our ... Proficiency/performance bonus * 401K * 80 hours of vacation the first year of employment * Paid ...

W3Global Inc.

Associate Attorney

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $160K/yr

The Associate Attorney will independently manage a caseload of family law matters, including ... Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet billable hour requirements (1,650/year)

MANUKYAN LAW FIRM

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Associate Attorney- Employment Law

Glendale, CA · On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

We are looking to hire an associate attorney, preferably a first or second year attorney, who has experience with answering discovery. We practice Plaintiff's side employment law. Responsibilities ...

Jobot

Associate Attorney

Pasadena, CA · Hybrid

$110K - $180K/yr

Salary: $110,000 - $180,000 per year A bit about us: ----- We are a growing nation-wide litigation ... OPPORTUNITY | Associate Attorney Our Pasadena, CA office seeks a highly motivated, diligent ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsFirst Year Associate Attorney JobsFirst Year Associate Attorney Jobs in California

First Year Associate Attorney information

See California salary details

$45.4K

$106.7K

$170.2K

How much do first year associate attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for first year associate attorney in California is $106,744.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a first year associate attorney?

A First Year Associate Attorney is a newly hired lawyer at a law firm, typically in their first year of practicing law after graduating from law school and passing the bar exam. These associates work under the supervision of more experienced attorneys, assisting with legal research, drafting documents, and supporting case preparation. Their primary focus is on learning firm procedures, building foundational legal skills, and gaining practical experience in their chosen area of law. The position is usually the entry-level role for attorneys at most law firms.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a first year associate attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Year Associate Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, strong legal research and writing skills, and a solid understanding of core legal concepts. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and experience with case management systems are typically required. Excellent communication, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage time efficiently are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure effective client service, high-quality legal work, and successful collaboration within a fast-paced law firm environment.

What are some common challenges faced by first year associate attorneys, and how can they effectively manage their workload?

First Year Associate Attorneys often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple assignments, meeting tight deadlines, and adapting to the firm's expectations for quality and accuracy. Effective time management and clear communication with supervising attorneys are essential skills to develop early on. It's helpful to proactively seek feedback, ask questions to clarify tasks, and use organizational tools to prioritize work. Building strong relationships with peers and mentors can also provide valuable support and guidance as you navigate the demands of the role.

What cities in California are hiring for First Year Associate Attorney jobs?

Cities in California with the most First Year Associate Attorney job openings:

First Year Associate Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Year Associate Attorney job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $106,744 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Compensation & Benefits Associate Attorney

Direct Counsel

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$260K - $390K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Compensation & Benefits Associate Attorney
Locations

Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Downtown Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; Palo Alto, California; Reston, Virginia; San Diego, California; San Francisco, California; Santa Monica, California; Washington, DC

Direct Counsel is seeking a Compensation & Benefits Associate Attorney to join the nationally recognized executive compensation and employee benefits practice of a premier law firm.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a 3rd–6th year associate with sophisticated experience in executive compensation, equity arrangements, public company disclosure, and transactional benefits support to work on high-profile matters involving M&A, IPOs, and complex compensation structures.

The role offers substantial exposure to deal-driven compensation work, public company counseling, and executive arrangements for leading corporate clients.

Position Overview

The ideal candidate will have 3–6 years of executive compensation and employee benefits experience, including strong familiarity with:

  • Equity and executive compensation
  • Proxy disclosures
  • Employment agreements
  • Severance agreements
  • IRC Sections 280G and 409A
  • Compensation issues in mergers & acquisitions
  • IPO-related compensation matters
  • Public company governance and disclosure support

This is an excellent opportunity for an associate who enjoys both standalone executive compensation counseling and deal-side compensation support.

Key Responsibilities
  • Advise clients on:
    • Executive compensation arrangements
    • Equity incentive plans
    • Employment and severance agreements
    • Change-in-control protections
    • Deferred compensation structures
  • Support compensation and benefits issues in:
    • M&A transactions
    • IPOs
    • Capital markets transactions
    • Corporate restructurings
  • Draft and review:
    • Equity award agreements
    • Proxy disclosures
    • Employment contracts
    • Retention and severance agreements
    • Transaction bonus and rollover structures
  • Counsel on compliance with:
    • IRC 280G
    • IRC 409A
    • SEC disclosure requirements
  • Work closely with M&A, capital markets, tax, and employment teams on integrated matters
  • Advise boards, compensation committees, and senior executives on compensation governance issues
Qualifications
  • J.D. from an accredited law school
  • 3–6 years of compensation & benefits experience
  • Strong background in:
    • Executive compensation
    • Equity compensation
    • Proxy disclosures
    • M&A and IPO compensation support
    • 280G and 409A analysis
  • Excellent academic credentials
  • Superior writing, oral communication, and analytical skills
  • Strong client counseling and drafting abilities
  • Admission in the applicable jurisdiction preferred
Compensation

Base salary range: $260,000 – $390,000

Compensation will vary based on office, class year, experience, and overall fit.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal attorney will be:

  • Strong in executive compensation and public company work
  • Comfortable with transaction-side benefits support
  • Experienced with 280G and 409A technical issues
  • Interested in high-level board and compensation committee matters
  • Commercially minded and detail-oriented
  • Looking for national platform sophistication
Why This Opportunity

This is a highly attractive opportunity for a midlevel executive compensation associate seeking sophisticated deal flow, public company counseling, and strong national flexibility across major legal markets. The multi-office platform plus M&A/IPO crossover makes this especially compelling for associates looking to deepen both technical and transactional compensation expertise.