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Legal Associate Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

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CONTRACT Legal Recruiting Coordinator

Washington, DC · On-site

$50/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 ...

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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 ...

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

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 ...

The Murphy Law Firm

Legal Assistant

Upper Marlboro, MD · On-site

$41K/yr

Associate's degree, or some college is preferred; high school diploma or equivalent is necessary * Some knowledge of legal software, case management, and docketing programs * Must be able to ...

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 ...

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All JobsLegal Associate JobsLegal Associate Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Legal Associate information

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$8

$29

$62

How much do legal associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal associate in Silver Spring, MD is $29.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.90 and $34.81 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 Silver Spring, MD? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Associate jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Legal Associate jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Associate jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Associate jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Legal Associate jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Legal Associate job openings:
Legal Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Associate job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,365 per year, or $30 per hour.
Associate Legal Counsel

Associate Legal Counsel

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Washington, DC • On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Description
Job Description
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the black college community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and several Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).
The Associate Legal Counsel will be responsible for managing the full contract lifecycle for the organization. This includes drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and finalizing a wide range of agreements to ensure legal accuracy, risk mitigation, and timely execution. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in contract law and demonstrate strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a high volume of contracts in a fast-paced environment. This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC with the option to work remotely.
The Associate Counsel will provide comprehensive legal oversight and support for the organization's contracting, compliance, and risk functions. The Associate Legal Counsel will be responsible for reviewing, editing, negotiating, and facilitating the execution of various contracts. In addition to contract management, the role will support enterprise-wide compliance efforts and contribute to legal strategy across departments. Additional responsibilities will be assigned based on organizational priorities and the candidate's subject-matter expertise, with opportunities to engage in litigation, labor and employment matters, governance, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
Reporting To
Interim Vice President of Government Relations and Legal Affairs
Responsibilities:
  • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts including MOUs, service agreements, grant agreements, NDAs, vendor contracts, and other legal instruments.
  • Manage contract workflows from initiation through execution and archiving.
  • Advise on legal terms and identify and mitigate risks associated with contract provisions.
  • Ensure timely turnaround and consistency of legal language across contract types.
  • Maintain organized records and support contract tracking and reporting functions.
  • Stay current on developments in contract law relevant to the organization's work.
  • Perform other legal duties related to contract management as assigned by the Chief Legal and Business Officer.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
  • Minimum of 2-5 years of experience with contract drafting, negotiation, and management.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle complex agreements with minimal oversight.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • High attention to detail, with a strong commitment to accuracy and risk mitigation.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple contracts simultaneously under tight deadlines.

Special Demands
  • Travel required.

Additional Information
  • Employee Type: Full-time (Exempt)
  • Department: Legal
  • Manages Others: No
  • Location: Washington, DC
  • Pay: $110,000-$125,000
  • Start Date: TBD
  • Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, FSA, 403(b), TBD Bonus Potential

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