ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Legal Associate Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Lawyers On Demand, a Consilio Company

Be Seen First

CONTRACT Legal Recruiting Coordinator

Washington, DC · On-site

$65/hr

Collaborate and work closely with Summer Associate Program Committee. * Coordinate virtual on ... An undergraduate degree and a minimum of one year of legal recruiting experience is required. Law ...

PenBay Media LLC

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 ...

Akin Gump

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 ...

Akin

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 ...

Latitude Inc

Legal Conflicts Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

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 ...

Akin Gump

Legal Secretary

Washington, DC · On-site

$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 ...

Puyenpa

Legal Administrators

Washington, DC · On-site

Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered. * Experience in a legal, administrative, compliance, or government-program environment strongly preferred. * Strong ...

The Midtown Group

Be Seen First

Legal Assistant OR Paralegal

Washington, DC · On-site

$50K - $82K/yr

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLegal Associate JobsLegal Associate Jobs in Reston, VA

Legal Associate information

See Reston, VA salary details

$8

$30

$62

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in Reston, VA is $30.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.00 and $35.00 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 Reston, VA? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Associate jobs in Reston, VA? For Legal Associate jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Legal Associate job openings:
Legal Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in Reston, VA 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 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,762 per year, or $30.2 per hour.
Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant

Southern Management Corporation

Mclean, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Legal Assistant to support our legal team by managing correspondence, preparing legal documents, maintaining and organizing files, coordinating meetings and court dates, and ensuring accurate case record management. If you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to contribute to a collaborative team, we encourage you to apply. If your qualifications align with the requirements below, we would love to hear from you!

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU:
  • Primary support for the Office of General Counsel, including all members of the team
  • Assist Legal Operations and Risk Manager with general litigation
  • Organize team events and meetings
  • Maintain organizational compliance
  • Assist with financial transactions
  • Organize and maintain all physical and electronic files
  • Calendar management
  • Review, distribute, and organize mail
  • Electronic file management
  • Assist with formatting of Word documents
  • Process outside counsel invoices
  • Prepare and maintain both insurance and non-insurance case tracking
  • Attend meetings as required or requested
  • Assist with responses to all subpoenas issued to Southern Management and itsaffiliates
  • Track subpoena responses, settlement payments, and ongoing litigation matters
  • Draft correspondence, transactional, legal, and other documents as necessary
  • Conduct legal and other research
  • Assist with tracking of new legislation
  • Assist with compiling and submission of monthly time chargebacks from the team
  • Perform document review and production related to litigation
  • Assist the team in the administration of legal work, litigation, and any other work
  • Assist landlord-tenant team at failure to pay rent court dates as needed (requires localtravel)
  • Periodically assist the landlord-tenant team with mail from Prince George's L&T court
  • Comply with all Southern Management's policies and procedures
  • Perform various other duties as assigned by Legal Operations and Risk Manager and/or General Counsel
  • Contribute to team/company engagement efforts

JOB KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
  • Superior written and oral communication
  • Ability to use a variety of software packages, including Microsoft Office
  • Ability to perform online legal research
  • Accurate notetaking
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to manage electronic and paper files
  • Flexibility to undertake additional tasks as needed
  • Graduate with an associate or bachelor's degree in any field
  • At least one year plus of legal experience
  • In lieu of education, you can have five or more years of legal work experience under attorney supervision

Apply