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Legal Associate Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

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Litigation Legal Assistant

Portland, OR

The Legal Assistant is responsible for delivering high-quality legal and administrative support to ... An associate's degree is preferred. * Strong litigation knowledge and experience.‎ * Exceptional ...

5 Legal

Healthcare Regulatory Associate

Portland, OR · On-site

Top 50 AmLaw firm seeks an associate to join its Healthcare Practice Group in their Portland office ... Strong legal writing, contract drafting, and oral communication skills are essential to this role ...

5 Legal

Corporate Associate

Portland, OR · On-site

Named as one of the world's leading law firms by Chambers Global and top 100 AmLaw firm is seeking an associate to join their M&A and Private Equity Practice Group. Ideal candidates must have 6-8 ...

Legacy Health

Associate General Counsel

Portland, OR · On-site

$108.91/hr

Overview The Associate General Counsel - Healthcare Law will report to the Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, serving as a trusted advisor on healthcare law matters for the organization.

5 Legal

Corporate Transactions Associate

Portland, OR · On-site

Top 50 AmLaw firm seeks an associate to join its Business & Tax Practice Group in any of their San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, or Portland offices. Qualified candidates must have a minimum of 3 ...

W3Global Inc.

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR · On-site +1

$115K - $165K/yr

Utilise modern legal technology and case-management platforms Preferred Qualifications (Both Roles): * Active Idaho Bar Admission preferred * Experience independently managing litigation files

Center for Food Safety

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR · On-site

$85K - $98K/yr

Our groundbreaking legal cases that protect pollinators, farmworkers, and farming communities, and ... The Associate Attorney position is a two-year position with the possibility of promotion and ...

5 Legal

Capital Markets Associate

Portland, OR · On-site

AmLaw 50 firm seeks associates for their Capital Markets group. Qualified candidates will have 2-8 years of securities and capital markets transactions experience and should have substantive ...

TekSky

Associate Attorney

Portland, OR · On-site

Role Description We are seeking a full-time Associate Attorney to join our team in Portland, OR ... In this on-site role, you will handle a diverse array of legal matters, including conducting legal ...

The Springs Living

Associate Attorney

Beaverton, OR · On-site

Position Summary The Springs Living is seeking an Associate Attorney to provides legal support and ... Provide legal counsel and day-to-day support on operational, regulatory, employment, transactional ...

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All JobsLegal Associate JobsLegal Associate Jobs in Portland, OR

Legal Associate information

See Portland, OR salary details

$8

$30

$63

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in Portland, OR is $30.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.38 and $35.67 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 Portland, OR? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Portland, OR are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Associate jobs in Portland, OR? For Legal Associate jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Legal Associate job openings:
Legal Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,978 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

Legal Assistant

Zwicker & Associates, P.C.

Clackamas, OR • On-site

$20/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 20 days ago

Zwicker & Associates rating

4.6

Company rating: 4.6 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

34th of 34 rated law firms

Job description

Description

The most prestigious lending institutions trust Zwicker & Associates, P.C. to protect their legal interests nationwide. Zwicker & Associates P.C. is a national creditor rights law firm that emphasizes ethics, compliance, and assertive representation of our clients' interests, making us the industry leader in debt collection. Founded in 1991, Zwicker represents lenders in various consumer and commercial recovery efforts and litigation. Zwicker is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and has office locations across the United States.



Zwicker is presently seeking a Litigation Assistant to join our team and provide legal administrative onsite support for our office in Clackamas, OR. We are seeking a candidate eager to learn, with exemplary organizational, written, and verbal communication skills. We seek out candidates whose diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences enable the Zwicker team to innovate and excel collaboratively in performance. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing legal documents, analyzing and processing data, and providing administrative support.



The base hourly rate for this position is $20.00, plus applicable bonus.



Responsibilities of Legal Assistants include

  • Analyze and process data, as assigned, to ensure that proper workflow is being adhered to pursuant to the expectations of both clients and Zwicker & Associates
  • Provide and assist in high-level legal administrative and office management support to the Office Manager and attorneys on-site
  • Utilize internal software to properly update and document the status of each account in the assigned inventory
  • Prepare documentation for attorney review
  • File (paper or e-file) pleadings with the various state-specific court filing systems
  • Answer incoming calls
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately with team members and outside parties
  • Comply with all applicable standard operating procedures set forth by the Firm
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Proficient computer skills, including experience in Microsoft Office suite, specifically strong Excel skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Great attention to detail
  • Professionalism and a winning attitude
  • Be able to communicate in a common language with (or to) individuals or groups verbally and/or in writing
  • Be able to operate a computer, phone, or equivalent device
  • Be able to complete a minimum of a 40-hour flexible workweek schedule 
  • Be able to read and comprehend position-specific documents and correspondence

Physical Qualifications

  • Be able to lift five pounds or greater
  • Be able to sit 90% of the workday at times
  • Be able to bend at the waist and be mobile when needed
  • Be able to concentrate and use critical thinking 

Please note that this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities are subject to change at any time, with or without notice.

Zwicker & Associates, P.C. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. If you wish to seek an accommodation regarding the requirements of this position, please inform Human Resources Management. This is a full-time, full-benefit position. The benefit package includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, compensated time off, paid holidays, and 401 (K) with match: no phone calls, no agencies, EOE, drug-free workplace.

Please review our Applicant Privacy Notice:

http://www.zwickerpc.com/job-applicant-privacy-notice/


Each posted position will be active for at least five (5) business days, during which time all qualified and eligible employees can apply.

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