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Legal Associate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Legal Externs will serve as generalists, supporting the legal team on issues spanning employment law, data privacy, commercial contracts, intellectual property, and litigation. Receiving supervision ...

This is an Entry-Level Legal Assistant position; no experience required. The ideal candidate will ... Associate's or Bachelor's Degree preferred * High school or equivalent required Benefits: * PTO ...

New

Legal Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$78K - $82K/yr

PenBay Technology Gorup is seeking a Legal Administrator to provide full-time support on-site ... Coordinate closely with OGC offices, Directors, and Associate General Counsels for those offices ...

New

Legal Secretary 1

Warm Springs, VA · On-site

$40K - $55K/yr

The Legal Services Program at Montana State Hospital is responsible for providing legal ... A high school diploma or equivalent, prefer associate degree or two-year vocational training.

Legal Secretary 1

Warm Springs, VA · On-site

$40K - $55K/yr

The Legal Services Program at Montana State Hospital is responsible for providing legal ... A high school diploma or equivalent, prefer associate degree or two-year vocational training.

Legal Secretary 1

Warm Springs, VA

$40K - $55K/yr

The Legal Services Program at Montana State Hospital is responsible for providing legal ... A high school diploma or equivalent, prefer associate degree or two-year vocational training.

Legal Secretary 1

Warm Springs, VA

$40K - $55K/yr

The Legal Services Program at Montana State Hospital is responsible for providing legal ... A high school diploma or equivalent, prefer associate degree or two-year vocational training.

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies or related field * Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Legal Assistant in a litigation practice * Excellent written and verbal communication ...

Legal Assistant

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$45K - $60K/yr

Applicants must have excellent administrative and legal skills, be professional, well organized ... Bachelor's or Associate's) and a minimum of three years of law firm experience preferred.

Summary The Legal Administrative Assistant (LAA) working in collaboration with and in support of ... Provides practice-specific support to multiple associates, partners, and other attorneys ...

Legal Administrative Assistant

Reston, VA · Hybrid

$37.50 - $48.75/hr

Summary The Legal Administrative Assistant (LAA) working in collaboration with and in support of ... Provides practice-specific support to multiple associates, partners, and other attorneys ...

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Showing results 1-20

Legal Associate information

See Virginia salary details

$8

$28

$59

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in Virginia is $28.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $33.37 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Legal jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Associate jobs in Virginia? For Legal Associate jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Legal Associate job openings:
Legal Externship

Part-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Job Description:

POLITICO is seeking two (2) externs to join our in-house legal team. This externship offers a unique opportunity to gain a wide range of legal and business experience within a fast-paced digital media environment.

Legal Externs will serve as generalists, supporting the legal team on issues spanning employment law, data privacy, commercial contracts, intellectual property, and litigation. Receiving supervision and mentorship from Senior Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, and global legal team, this opportunity is designed to provide meaningful, substantive experience while contributing directly to our legal operations.

Who You Are:

  • A current J.D. candidate (2L or 3L preferred) in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school
  • Eligible to receive academic credit through your school's externship or clinic program
  • Interested in employment law, privacy law or commercial transactions
  • Interested in a corporate, media or technology environment

What You'll Do:

Legal Research & Analysis:

  • Conduct legal research across multiple practice areas and prepare memoranda with findings and recommendations
  • Draft internal guidance documents on legal standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting the business

Labor & Employment

  • Support day-to-day employment matters including hiring, performance management, leave policies, and worker classification
  • Assist with union-related matters and collective bargaining agreement compliance
  • Research and summarize employment and labor law issues

Data Privacy & Compliance

  • Assist with U.S. and EU privacy compliance efforts, including GDPR and state laws
  • Support Privacy Impact Assessments and compliance gap analyses
  • Research emerging privacy regulations

Commercial Contracts

  • Help manage contracts, track deadlines, and organize files
  • Conduct due diligence reviews and summarize key terms

Intellectual Property

  • Assist with trademark infringement analysis and brand protection efforts
  • Research IP issues and provide summaries

Litigation Support

  • Assist with document review, case tracking, and litigation hold processes
  • Prepare case summaries and research relevant case law

Project Management & Administration

  • Track deadlines and coordinate materials across projects
  • Maintain legal files and documentation
  • Support cross-functional communication and project coordination
  • Participate in meetings and observe legal counsel advising stakeholders

What You'll Need:

  • Current enrollment in a J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school (2L or 3L preferred)
  • Eligibility for academic credit through a law school externship or clinic program
  • Strong legal research and analytical skills, including experience with Westlaw, LexisNexis, or similar tools
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
  • Professional judgment and discretion with confidential information

Program details:

  • Term: Summer (June-August)
  • Location: POLITICO HQ in Arlington, VA
  • Schedule: Part-time or full-time (please indicate your availability in your application)
  • This is an unpaid, for-credit externship.

Application requirements:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter describing interest in in-house legal work and relevant experience
  • Writing sample (3-5 pages)
  • Confirmation of externship credit eligibility from law school

At POLITICO, we value integrity, collaboration, and innovation. This role offers the opportunity to work alongside top executives and contribute to a dynamic HR team. If you are an organized, motivated, and detail-driven professional who thrives in an in-office setting, we encourage you to apply.

We value our people.Clickherefor more on what we offer and whatit'slike to work for POLITICO.

Let'skeep in touch.You can view our list of open positionshereand email uscareers@politico.com. We hope to see your application soon!

About Us.

POLITICO illuminates the forces shaping global power. Since 2007, we have delivered intelligence thatanticipatestomorrow's headlines, not reports on yesterday's news. As politics has increasingly become the defining force of our era, our work has never been more vital.

Cabinet secretaries and Ministers start their mornings with our analysis. CEOs shape strategy around our reporting. Advocacy leaders rely on our insights to move policy. We deliver the straightforward facts and clear-eyed analysis they need to navigate the most complex political landscape of our lifetimes.

Our 1,100+ publishing professionals across the world's key democratic capitals-Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, Sacramento, and New York-form the world's premier politics and policy newsroom. We tell the story of how power really works by explaining who wields it and how they plan to exercise it, connecting dots others miss and delivering scoops from sources othersdon'teven know exist.

Innovation has always been a core tenet of our story. At launch, we bet that depth would trump scale, that talent would trump traffic, and that politics would become central to modern life. In 2011, we made another bet and launched POLITICO Pro to help decision-makers understand the business of government, transforming both how they shape government action and the business of journalism itself.

These bets have made POLITICO the most successful digital news startup of its generation and the indispensable resource for leaders who shape the future. Today, we are a rarity inmedia: a growing, profitable, and sustainable news organization.

POLITICO is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE, a family-owned transatlantic media company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Axel Springer is dedicated to shaping the future of journalism in the free world, believing that a free and informed society is essential to democracy. The company's guiding principles - first articulated asThe Essentialsby founder Axel Springer in the aftermath of World War II - remain a cornerstone of the company's foundation today.Learn more about Axel Springer.

Posting date:

2026-03-26

Title:

Legal Externship