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Legal Associate Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Legal Secretary

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$80K - $100K/yr

Specialized secretarial degree, associate and/or bachelor's degree desirable but not required ... Thorough familiarity with legal terminology pertinent to general legal concepts and specific area(s ...

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 ...

Legal Secretary

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$80K - $100K/yr

Specialized secretarial degree, associate and/or bachelor's degree desirable but not required ... Thorough familiarity with legal terminology pertinent to general legal concepts and specific area(s ...

Conduct conflict clearance checks for experienced hires including associates, summer associates, and firm-wide staff; checking for potential conflicts of interest. * Interface with Legal Recruiting ...

Be Seen First

Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred; Paralegal certificate a plus * Experience working in a law firm or corporate legal environment * Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and court ...

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Showing results 1-20

Legal Associate information

See Washington salary details

$9

$32

$68

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in Washington is $32.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.78 and $38.12 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 Washington? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Associate jobs in Washington? For Legal Associate jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Legal Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,327 per year, or $32.8 per hour.
Legal Talent Manager

Legal Talent Manager

Latham & Watkins LLP

Washington, DC • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world. The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation, and collaboration.  

About the Role

The Legal Talent Manager is an integral part of Latham's Legal Talent team. The Legal Talent Manager is responsible for overseeing legal talent aligned with their office, committee, or department/practice group remit, which may change as the priorities of the team evolve. The manager uses their experience and understanding of the firm and its processes to strategically plan and implement the goals and objectives of the Legal Talent team across offices, departments, practice groups, and committees. The manager participates in strategic planning alongside their respective firm committee(s) or Chair(s) for all legal talent matters, and helps those stakeholders achieve their own goals and objectives. Focus areas for the manager may include but are not limited to talent development, integration and retention, utilization and staffing, and performance and compensation - all in alignment with the firm's culture, values, and policies.

This team generally encompasses (1) local Legal Talent Managers who work in partnership with local office leaders and local Associates Committee members to oversee the associate and legal professional and paralegal population within each office; (2) global Legal Talent Managers who support the functions and processes of the Associates Committee, Income Partner & Counsel Committee, and Legal Professional & Paralegal Committee and our firmwide associate, counsel, income partner, and legal professional populations, respectively; and (3) global Legal Talent Managers who work with Global Department and Global Practice Group Chairs to oversee legal talent within particular departments and practice groups. In this role, the Legal Talent Manager will work with other Global Legal Talent Managers to support the transactional Global Practice Group Chairs in the Corporate Department and the Finance Department.

This role will be located in either our New York, or Washington DC office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence. 

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Other key responsibilities include:

  • Engaging in day-to-day oversight of legal talent in their respective remit, including utilization, development, and integration, and advising and executing on broader legal talent initiatives
  • Acting as a strategic advisor to relevant firm committees or Chairs by guiding the development and execution of key priorities and talent development at both the macro and micro levels, while supporting leadership meetings, communications, and work product
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with the broader Legal Talent team and other business services teams to collaborate in support of the firm's strategic goals and maintain a robust professional network
  • Participating in the firm's regular progression, performance review, and compensation processes by providing support to relevant firm committees or Chairs throughout the process
  • Promoting effective work practices by working collaboratively as a team member and demonstrating respect for coworkers
  • Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains 

We'd love to hear from you if you:

  • Exhibit excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including organizing, planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and effective interaction with all organizational levels
  • Exhibit proficiency in PC applications, including Microsoft Office Suite and database management, with the ability to conduct thorough analyses and reports
  • Possess the ability to oversee confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion

And have:

  • A bachelor's degree or equivalent, with a J.D. or equivalent, preferably 
  • A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in law, legal talent, or professional services
  • A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience in a related field, preferably
Benefits & Additional Information

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham's comprehensive benefit program which includes:

  • Healthcare, life and disability insurance
  • A generous 401k plan
  • At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
  • Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
  • Professional development programs
  • Employee discounts
  • Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

Please click here to review your rights under U.S. employment laws.

#MidSenior 

Pay RangeUSD $165,000.00 - USD $190,000.00 /Yr.Employment Type: FULL_TIME