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Legal Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Legal Associate

New York, NY · On-site

$70K - $160K/yr

Legal Associate Millennium's Legal department provides legal advice and guidance to the firm globally, regarding all aspects of the firm's business and operations. The group also handles the legal ...

Legal Associate - Renewables Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Responsibilities: * Coordinate closing of financial transactions (tax credit assignments) * Ensure the timely completion of the ...

... Legal Associate to support a broad range of legal matters within a regulated financial institution. You will report to the head of legal and work closely with business leaders, contributing to ...

... Legal Associate to support a broad range of legal matters within a regulated financial institution. You will report to the head of legal and work closely with business leaders, contributing to ...

In this role, you will be responsible for assisting the legal & compliance teams to ensure that our practices and business standards are aligned with the requirements set forth by territory ...

The Legal Operations Associate is a key member of the legal team, responsible for supporting daily operations related to claim and matter management, payment processing, and compliance activities.

Associate, Bowery Legal

New York, NY · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Bowery Legal is looking for a talented attorney with relevant in-house and/or law firm experience in transactional and corporate law. The associate will primarily be responsible for handling emerging ...

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Legal Associate information

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$8

$29

$60

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in the United States is $29.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Legal Associates?

Legal Associates are early-career lawyers who support more senior attorneys in a law firm or legal department. They conduct legal research, draft documents, assist with case preparation, and may represent clients under supervision. Legal Associates are typically recent law school graduates who have passed the bar exam, and their role is designed to provide hands-on experience while allowing them to develop their legal skills. Over time, Legal Associates may work toward becoming partners or taking on more senior legal positions within their organization.

Are legal associates in demand?

Legal associates are in demand due to ongoing legal needs across various industries, including corporate, criminal, and civil law. The role often requires strong research, writing, and analytical skills, and employment prospects are generally favorable for those with a law degree and relevant experience.

What can I do with an associate degree in law?

A legal associate with an associate degree in law can work as a legal assistant, paralegal, or legal secretary, supporting attorneys with research, document preparation, and case management. These roles often require strong organizational skills and familiarity with legal software but typically do not require a law degree or bar admission.

What are some typical challenges Legal Associates face during their first year at a law firm?

Legal Associates often encounter challenges such as managing a high volume of work under tight deadlines, adapting to the expectations of different partners, and learning to balance administrative tasks with substantive legal research and drafting. Navigating firm culture and building relationships with senior attorneys and clients can also be demanding. However, these challenges provide valuable learning opportunities and help associates develop strong time management, communication, and legal analysis skills crucial for career growth.

What Is a Legal Associate?

A legal associate is a practicing junior attorney at a law firm who works on cases for clients, conducts legal research, and provides legal advice to clients. Other job duties include developing and implementing litigation strategies, supervising legal assistants and paralegals, and representing clients in court. The qualifications you need for a career as a legal associate include a bachelor’s degree and then a law degree from an accredited law school, a license to practice law through your state’s bar association, at least one year of experience working in a law firm, and excellent communication and collaborative skills.

Is $900 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

For a legal associate, earning $900 an hour is considered very high and typically reflects senior-level experience, specialized expertise, or work in high-demand areas such as corporate law or litigation. Most legal associates earn significantly less, with hourly rates often ranging from $100 to $300 depending on location and firm size. Such high rates are more common among partners or highly specialized attorneys rather than entry-level associates.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Legal Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legal Associate, you need a law degree (JD or equivalent), strong research and analytical skills, and attention to detail. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, document management systems, and proficiency in drafting legal documents are essential. Excellent written and verbal communication, time management, and the ability to work collaboratively set standout candidates apart. These skills ensure effective legal analysis, high-quality client service, and successful case outcomes in a demanding legal environment.

What is the difference between Legal Associate vs Paralegal?

AspectLegal AssociateParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), bar admission often preferredAssociate's degree or paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, legal departments, courts, corporate offices
Job ResponsibilitiesLegal research, drafting documents, client interaction, assisting attorneysLegal research, document preparation, case organization, support tasks

Legal Associates typically hold a JD and are licensed to practice law, performing more advanced legal tasks. Paralegals assist attorneys with research and administrative duties but do not require a law degree or license. Both roles work in similar environments, but Legal Associates have a broader scope of responsibilities and legal authority.

What does it mean to be a legal associate?

A legal associate is a junior attorney or lawyer who supports senior lawyers by conducting research, drafting legal documents, and assisting with case preparation. They typically work in law firms or corporate legal departments and need a law degree and bar admission to practice law.
What cities are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities with the most Legal Associate job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Legal jobs? The most popular types of Legal jobs are:
What states have the most Legal Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Legal Associate jobs include:
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,327 per year, or $29 per hour.

$70K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Millennium Management rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Legal Associate
Millennium's Legal department provides legal advice and guidance to the firm globally, regarding all aspects of the firm's business and operations. The group also handles the legal aspects of all firm initiatives, as well as numerous legally intensive projects. We have an opening for a Legal Associate to join our team.
Principal Responsibilities
  • Facilitate the negotiating of counterparty agreements including ISDA, GMRA, GMSLA and Prime Brokerage agreements
  • Act as a main point of contact for external and internal stakeholders involved in negotiation process
  • Coordinate to escalate and resolve any legal issues that arise during negotiations
  • Collaborate with the risk management team to ensure conformity to credit policies
  • Develop and maintain relationships with counterparts at banks and brokers
  • Understand regulatory changes and industry trends and their impact on agreements
  • Provide insights to management on negotiation strategies and counterparty trends
  • Draft amendments to various agreements
  • Maintain various internal summaries (e.g. ISDAs, repos)
  • Organize and accurately maintain electronic documents and files
  • Assist with signature execution and processing of agreements
  • Frequent interaction with colleagues in the operations, accounting, and investor relations departments
  • Take ownership of and track projects through entire life cycle

The estimated base salary range for this position is $70,000 to $160,000, which is specific to New York and may change in the future. Millennium pays a total compensation package which includes a base salary, discretionary performance bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package. When finalizing an offer, we take into consideration an individual's experience level and the qualifications they bring to the role to formulate a competitive total compensation package.

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