Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Associate Attorney – Family Law (Entrepreneurial Track) Kaufman, Nichols & Kaufman, PLLC | Ogden, Utah

Build your own family law practice—without building it alone. At Kaufman, Nichols & Kaufman, PLLC, we offer a rare opportunity for attorneys to grow a practice with real autonomy, backed by mentorship, firm resources, and a steady stream of work with unlimited earning potential.

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Who We Are

Established in 1979, Kaufman, Nichols & Kaufman, PLLC is a respected, full-service law firm serving clients throughout Northern Utah. Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to delivering thoughtful counsel and strong advocacy—recognizing that our clients’ businesses, families, and livelihoods depend on the outcomes we help them achieve.

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Who We Are Looking For

As demand for our family law services continues to grow, we are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our team. This role is designed for an attorney who wants more than a traditional associate position—someone interested in building their own law practice, developing professionally, and working with meaningful autonomy while supported by experienced mentors and an established firm platform.

We view this position as “supported self-employment”: you will have the freedom to manage and grow your practice without micromanagement, while benefiting from mentorship, firm resources, and a steady flow of cases.

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What Makes This Opportunity Different

· No billable hour requirements

· Significant autonomy over your caseload and client relationships

· Mentorship from experienced attorneys who want to see you succeed

· Opportunity to build your own book of business

· Collaborative, supportive, and low-ego work environment

· Real earning potential tied directly to your effort and results

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Responsibilities

· Manage a caseload primarily consisting of family law matters, with opportunities to handle cases in other practice areas

· Develop and execute legal strategies aligned with client goals and legal realities

· Maintain consistent, professional, and timely client communication

· Appear regularly in court, including motion hearings, evidentiary hearings, and trials

· Conduct legal research and analyze complex family law issues

· Draft high-quality pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents

· Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and staff to deliver strong client outcomes

· Conduct client consultations and contribute to ongoing firm growth

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Qualifications

· Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

· Active Utah Bar license in good standing (or actively pursuing admission)

· 1+ year of litigation experience (family law experience preferred but not required)

· Strong legal writing, analytical, and strategic thinking skills

· Confident and professional courtroom presence

· Ability to manage emotionally charged, high-conflict situations with sound judgment

· High emotional intelligence and strong client relationship skills

· Ability to independently manage a caseload while maintaining quality and professionalism

· Organized, dependable, and motivated to grow professionally

· Ties to Northern Utah preferred

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Compensation

This is a commission-based position designed for attorneys who want control over their income and practice.

Our attorneys are compensated based on a percentage of fees billed and collected. With consistent workflow and firm support:

· Attorneys without an existing book of business commonly earn $100,000+ in their first year

· Attorneys with experience or an existing client base often earn $200,000+ annually

With this compensation model, our associate attorneys have no risk. We take care of all typical law firm overhead, including office staff, malpractice insurance, practice management and billing software, etc., giving you all the tools you need so you can

focus on your clients and not the administrative parts of a law practice that cause all attorneys headaches.

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Who Will Thrive Here

This role is ideal for an attorney who:

· Has an entrepreneurial mindset and wants to build something of their own

· Values autonomy but still wants mentorship and collaboration

· Is genuinely interested in family law and client-centered advocacy

· Wants a sustainable, long-term legal career without rigid billing structures

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