Criminal Defense Attorney - Virginia Licensed

Job Description

Job Description

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATE · 3 to 7 Years Experience

The Constitution does not enforce itself. We need an attorney who shows up for clients when the system would rather they disappear, who knows the difference between a plea and a fight, and who can be trusted with someone's freedom.

Right Path Law Group is a Northern Virginia criminal defense and personal injury firm headquartered in Chantilly and Manassas. We serve a predominantly Spanish-speaking client base across the DMV, and we are looking for our next Criminal Defense Associate. This is a real trial role with a real caseload and a real growth path. It is not a temporary job for someone passing through.

This role reports to our Senior Criminal Defense Attorney and works directly with firm leadership on case strategy, client outcomes, and the future of the practice.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: $135,000 to $155,000+

• Base Salary: $115,000 to $125,000+, depending on experience and trial record
• Quarterly Performance Bonus: 10% of annual base salary (approximately $11,500 to $12,500), paid quarterly upon meeting KPI thresholds tied to cases closed and fees collected
• Referral Bonus: 15% of fees on criminal cases you personally originate AND resolve
• Realistic Year 1 Total Compensation: $135,000 to $155,000+

Base Salary Tiers:

-$115,000 base. Minimum qualifications:

• Active Virginia bar license in good standing
• 3+ years of criminal defense or prosecution experience
• Demonstrated ability to handle felony matters and General District Court trial work

-$125,000+ base. All of the above, plus:

• 5+ years of criminal litigation experience
• First-chair trial experience in Circuit Court (jury or bench)

BENEFITS

• 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance (employee coverage)
• 401(k) with 4% employer match after one year of continuous employment
• 3 weeks paid time off plus firm holidays
• Mileage reimbursement at IRS rate for court appearances and detention center visits
• CLE expense reimbursement
• A growing firm with a defined path to a Senior Criminal Defense Attorney

YOUR SUPPORT STRUCTURE

You will not be flying solo. The firm provides:

• Dedicated paralegal support for criminal matters
• Fully bilingual administrative team for client intake and communication
• Case management system built for criminal practice
• Spanish-speaking client coordinators who handle the front-end communication
• Direct mentorship from our Senior Criminal Defense Attorney on serious felony matters

You focus on the courtroom. The team handles the rest.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Manage an active criminal defense caseload across General District, Circuit Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Northern Virginia jurisdictions
• Represent clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies from arraignment through resolution
• Develop case strategy, draft and argue motions, negotiate dispositions, and try cases when needed
• Appear at status hearings, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, motions, and trials across Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria, and surrounding jurisdictions
• Communicate proactively with clients in English and Spanish, where applicable
• Collaborate with the criminal defense team on case strategy and workload management
• Document case activity in the firm's case management system and submit quarterly performance data

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Active Virginia bar license in good standing
• Minimum 3 years of criminal defense or prosecution experience
• Trial experience in the General District Court (felony and misdemeanor)
• Ability to manage a deadline-driven caseload independently
• Public defenders and former prosecutors are strongly encouraged to apply

Strongly preferred (qualifies for $125,000 base):

• 5+ years of criminal litigation experience
• First-chair trial experience in Circuit Court
• Bilingual Spanish/English fluency
• Familiarity with Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun, Arlington, and Alexandria courts
• Experience with serious felony matters (violent offenses, drug charges, sex offenses)

THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE ROLE FOR YOU IF...

• You see every plea bargain as a win
• You have not been in trial in the last 12 months
• You think serving a Spanish-speaking client base is a barrier rather than an opportunity
• Your first interview question is about remote work flexibility or PTO
• You define "trial experience" as having watched one
• You misrepresent your trial record. We verify everything.

ABOUT US

Right Path Law Group fights for our community across the DMV. Our criminal defense practice serves clients facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. We are building a team that takes that responsibility seriously.

Our Mission: Transform 25,000 lives.

Our Values: Resilience. Integrity. Service. Excellence. (R.I.S.E.)

$115,000 - $125,000+ yearly

• Manage criminal defense caseload across General District Court, Circuit Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Northern Virginia jurisdictions
• Represent clients charged with felonies and misdemeanors from arraignment through trial or resolution
• Develop case strategy, draft and argue motions, negotiate dispositions, and try cases to verdict when necessary
• Appear at status hearings, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, motions hearings, and trials across our Northern Virginia court footprint
• Communicate proactively with clients throughout the life of their case, in English and Spanish where applicable
• Collaborate with the criminal defense team on case strategy, workload distribution, and client outcomes
• Document case activity accurately in the firm's case management system and submit quarterly case data for performance review

Required:

• Active Virginia bar license in good standing
• Minimum 3 years of criminal defense or prosecution experience
• Trial experience in the General District Court (felony and misdemeanor)
• Ability to manage a deadline-driven caseload independently
• Public defenders and former prosecutors are strongly encouraged to apply

Strongly preferred (qualifies for $125,000+ base):

• 5+ years of criminal litigation experience
• First-chair trial experience in Circuit Court
• Bilingual Spanish/English fluency
• Familiarity with Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun, Arlington, and Alexandria courts
• Experience with serious felony matters (violent offenses, drug charges, sex offenses)

Right Path Law Group, PLLC, fights for our community across the DMV, and we have built the infrastructure to do it right. A dedicated team behind every attorney. A growing caseload and a firm that rewards performance.

Our Mission: Transform 25,000 lives.

Our Values: Resilience. Integrity. Service. Excellence. (R.I.S.E)