Criminal Defense Associate Attorney (Virginia Licensed, New Bar Admittees Welcome)

Job Description

Job Description

Criminal Defense Associate Attorney (Virginia Licensed, New Bar Admittees Welcome) $85,000 to $95,000 Base + Quarterly Bonuses, Fairfax/Chantilly, Hybrid Possible

Getting sworn in on October 30? You could be standing in a Fairfax courtroom with your own client before Thanksgiving.

Right Path Law Group is a growing criminal defense and personal injury firm serving Northern Virginia’s immigrant and working-class communities. We are hiring a criminal defense associate who wants to try cases, not watch them. If you chose law school because of the courtroom, this is the job you were picturing.

What we offer

• $85,000 to $95,000 base salary, with a defined step-up at your six-month review

• Quarterly performance bonuses tied to your results, plus referral bonuses on cases you bring in

• 100% employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance (for employee only)

• 401(k) with a 4% employer match after one year

• Three weeks PTO plus firm holidays, Virginia State Bar dues and CLE paid, mileage reimbursed

• Hybrid flexibility once you are up and running: the courthouse is the office, not the desk

• A senior criminal defense attorney who will second-chair you on your first contested hearings and sit across from you to prep every felony

Your first year, in plain terms

• Weeks 1 to 2: shadow court, meet your paralegal and client coordinator, learn our case system

• By day 30: first-chair your own General District Court docket, traffic, DUI and misdemeanor matters, with a mentor on call

• By day 60: carrying a full caseload across General District, Circuit and J&DR courts in Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Arlington and Alexandria, with preliminary hearings and motions under your belt

• By year end: felony work with senior counsel beside you, and a bonus check you earned

What you will do

• Represent clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies from arraignment through disposition

• Investigate, draft and argue motions, negotiate with prosecutors, and try cases

• Work with a bilingual intake, paralegal and client-coordinator team so your time goes to lawyering, not paperwork

What you bring

• Active Virginia law license, or a July 2026 bar passer being sworn in on October 30 (apply now; we will time your start to your admission)

• Evidence that litigation is the point for you: trial advocacy or moot court, a criminal or clinical program, a public defender or Commonwealth’s Attorney internship, or time in a courtroom in any role

• Composure under pressure, a client-first mindset, and the work ethic to earn a docket fast

• Spanish is a real plus and not a requirement

Interviews are happening now and the role starts in November. Send your resume and a short note about the case, argument or moment that made you want to do this work. Take the right path and apply today.

$85,000 - $95,000 yearly

• Lead and manage a diverse caseload, ensuring each client receives personalized and effective legal representation.
• Develop and implement strategic defense plans tailored to the unique circumstances of each case.
• Represent clients in court, demonstrating strong advocacy skills and a commitment to achieving favorable outcomes.
• Collaborate with a team of legal professionals to share insights and refine case strategies.
• Conduct thorough legal research to support case preparation and stay informed on relevant legal precedents.
• Draft, review, and file legal documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with court requirements.
• Communicate regularly with clients, providing updates and guidance to build trust and confidence in our services.

• Active Virginia law license, or a July 2026 bar passer being sworn in on October 30 (apply now; we will time your start to your admission)

Right Path Law Group, PLLC, fights for our community across DC, MD, and VA, 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)