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Legal Associate Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

UMB Financial Corporation

Legal Counsel

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$141K - $207K/yr

UMB's Corporate Legal department serves many lines of business throughout our footprint by ... We provide the training and support to encourage success in our associate's career. We also ...

BJC HealthCare

Legal Secretary

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$40K - $54K/yr

Associate's Degree - Legal Assistant/Paralegal Benefits and Legal Statement BJC Total Rewards At BJC we're committed to providing you and your family with benefits and resources to help you manage ...

Jobgether

Our partner is looking for a Legal Operations Associate based in Netherlands. This remote opportunity is designed for a detail-oriented legal professional who enjoys combining legal expertise with ...

New

Port KC

Legal Assistant

Kansas City, MO

Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field preferred. * 3-5 years of project coordination, legal administration, executive support, or ...

BJC HealthCare

Legal Secretary

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$21.58 - $35.84/hr

Associate's Degree - Legal Assistant/Paralegal Benefits and Legal Statement BJC Total Rewards At BJC we're committed to providing you and your family with benefits and resources to help you manage ...

DCC Propane, LLC

Legal Assistant

Kansas City, MO · On-site

Position Summary The Legal Assistant / Paralegal supports DCC Propane's legal, compliance, risk ... Associate degree, Paralegal Certificate, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

DCC Propane, LLC

Legal Assistant

Kansas City, MO · On-site

Position Summary The Legal Assistant / Paralegal supports DCC Propane's legal, compliance, risk ... Associate degree, Paralegal Certificate, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Harness IP

Legal Assistant

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$23.78 - $28/hr

An associate degree or higher is ideal. Join us in safeguarding our innovative ideas while advancing your career in a vibrant legal setting! We value proactive individuals who thrive on detailed work ...

DCC Propane, LLC

Legal Assistant

MO · On-site

Position Summary The Legal Assistant / Paralegal supports DCC Propane's legal, compliance, risk ... Associate degree, Paralegal Certificate, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

DCC Propane, LLC

Legal Assistant

Kansas City, MO · Hybrid

Position Summary The Legal Assistant / Paralegal supports DCC Propane's legal, compliance, risk ... Associate degree, Paralegal Certificate, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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All JobsLegal Associate JobsLegal Associate Jobs in Missouri

Legal Associate information

See Missouri salary details

$7

$27

$56

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in Missouri is $27.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $31.59 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 are the most commonly searched types of Legal jobs in Missouri? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Missouri are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Associate jobs in Missouri? For Legal Associate jobs in Missouri, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs in Missouri look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs in Missouri are:
What cities in Missouri are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities in Missouri with the most Legal Associate job openings:
Legal Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in Missouri as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,587 per year, or $27.2 per hour.

Legal Counsel

UMB Financial Corporation

Kansas City, MO • On-site

$141K - $207K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

UMB's Corporate Legal department serves many lines of business throughout our footprint by providing legal education, counsel and advice. They facilitate the needs of their clients (UMB Financial Corporation, its subsidiaries and its shareholders) through subject matter expertise, as well as relationships with outside counsel, where necessary.
The Legal Counsel at UMB, works hand in hand with line of business leaders and stakeholders to research and advise on legal issues; evaluate, educate clients regarding, and help to minimize, risk; review, negotiate and draft agreements; participate in projects and process improvements; prepare and distribute regular status reports; summarize trends and issues.
At UMB, we want to be everything to our clients. In order for us to support that, we strive to make our associates well rounded and encourage them to approach situations in a collaborative way. We provide the training and support to encourage success in our associate's career. We also recognize that work/life balance and community involvement is important to many of our associates, so we make sure to think outside the box and provide options and opportunities for our associates.
How you'll spend your time:
  • Assist in planning, organizing, and executing meetings of the Boards of Directors and their committees, including annual and special meetings. Draft, review, and edit board and committee minutes, agendas, resolutions, consents, and related materials.

  • Assist in maintaining corporate records and governance databases, including minute books, charters, bylaws, policies, and director/officer records, ensuring accuracy and audit readiness.

  • Support the preparation, review, and filing of SEC documents, including current, quarterly, and annual reports and proxy materials, ownership reports and registration statements in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external advisors.

  • Assist with stock exchange compliance and governance-related listings requirements, including director independence assessments and committee composition tracking.

  • Assist with bank and bank holding company regulatory compliance from a board and governance standpoint.

  • Support insider trading compliance administration, including maintenance of blackout calendars, under supervision.

  • Maintain awareness of evolving regulatory and governance trends and prepare summaries or recommendations for the Corporate Secretary function.

  • Collaborate with different lines of businesses and corporate support functions to ensure that operations and strategies are managed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

  • Will be a trusted advisor to senior leaders.

We're excited to talk with you if you have:
  • JD and license to practice law.

  • 4+ years of relevant experience in corporate law, securities, or company governance; experience within financial services or a publicly traded environment strongly preferred.

  • Familiarity with SEC reporting, stock exchange listing standards and corporate governance best practices.

  • Familiarity with Regulation O and a financial or accounting background a bonus.

  • Strong leadership and teaming capabilities and the ability to operate independently and collaboratively.

  • Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to distill complex topics for diverse stakeholders.

  • Strong working knowledge of legal issues in assigned areas.

  • Strong skills in relationship building, critical thinking, strategic vision, and ability to mitigate risk in decision making.

This position was posted on 07/13/2026. The application deadline for this position is 45 days from the posting date unless filled earlier.
Compensation Range:
$141,354 - $207,900
The posted compensation range on this listing represents UMB's good faith and reasonable estimate based on its budget and what it expects to be the starting pay for this role, but the actual compensation may vary by geographic location, experience level, and other job-related factors. Please see the description of benefits included with this job posting for additional information.
UMB offers competitive and varied benefits to eligible associates, such as Paid Time Off; a 401(k) matching program; annual incentive pay; paid holidays; a comprehensive company sponsored benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage; health savings, flexible spending, and dependent care accounts; adoption assistance; an employee assistance program; fitness reimbursement; tuition reimbursement; an associate wellbeing program; an associate emergency fund; and various associate banking benefits. Benefit offerings and eligibility requirements vary.
Are you ready to be part of something more?
You're more than a means to an end-a way to help us meet the bottom line. UMB isn't comprised of workers, but of people who care about their work, one another, and their community. Expect more than the status quo. At UMB, you can expect more heart. You'll be valued for exactly who you are and encouraged to support causes you care about. Expect more trust. We want you to do the right thing, no matter what. And, expect more opportunities. UMBers are known for having multiple careers here and having their voices heard.
UMB and its affiliates are committed to inclusion and diversity and provide employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need accommodation for any part of the employment process because of a disability, please send an e-mail to talentacquisition@umb.com to let us know the nature of your request.
If you are a California resident, please visit our Privacy Notice for California Job Candidates to understand how we collect and use your personal information when you apply for employment with UMB.
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