Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney - Criminal & Traffic Defense Amos Law Firm 217 N. Queen Street Kinston, North Carolina 28501 Position: Associate Attorney - Criminal & Traffic Defense Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Traffic Defense, and Court-Appointed Representation Location: Kinston, North Carolina Counties Served: Lenoir, Greene, Wayne, and surrounding Eastern North Carolina counties Employment Type: Full-Time About Amos Law Firm Amos Law Firm is a growing North Carolina law firm committed to providing effective, professional, and client-centered legal representation. Our practice includes criminal defense, traffic matters, and other areas of litigation. We are seeking an attorney who wants to develop strong courtroom skills and build a career in criminal defense. This position provides an opportunity for substantial hand-on experience, including regular court appearances, direct client representation, negotiations with prosecutors, and progressively more complex criminal cases. Position Overview The Associate Attorney will primarily handle criminal and traffic matters in Lenoir, Greene, and Wayne Counties. The attorney will be expected to pursue eligibility for and participation on applicable court-appointed counsel lists in those counties. The firm intends for the attorney to develop his or her caseload through a combination of appointed and privately retained matters. The attorney will initially focus on traffic offenses, misdemeanors, and lower-level felony cases. As the attorney gains experience and demonstrates proficiency, the attorney will progressively assume responsibility for more serious and complex felony matters. The firm's objective is not simply to assign cases, but to help the attorney develop into a skilled criminal-defense and trial attorney. Primary Responsibilities Representing clients in North Carolina District and Superior Courts. Handling traffic citations and criminal traffic offenses. Representing clients charged with misdemeanors. Representing clients charged with lower-level felonies, with progression into more serious felony cases as experience develops. Applying for and maintaining eligibility for court-appointed counsel lists in Lenoir, Greene, and Wayne Counties. Conducting client interviews and consultations. Reviewing discovery, police reports, body-camera footage, witness statements, laboratory reports, and other evidence. Identifying factual, constitutional, evidentiary, and procedural issues. Conducting appropriate legal research. Developing case strategies and defenses. Negotiating with assistant district attorneys and other prosecutors. Evaluating and communicating plea offers to clients. Preparing and filing motions and other court documents. Preparing for and conducting District Court trials. Preparing for Superior Court proceedings as experience develops. Participating in jury-trial preparation and, with appropriate experience and supervision, conducting jury trials. Preparing witnesses for hearings and trials. Advocating for clients during sentencing hearings. Maintaining regular communication with clients regarding the status of their cases. Maintaining accurate case notes, deadlines, court dates, and case-management records. Appearing promptly and professionally for all scheduled court proceedings. Working collaboratively with attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff within the firm. Attorney Development and Training Amos Law Firm welcomes applications from newly licensed attorneys and recent law school graduates. For a newer attorney, the position will include training and mentorship in areas such as: North Carolina criminal procedure; North Carolina evidence; District Court practice; Superior Court practice; Client interviewing and counseling; Discovery review; Case evaluation and strategy; Plea negotiations; Motions practice; Direct and cross-examination; Making and responding to objections; Sentencing advocacy; Trial preparation; Jury selection and voir dire; Misdemeanor trials; Felony trials; and Professional courtroom practice. Case assignments will increase in complexity as the attorney develops the skills necessary to independently handle more serious matters. A typical progression may include: Stage 1 - Traffic and Misdemeanor Practice Traffic offenses, misdemeanor criminal matters, routine court appearances, negotiations, and District Court proceedings. Stage 2 - Lower-Level Felony Practice Lower-level felony cases, more extensive discovery, motions practice, preliminary matters, Superior Court appearances, and sentencing advocacy. Stage 3 - Serious Felony and Trial Practice More complex felony cases, contested motions, jury-trial preparation, jury selection, witness examination, and progressively greater responsibility in felony jury trials. The pace of advancement will depend upon the attorney's experience, demonstrated ability, judgment, preparation, and performance. Minimum Qualifications Hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Be licensed to practice law in North Carolina or be eligible for admission to the North Carolina State Bar within a reasonable period following hire. Be eligible to appear in North Carolina state courts. Possess strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrate professionalism and sound judgment. Be organized and capable of managing multiple cases and court deadlines. Be comfortable communicating directly with clients, prosecutors, court personnel, law-enforcement officers, witnesses, and opposing counsel. Have the ability and willingness to regularly appear in courts throughout Lenoir, Greene, and Wayne Counties. Have reliable transportation for court appearances and other case-related obligations. Be willing to accept appropriate court-appointed cases and meet applicable appointment requirements. Preferred Qualifications Prior criminal-defense experience is helpful but not required. Preference may be given to applicants with: Law school clinical experience; Trial advocacy, moot court, or mock trial experience; Internships or externships with a public defender, district attorney, judicial office, or criminal-defense firm; Prior courtroom experience; Experience handling traffic or criminal cases; Strong legal research and writing skills; or A demonstrated interest in criminal-defense and trial practice. Characteristics of a Successful Candidate Interested in becoming skilled courtroom advocates; Comfortable accepting responsibility early in their careers; Willing to learn from feedback and mentorship; Prepared and dependable; Able to remain professional in stressful situations; Confident communicating with clients from diverse backgrounds; Detail-oriented; Self-motivated; Ethical and client-focused; and Interested in developing a long-term criminal-defense practice. Why Join Amos Law Firm? This position is particularly suited for an attorney who wants real courtroom experience rather than spending the first several years of practice primarily performing research or document review. The attorney will have the opportunity to: Handle his or her own cases; Appear regularly in court; Develop relationships with local attorneys, prosecutors, judges, and court personnel; Receive practical training and mentorship; Develop negotiation and litigation skills; Gain significant criminal-defense experience; Build a record of trial and courtroom experience; Progress from traffic and misdemeanor matters to increasingly serious felony cases; and Develop the skills necessary to become an independent and effective criminal trial attorney. Compensation and Benefits Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. We will discuss specific compensation, bonus opportunities, benefits, professional-development opportunities, and other terms of employment during the interview process. Amos Law Firm 217 N. Queen Street Kinston, NC 28501 Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Active license to practice law in North Carolina, or eligibility for admission to the North Carolina State Bar within a reasonable period after hire. Ability to appear regularly in District and Superior Courts in Lenoir, Greene, and Wayne Counties. Willingness and eligibility to join applicable court-appointed counsel lists. Strong interest in criminal defense, traffic law, and courtroom advocacy. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate professionally with clients, judges, prosecutors, law-enforcement officers, witnesses, court personnel, and firm staff. Ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, court dates, and client responsibilities. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Sound professional judgment and commitment to ethical practice. Ability to review discovery, identify legal and factual issues, and develop case strategy. Willingness to conduct legal research and prepare motions, pleadings, and other court filings. Ability to negotiate plea agreements and advocate effectively for clients. Willingness to prepare for and conduct hearings, bench trials, and, as experience develops, jury trials. Ability to accept feedback, participate in training, and progressively handle more complex criminal matters. Reliable transportation and willingness to travel regularly to courts throughout Eastern North Carolina. Ability to work independently while also collaborating with attorneys, paralegals, and support staff. Preferred, but not required: prior criminal-defense experience, law-school clinical experience, trial advocacy or mock trial participation, judicial or prosecutor/public-defender internships, or prior courtroom experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr