1

Recent Law Graduate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Be Seen First

This position is ideal for a recent law school graduate or an attorney with 0-3 years of experience who is eager to learn, develop strong litigation skills, and grow within a fast-paced practice.

Civil Rights Legal Fellow

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

About the RoleThe Greater Los Angeles area office of CAIR (CAIR-LA) is looking for a recent law graduate or practicing attorney with up to three years of experience to work on priority issues ...

Current law student or recent law school graduate * Understanding of and a commitment to PSLS mission * Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of low-income/vulnerable clients * Diverse ...

Law Clerk

Moline, IL · On-site

$16.25/hr

Current law student or recent law school graduate * Understanding of and a commitment to PSLS mission * Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of low-income/vulnerable clients * Diverse ...

Associate Attorney

Dallas, TX · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

This is an excellent opportunity for a newly licensed attorney or a recent law school graduate awaiting bar results who wants mentorship and significant responsibility from day one. This full-time ...

Currently enrolled in a JD or LLB program (2L/3L preferred) or a recent law graduate * Must be graduating between August 2026 and May 2029. * Must be able to work full-time (40 hours per week)

Extra Help Post Bar Law Clerk

Merced, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $35/hr

Current enrollment in law school, or a recent law school graduate who is eligible for the California State Bar Exam or has taken the California State Bar Exam and is awaiting Bar results. Upon ...

Description Are you a recent law school graduate looking to work with experienced attorneys and paralegals who will give you opportunities to further your legal career? If so, we are looking for you!

Showing results 21-40

Recent Law Graduate information

See salary details

$21K

$55.4K

$90K

How much do recent law graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for recent law graduate in the United States is $55,419.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recent law graduate?

Recent law graduates are individuals who have recently completed their Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school. They may be in the process of preparing for or have just taken the bar exam and are often seeking entry-level legal positions such as law clerks, associates at law firms, or governmental legal roles. These graduates typically possess foundational knowledge of the law but may lack extensive practical experience. Many recent law graduates pursue internships, clerkships, or temporary legal positions to gain relevant experience before securing permanent roles.

What tasks and responsibilities can a recent law graduate expect during their first year at a law firm?

As a recent law graduate starting at a law firm, you can expect to engage in a range of foundational tasks such as conducting legal research, drafting memos and briefs, assisting with document review during discovery, and helping to prepare for hearings or depositions. Collaboration with senior attorneys is common, and you'll likely attend client meetings or court proceedings in a support role. The first year is an important period for developing practical skills, learning firm-specific procedures, and building relationships within your team, all of which lay the groundwork for future advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recent law graduate, and why are they important?

As a Recent Law Graduate, strong legal research, critical thinking, and writing skills are crucial, supported by a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and completion of the bar exam. Familiarity with legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis and document management systems is typically expected. Exceptional communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively make candidates stand out in early legal roles. These skills and qualifications are vital for accurately analyzing legal issues, drafting documents, and supporting clients or senior attorneys effectively.

What is the difference between Recent Law Graduate vs Law Clerk?

AspectRecent Law GraduateLaw Clerk
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), bar exam eligibilityJD or law degree, often with bar admission
Work EnvironmentLegal firms, government agencies, corporate legal departmentsCourts, law firms, government offices
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level legal roles, internships, clerkship preparationAssisting judges or attorneys, legal research, drafting
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

In summary, a Recent Law Graduate is an individual who has recently completed their law degree and is preparing to enter the legal profession, often seeking entry-level positions or internships. A Law Clerk, on the other hand, is typically a recent graduate or law student working closely with judges or attorneys to assist with legal research and drafting. While both roles require a law degree, Law Clerks usually have more specific responsibilities within judicial or legal settings.

More about Recent Law Graduate jobs

What cities are hiring for Recent Law Graduate jobs?

Cities with the most Recent Law Graduate job openings:

What states have the most Recent Law Graduate jobs?

States with the most job openings for Recent Law Graduate jobs include:

Infographic showing various Recent Law Graduate job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,419 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

$22.98 - $27.93/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


County Of San Luis Obispo rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

385th of 848 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Description R E L I E F P O S I T I O N Schedule: Full-Time for no more than 6 months. Requires graduation from an accredited law school within the last twelve (12) months AND awaiting California State Bar Examination results. The County of Tuolumne offers a Graduate Law Clerk Program to recent law school graduates who are awaiting California Bar Examination results.

Graduate Law Clerks can be assigned to the District Attorney or Public Defender, on an as needed basis. The Graduate Law Clerk Program offers full-time paid positions where incumbents will be expected to work forty (40) hours a week and will be employed while awaiting Bar results, for a period of no longer than 6 months. Once successful results have been received from the California Bar Association and satisfactory work performance has been observed, you may be offered regular employment as a licensed attorney with the County of Tuolumne.

Failure to pass the California Bar Examination within the six (6) month timeframe will result in termination of employment. GRADUATE LAW CLERK DEFINITION Under direction or general supervision, provides legal research assistance to attorneys and performs related work as required. This position provides incumbents who have graduated from law school and who are candidates for admission to the State Bar of California, work experience with the practical application of law, including criminal, municipal, civil, and business law.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives administrative and technical direction and supervision from a California Bar licensed department Attorney. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS The Graduate Law Clerk is a single-position classification that is distinguished from the Deputy District Attorney and Deputy Public Defender classes in that former is filled on a limited basis by incumbents who are awaiting test results. Examples of Duties (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Researches, studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, pleadings, briefs and other legal documents. Organizes extensive legal discovery, reports, documents and potential exhibits. Conducts pretrial review of case files for witness subpoenas and other necessary evidence for trial.

Conducts preliminary interviews of potential complainants in criminal cases and reports on findings of facts to determine if cause of sufficient evidence is present to undertake prosecution. Reads, understands and analyzes legal documents such as pleadings, affidavits, court orders, transcripts statutory codes and appellate decisions. Prepares a variety of legal documents including drafts and memoranda summarizing the results of court decisions, administrative board decisions, State statutes, ordinances and opinions.

Provides information to judges, attorneys, and the public concerning the work of the department. Communicates with witnesses, experts, clients and other interested parties. Schedules witnesses and prepares witnesses and clients in courtroom procedures and appropriate protocol.

Interviews clients to obtain factual, biographical and financial information. Performs other related work as required. Minimum Qualifications Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices Methods and techniques of legal research Telephone, office, and online etiquette County customer service objectives and strategies.

Ability to: Present statements of facts, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form Perform legal research Prepare drafts of resolutions and other legal documents Communicate effectively orally and in writing Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited law school within the last twelve (12) months AND awaiting California State Bar Examination results. Eligible for Law Student Certification pursuant to the State Bar of California's Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program. PTLS program Information: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Special-Admissions/Practical-Training-of-Law-Students Candidates may apply during their year of anticipated graduation

Offers of employment conveyed prior to the candidate's graduation shall be conditioned upon the candidate's (1) graduation from an accredited law school, (2) completion of the California bar exam, and (3) eligibility for Law Student Certification pursuant to the State Bar of California's Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program. Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California driver's license. Eligibility for Certification as a Law Clerk.


What County Of San Luis Obispo employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom