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Legal Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Quality Staffing

Legal Associate

Nashville, TN · On-site

$28/hr

Legal Associate The Division of TennCare is seeking a Legal Associate to work within the Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC) to assist with increased transactional operation during the PHE ...

Wellington Management

Legal Associate

Boston, MA · On-site

As a member of the Legal & Compliance group, the Legal Associate will support the firm's public capital market investment activities by reviewing, negotiating, and implementing investment-related ...

Mickelson & Company

Legal Associate

Sioux Falls, SD · On-site

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

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PATRIOT BANK, N.A.

Legal Associate

Stamford, CT · On-site

... 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 ...

Lancesoft INC

Legal Associate

Nashville, TN · On-site

$20 - $28.89/hr

Title: Legal Associate Location: Nashville, TN 37243 Duration: 4 - 5 months Work Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4:30pm CST Position: Onsite PR: $20.00/hr. - $28.89/hr. on W2 without benefits. Key ...

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PATRIOT BANK, N.A.

Legal Associate

Stamford, CT · Remote

... 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 ...

Robert Half

Legal Associate

Cookeville, TN · On-site

We are looking for a detail-oriented Legal Associate to support civil rights compliance activities in Nashville, Tennessee. This is a Long-term Contract opportunity for someone who can manage ...

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Driscoll

Legal Associate

Corpus Christi, TX

The Associate Legal Counsel is a licensed attorney or experienced paralegal who performs general legal services for Driscoll Health System and its affiliated entities (DHS) under the oversight and ...

Wellington Management

Legal Associate

Boston, MA

As a member of the Legal & Compliance group, the Legal Associate will support the firm's public capital market investment activities by reviewing, negotiating, and implementing investment-related ...

InstantServe LLC

Legal Associate

Nashville, TN · On-site

Description Legal Assistant Our client requires the service of 1 Legal Assistant contract resource staff within Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC). Key Responsibilities: Assist with increased ...

Lotto.com

Legal Associate

Hopkinton, MA · On-site

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 ...

Topsort

Commercial Legal Associate

Somerville, MA · On-site

What is this role like We're looking for a Commercial Legal Associate to join our growing global team. This role is focused on helping our commercial engine move faster. You'll own the day-to-day ...

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All JobsLegal Associate Jobs

Legal Associate information

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$8

$29

$60

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 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.

What is a legal associate?

A legal associate is a junior attorney or lawyer who supports senior lawyers by conducting research, drafting documents, and preparing cases. They typically work in law firms or corporate legal departments and need a law degree and bar admission to practice. The role often involves analyzing legal issues and assisting with client consultations.

What is the lowest position in a law firm?

The lowest position in a law firm is typically a legal assistant or legal secretary, who provides administrative support to attorneys. Entry-level roles often require basic legal knowledge, strong organizational skills, and familiarity with legal software. These positions serve as a foundation for advancing to higher roles such as paralegal or associate.

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.

What can you do with an associate degree in law?

A legal associate degree prepares individuals for entry-level roles such as legal assistant, paralegal, or legal secretary. These positions involve supporting attorneys, conducting research, and managing case files, often requiring knowledge of legal software and procedures.

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 rates are more common for 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.

More about Legal Associate jobs
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:
Who are the top companies hiring for Legal Associate jobs? The top employers for Legal Associate jobs are:
What states have the most Legal Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Legal Associate jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs are:
Legal Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $60,327 per year, or $29 per hour.
Legal Associate

Legal Associate

Quality Staffing

Nashville, TN • On-site

$28/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Quality Staffing, Inc., also doing business as Goddard Mason Executive Search, a leading full-service employment agency matching qualified talent with some of the area's top companies, is looking for an experienced Legal Associate to work through our agency as a contract employee with the Tennessee Department of TennCare (TN TennCare) located in Nashville, TN. This is an on-site position working from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday for a total of 40 hours per week. The pay rate for this position is $28.00 per hour.
 
Legal Associate Job Description:
The Division of TennCare is seeking a Legal Associate to work within the Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC) to assist with increased transactional operation during the PHE unwinding. OCRC has realized a significant uptick in discrimination complaints and reasonable accommodation requests during the initial stages of the PHE unwinding and expects this increase in work to last during the duration of the unwinding resulting appeal periods. This role will assist in helping to meet federal and state compliance requirements in processing this increased volume.
 
Legal Associate Key Responsibilities will include:
  • Preparing files to aid the case management processes by inputting information into file databases and organizing case information for review and disposition by case processors and program managers.
  • Documenting case actions taken and providing support to the OCRC Director to respond to complainants as appropriate.
  • Preparing case summaries for the supporting office.
  • Accomplishing organizational goals by remaining agile and tackling new and different requests which are beyond typical administrative tasks and required the specialist expertise of a legal assistant.

Education and Experience Requirements Needed for Legal Associate position: 
  • Must have an associate's or a bachelor's degree.
  • A background in paralegal studies is preferred.
  • Work experience in a legal environment is preferred.
  • Solid customer service experience.
  • Proven technical skills (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word, etc.).
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize work to meet specific deadlines.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Keen attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.
  • Strong notetaking, and email organization and distribution skills.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
 
Benefits Include: 
  • Weekly Pay/Comparable Wages
  • Major Medical Insurance
  • Indemnity Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Term Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability
 
Interested?  Here is how to apply:
  • Click on 'Apply Now' and complete the process.
  • This job closes on 7/8/26 (or when the position is filled) and will no longer accept resumes after this date. 
 
Quality Staffing, Inc. and our subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.
Education:Associate (AA, AS...)Employment Type: CONTRACTOR

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