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Legal Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Robert Half

Legal Associate

Cookeville, TN · On-site

We are looking for a Legal Associate to support legal and administrative operations for a busy team in Cookeville, Tennessee. This Long-term Contract position is ideal for someone who can manage ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Driscoll

Legal Associate

Corpus Christi, TX · On-site

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

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 ...

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 ...

Apidel Technologies

Legal Associate

Nashville, TN

TennCare's Office of General Counsel (OGC) requires the services of 1 Legal Assistant (LA) contract resource staff to support a significant increase in communications from advocates and legal ...

Lotto.com

Legal Associate

Hopkinton, MA

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 ...

Gwinnett County

Legal Associate II

Lawrenceville, GA

$47K - $75K/yr

Class Summary The Legal Associate II is responsible for providing complex clerical and legal support to two or more staff attorneys. This position prepares court exhibits, drafts pleadings ...

Topsort

Commercial Legal Associate

Somerville, MA

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 ...

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 ...

Topsort

Commercial Legal Associate

Somerville, MA

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 26, 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,327 per year, or $29 per hour.
Legal Associate

Legal Associate

Robert Half

Cookeville, TN • On-site

Temporary

Posted yesterday

Job description

We are looking for a Legal Associate to support legal and administrative operations for a busy team in Cookeville, Tennessee. This Long-term Contract position is ideal for someone who can manage documentation, coordinate schedules, handle communications, and help keep legal matters organized and on track. The role requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to work efficiently across reporting, records management, and case-related support activities.
Responsibilities:
• Manage legal files, correspondence, and archived records to ensure documents are accurate, accessible, and properly maintained.
• Prepare, format, and review routine legal and administrative documents while supporting document control and quality checks.
• Handle inbound calls, respond to inquiries professionally, and route matters to the appropriate legal or administrative contacts.
• Maintain calendars, schedule meetings, and organize agenda materials to support attorneys, counsel, and related stakeholders.
• Track case activity, dispute matters, and key deadlines using spreadsheets, trackers, and monitoring tools.
• Assist with reporting tasks by compiling updates, maintaining status logs, and providing organized information to the team.
• Support document review efforts related to litigation, administrative law, and other legal proceedings.
• Identify issues affecting workflow or case support and help resolve them through timely follow-up and clear communication.• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally by phone and in writing.
• Experience supporting legal, administrative, or document-driven operations in a structured office environment.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, reporting tools, and electronic tracking systems used to manage deadlines and records.
• Ability to coordinate calendars, meetings, and follow-up activities while handling multiple priorities effectively.
• Familiarity with legal documentation, document review, archiving practices, or litigation support processes.
• Strong attention to detail and quality standards when reviewing records, preparing materials, and maintaining trackers.
• Ability to assess routine issues, escalate concerns when needed, and contribute to timely problem resolution.
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About Robert Half

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Founded in 1948, Robert Half pioneered the idea of professional talent solutions to connect opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. As business needs changed, we evolved to offer specialized talent solutions for finance and accounting, technology, administrative and customer support, creative and marketing, and legal fields. In 2002, we introduced our subsidiary, Protiviti, a global independent risk consulting and internal audit service, to support companies as they faced more strategic business challenges.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Ramon, CA, US

Year founded

1948

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