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Legal Associate Jobs in Federal Way, WA (NOW HIRING)

R & W Group

Legal Secretary

Seattle, WA

$70K - $96K/yr

High school diploma required; associate's or bachelor's degree preferred. * Minimum of 10 years of legal secretarial experience in a law firm or professional services environment. * Typing ...

R & W Group

Temporary Legal Secretary

Seattle, WA

$34 - $45/hr

High school diploma required; associate's or bachelor's degree preferred. * Minimum of 10 years of legal secretarial experience in a law firm or professional services environment. * Typing ...

5 Legal

Fintech Associate

Seattle, WA

One of Fortune's Best Places to Work and top 50 AmLaw firm, is seeking associates to join their ... At least 2 years of substantive experience handling regulatory and legal issues related to Fintech.

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All JobsLegal Associate JobsLegal Associate Jobs in Federal Way, WA

Legal Associate information

See Federal Way, WA salary details

$9

$32

$67

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in Federal Way, WA is $32.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.49 and $37.60 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 Federal Way, WA? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Federal Way, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Associate jobs in Federal Way, WA? For Legal Associate jobs in Federal Way, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs in Federal Way, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs in Federal Way, WA are:
What cities near Federal Way, WA are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities near Federal Way, WA with the most Legal Associate job openings:
Legal Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in Federal Way, WA 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 $67,370 per year, or $32.4 per hour.

Legal Secretary

R & W Group

Seattle, WA

$70K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Are you an experienced legal secretary? Do you live in the Seattle, WA area? Would you like to join one of the top law firms in the US? If so, R & W Group has a fantastic new opportunity! One of our favorite law firm clients is looking for a legal sectary in Seattle, WA. In this role you would provide high-level administrative and legal support to attorneys and practice teams in our Seattle office. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building strong relationships, and takes pride in delivering outstanding client service.
In this position, you would play a critical role in ensuring attorneys can focus on delivering exceptional legal work while you manage the administrative and operational details that keep matters moving forward. Key Responsibilities
  • Preparing, editing, proofreading, and formatting legal documents, correspondence, agreements, pleadings, motions, subpoenas, contracts, and other legal materials.
  • Managing attorney workflow, priorities, and deadlines while serving as a trusted resource and partner.
  • Collaborating closely with attorneys, colleagues, and the Attorney Resource Center (ARC) to provide seamless support.
  • Assisting with client billing activities, including reviewing and editing prebills and coordinating with the Billing Department.
  • Opening new client matters and coordinating requests for client files and records through the firm's Information Governance team.
  • Coordinating domestic and international travel arrangements through the firm's approved travel provider.
  • Entering, reviewing, and finalizing attorney time entries in accordance with firm procedures.
  • Maintaining both electronic and physical filing systems, ensuring documents are accurately organized and stored.
  • Coordinating meetings, conferences, client visits, and special events, including conference room reservations, catering, technology support, and Outlook invitations.
  • Managing calendars, appointments, phone communications, contact lists, and routine correspondence.
  • Providing transcription and dictation support as needed.
  • Organizing incoming mail and ensuring timely routing of documents and communications.
  • Processing expense reports, invoices, and accounts payable submissions.
  • Managing original legal documents, deposition transcripts, and records with accuracy and confidentiality.
  • Converting and formatting documents across multiple platforms, including Word, PDF, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Supporting attorneys and practice teams with a variety of administrative and project-based requests.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized professional who combines strong technical skills with exceptional judgment, professionalism, and client service. Qualifications
  • High school diploma required; associate's or bachelor's degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years of legal secretarial experience in a law firm or professional services environment.
  • Typing proficiency of 60+ words per minute.
  • Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and document management systems.
  • Experience with legal technology platforms and applications, including iManage, Emburse, DTE Time Entry, or similar systems.
  • Experience using ChatGPT, Copilot, and/or Claude a plus.
  • Thorough understanding of legal terminology, legal documentation, and court filing procedures, including electronic filings.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational and project management abilities with a keen attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing demands.
  • Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment.
  • Proven ability to deliver superior client service to both internal and external clients.
  • Flexibility to work additional hours when business needs require.
Applicants should submit their resume and cover letter for consideration.
Solid compensation ($70 - $96k depending upon experience) plus OT and potential bonus. Benefits include health insurance. Great team. Apply online or register with us at www.r-wgroup.com.