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First Year Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Counsel - Transactional LIHTC

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$175K - $210K/yr

We need a 7-10-year attorney with deep LIHTC and affordable housing transactional expertise who can ... The firm has grown from 6 to 16 people in its first year and is opening a new Buffalo, NY office.

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First Year Attorney information

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$40.5K

$98.3K

$192K

How much do first year attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for first year attorney in the United States is $98,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a first year attorney?

A first year attorney is a lawyer who has recently graduated from law school and has just begun practicing law, typically in their first year at a law firm or legal organization. These attorneys are often referred to as 'associates' and usually focus on learning the foundational aspects of legal practice, performing research, drafting documents, and assisting more senior lawyers. The first year is considered a training period where new attorneys gain practical experience, develop professional skills, and begin to build their legal careers.

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

To thrive as a First Year Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a state bar license, and a strong foundation in legal research, writing, and analytical reasoning. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, document management systems, and e-discovery tools is typically required. Excellent communication, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage deadlines are standout soft skills in this position. These competencies are crucial for producing accurate work, meeting client and firm expectations, and building a successful legal career from the outset.

What are some common challenges faced by first year attorneys, and how can they be addressed?

First year attorneys often face challenges related to managing a steep learning curve, balancing heavy workloads, and adapting to the fast-paced environment of a law firm or legal department. It's common to feel overwhelmed by billable hour requirements and the expectation to deliver high-quality work while learning firm procedures. Building strong relationships with mentors and colleagues, seeking regular feedback, and taking proactive steps to improve time management skills can help ease the transition. Many firms also offer training programs and support networks to assist new attorneys in developing their legal and professional skills.

What is the difference between First Year Attorney vs Law Clerk?

AspectFirst Year AttorneyLaw Clerk
Required CredentialsJ.D. degree, bar admissionJ.D. degree, often bar admission not required
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesCourts, law firms, government offices
Employer & Industry UsageLegal industry, post-law schoolJudicial and legal institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

First Year Attorneys and Law Clerks often share similar educational backgrounds, but First Year Attorneys are typically recent law school graduates working as entry-level lawyers, while Law Clerks usually assist judges or attorneys with research and drafting. Both roles require a J.D. degree, but First Year Attorneys are more involved in client representation and legal practice, whereas Law Clerks focus on research and case preparation. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right position based on their career goals and experience.

More about First Year Attorney jobs

What cities are hiring for First Year Attorney jobs?

Cities with the most First Year Attorney job openings:

What states have the most First Year Attorney jobs?

States with the most job openings for First Year Attorney jobs include:

What job categories do people searching First Year Attorney jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for First Year Attorney jobs are:

First Year Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Year Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,330 per year, or $47.3 per hour.

Associate Attorney

Zanes Law Injury Lawyers LLC

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$100K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Two positions available - 1 entry level, newly licensed attorney; 1 experienced attorney
Zanes Law Injury Lawyers is looking for two driven Associate Attorneys ready to work alongside some of the most accomplished personal injury lawyers in Arizona. We don't chase every case that walks through the door, we built a system designed to put you in front of the ones worth your time, backed by the people and process to help you close them at the highest possible value.
This isn't a lottery ticket. It's the predictable result of a formula we'll teach you.
The Formula That Makes This Possible
Most firms tell you to hustle harder. We built a system instead:
  • We say no to low-value cases. Our attorneys don't spend their time on files that won't move the needle. That's a deliberate strategy, not a talking point, it's why our per-case value runs high and our attorneys aren't buried in low value work.
  • Decades of proven case strategy. Our attorneys have a track record of securing seven-figure resolutions in high-value personal injury and wrongful death cases.
  • Hands-on mentorship from 20+ year veterans who will sharpen your skills and accelerate your case value.
  • A powerhouse, stable support staff. You'll work with experienced, tenured pre-litigation case managers, not a revolving door of new hires learning on your files.
  • Proven systems, not chaos. Structure and process carry the weight that other firms expect individual hustle to carry alone.
Who Thrives Here
We're looking for an attorney who is:
  • Highly motivated and coachable and willing to learn our formula rather than reinvent their own.
  • A team player who sees the value of a support system, not a lone-wolf operator.
  • Professional, drama-free, and focused on outcomes over ego.
We call this culture the G.O.A.T. standard — Give a Damn about our clients and team, Overdeliver in everything we do, be A Blessing to the people we serve, and stay Totally Drama Free: professional, respectful, and free of the noise that distracts from doing great work for clients.
What You'll Earn
We don't bury our numbers, because we're proud of them:
  • Base salary: $100,000 salary - Newly licensed attorney; $150,000 – $225,000 base salary, depending on experience, plus a lucrative bonus structure
  • No experienced attorney on our team earns less than $300,000 in total compensation (salary + bonus) — including first-year attorneys, with one narrow exception in year one.
  • After year one, typical total compensation is $400,000+
  • Top performers earn approaching $600,000
Benefits
•       401(k)
•       Safe Harbor Profit Sharing Plan
•       Cash Balance Profit Sharing Plan (for qualified employees) 
•       Majority company-paid health insurance
•       Company-paid short-term disability
•       $25,000 company-paid life insurance
•       Company-paid Attorney CLE
•       Long-term disability
•       Dental insurance
•       Vision insurance
•       PTO and STO
Requirements
•       Active Arizona State Bar license in good standing
•       This is an in-office position at our flagship office: 3333 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018 (not remote)
Zanes Law Injury Lawyer is an Arizona Licensed Alternative Business Structure