Associate Attorney
Associate Attorney — Entry Level
Location: Provo, UT – On-site
Type: Full-time / Part-time
Compensation: $30–40/hour, depending on experience and credentials
About the role
We are hiring a recently admitted attorney to join our [litigation] practice. This position is designed for a lawyer at the beginning of their career, and we have structured it accordingly: meaningful work early, close supervision while you build competence, and a deliberate progression toward independent responsibility.
You will be practicing law, not observing it. Within your first year we expect you to be drafting substantive motions, taking and defending depositions, appearing at hearings, and communicating directly with clients. That timeline requires a firm willing to invest supervision hours in you, and we are.
We are equally direct about what this is not. This is not a large-firm position with a documented training program and a class of fellow first-years. You will learn primarily by handling matters under the guidance of experienced attorneys who will read your work closely and tell you plainly what needs to improve.
Responsibilities
Research and writing
- Research legal issues and prepare memoranda that support case strategy and client advice
- Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and supporting declarations
- Draft and respond to written discovery; assist in developing discovery strategy
- Prepare correspondence to clients, opposing counsel, and third parties
Case handling
- Manage assigned matters under the supervision of a supervising attorney, with responsibility increasing as you demonstrate readiness
- Develop and maintain familiarity with the factual record in your cases
- Identify issues and deadlines proactively rather than waiting to be assigned tasks
Court and deposition work
- Appear at scheduling conferences, motion hearings, and status conferences
- Take and defend depositions as experience permits
- Assist senior attorneys in preparation for mediation, arbitration, and trial, with an expectation of expanding participation over time
Client contact
- Communicate directly with clients regarding case status, next steps, and document requests
- Participate in client meetings and, as you develop, lead them
Professional obligations
- Maintain accurate and contemporaneous time records
- Comply fully with the Rules of Professional Conduct and applicable court rules
- Complete continuing legal education requirements
Qualifications
Required
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
- Admission to the Utah Bar. Candidates awaiting bar results are encouraged to apply.
- Demonstrated legal research and writing ability
- Proficiency with Westlaw, Lexis, or a comparable research platform
- Sound professional judgment and a clear understanding of the ethical obligations of practice
Preferred
- Judicial clerkship, litigation clinic, legal aid, or prosecutorial/public defender experience
- Summer associate or law clerk experience in a firm setting
- Moot court, mock trial, or law review participation
Attributes that matter as much as credentials
- Receptiveness to correction. Your early drafts will be marked up substantially. The attorneys who develop fastest are the ones who treat that as instruction rather than criticism.
- Ownership. When a matter is assigned to you, its deadlines and its details become your responsibility.
- Candor. You tell a supervising attorney when you do not know something, when you are behind, or when you think an approach is wrong. Concealing any of these is far more costly here than admitting them.
- Preparation. You do not walk into a hearing, a call, or a deposition without knowing the record.
- Resilience. Litigation involves adverse rulings, difficult opposing counsel, and unhappy clients. You need to absorb that and keep working.
What we offer
- Early substantive responsibility. Real motions, real depositions, real client relationships — not two years of document review.
- Direct mentorship. You will work closely with experienced attorneys who review your work in detail and explain their reasoning.
The stated range reflects a genuine spread. Placement within it depends on bar admission status, prior clerkship or clinical experience, and demonstrated writing ability. Candidates admitted and practice-ready should expect the upper portion of the range.
This role may not be a good fit if
- You are seeking a large-firm environment with formal training infrastructure and a defined associate class
- You want to avoid court appearances or client contact
- You prefer to specialize narrowly from the outset rather than handle varied matters
- You are uncomfortable receiving detailed, direct critique of your written work
These are not deficiencies, but they are poorly matched to this position, and identifying that early serves both parties.
How to apply
Please submit:
- A résumé and law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this stage)
- A cover letter addressing why you are interested in [practice area] specifically, and what you are looking for in the first years of your career