Associate Attorney Jobs in Virginia
Associate Attorney jobs in Virginia draw consistent demand across government contracting, corporate law, litigation, and regulatory compliance, with openings at every level from recent bar admittee to senior associate. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, where firms and legal departments at organizations like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and McGuireWoods maintain ongoing associate attorney needs. The most sought-after specialties in the Virginia market are government contracts law, employment litigation, and corporate transactional work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Join MGC's Litigation Team in Richmond, VA!
MGC is an industry leading civil litigation firm celebrating 31 years of excellence spanning 22 offices across 12 states.
We are seeking attorneys to join our Litigation team in Richmond. Remote/hybrid options will be considered after training/integration with the team.
Ideal candidates will have 1-5 years of practice experience. Our associates are given hands on experience in all phases of civil litigation from case inception to trial, as well as direct client contact. We offer competitive compensation with monthly bonus opportunities. Must be licensed to practice law in Virginia or have pending Virginia bar exam results.
What We're Looking For:
- Willingness to learn and work autonomously and within a team structure
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Initiative and the ability to multitask
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment
- Mindset geared toward embracing AI to innovate and elevate everyday legal work
Position Overview:
- Membership track with defined benchmarks
- Formal mentorship structure
- Hybrid work options
Additional Benefits:
- Paid parental leave
- Leadership training programs
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Casual dress code
- Mental health support resources
- Employee resource groups dedicated to promoting Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Assess new files to establish action plans, budgets, and recommendations.
- Identify pleading requirements and delegate tasks to paralegals as needed.
- Prepare discovery responses and manage document production.
- Attend depositions, hearings, and other discovery events, providing thorough reports
- Negotiate settlements, secure authority, and prepare for trial as necessary
- Maintain regular communication with paralegals and legal assistants
The annualized salary range for this position is $90,000-$150,000. Actual pay will be determined based on total and relevant experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. This position also offers bonuses and a full benefits package. Our benefits package includes, but is not limited to, health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, flexible spending, and more.
If you're ready to take the next step in your career with a firm that values innovation and a supportive workplace culture, we encourage you to apply to McAngus Goudelock & Courie!
RECRUITER NOTICE:
MGC does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or staffing agencies. MGC will not pay placement fees for candidates submitted without a signed fee and prior approval from the MGC Recruiting Team.
Experience
Preferred- Less than 5 year(s): Prior insurance defense encouraged
Education
Required- Juris Doctorate or better
Licenses & Certifications
Required- Bar
Motivations
Preferred- Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Join MGC's Litigation Team in Richmond, VA!
MGC is an industry leading civil litigation firm celebrating 31 years of excellence spanning 22 offices across 12 states.
We are seeking attorneys to join our Litigation team in Richmond. Remote/hybrid options will be considered after training/integration with the team.
Ideal candidates will have 1-5 years of practice experience. Our associates are given hands on experience in all phases of civil litigation from case inception to trial, as well as direct client contact. We offer competitive compensation with monthly bonus opportunities. Must be licensed to practice law in Virginia or have pending Virginia bar exam results.
What We're Looking For:
- Willingness to learn and work autonomously and within a team structure
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Initiative and the ability to multitask
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment
- Mindset geared toward embracing AI to innovate and elevate everyday legal work
Position Overview:
- Membership track with defined benchmarks
- Formal mentorship structure
- Hybrid work options
Additional Benefits:
- Paid parental leave
- Leadership training programs
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Casual dress code
- Mental health support resources
- Employee resource groups dedicated to promoting Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Assess new files to establish action plans, budgets, and recommendations.
- Identify pleading requirements and delegate tasks to paralegals as needed.
- Prepare discovery responses and manage document production.
- Attend depositions, hearings, and other discovery events, providing thorough reports
- Negotiate settlements, secure authority, and prepare for trial as necessary
- Maintain regular communication with paralegals and legal assistants
The annualized salary range for this position is $90,000-$150,000. Actual pay will be determined based on total and relevant experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. This position also offers bonuses and a full benefits package. Our benefits package includes, but is not limited to, health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, flexible spending, and more.
If you're ready to take the next step in your career with a firm that values innovation and a supportive workplace culture, we encourage you to apply to McAngus Goudelock & Courie!
RECRUITER NOTICE:
MGC does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or staffing agencies. MGC will not pay placement fees for candidates submitted without a signed fee and prior approval from the MGC Recruiting Team.
Experience
Preferred- Less than 5 year(s): Prior insurance defense encouraged
Education
Required- Juris Doctorate or better
Licenses & Certifications
Required- Bar
Motivations
Preferred- Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 35 Associate Attorney Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Attorney JobsAssociate Attorney Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Associate Attorney Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in associate attorney jobs across Virginia.
- Active Virginia State Bar membership or a license transferable under Virginia's bar admission rules
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Zero to four years of relevant legal practice or clerkship experience
- Strong legal research and writing skills demonstrated through writing samples or clerkship work
- Experience with contract review, litigation support, or regulatory filings in a relevant practice area
- Ability to manage multiple client matters under supervision of senior attorneys
Associate Attorney Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a associate attorney in Virginia?
You become an associate attorney in Virginia by earning a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school and passing the Virginia Bar Examination, administered by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. After passing, you apply for admission to the Virginia State Bar, which licenses and regulates attorneys in the commonwealth. Graduates from states with bar reciprocity agreements may qualify for admission on motion without retaking the exam.
How much do associate attorneys make in Virginia?
Associate attorneys in Virginia earn a median of about $167,210 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $79,330 for the lowest 10% to over $320,220 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire associate attorneys in Virginia?
Employers hiring associate attorneys in Virginia right now include Harness IP, Hancock Daniel, and Kiernan Trebach, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors in Northern Virginia means a significant share of associate attorney openings involve government contracts, national security, or administrative law practices.
Which Virginia cities have the most associate attorney jobs?
Richmond, Alexandria, and Glen Allen have the most associate attorney openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia and the D.C. suburbs lead because of the dense cluster of federal agencies, defense contractors, and large law firm offices, while Richmond draws hiring through the state government, financial institutions, and firms with deep Virginia regulatory and litigation practices.
Are there remote associate attorney jobs in Virginia?
Yes, though they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since associate attorney work often involves court appearances, client meetings, and in-office collaboration. About 37% of associate attorney openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the most remote-compatible work appearing in transactional, compliance, and contract review roles rather than active litigation positions.
How can I get hired as a associate attorney in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a judicial clerkship with a Virginia state or federal court, which gives new graduates courtroom exposure and a credential that Virginia firms actively seek in associate candidates. Large firms in Richmond and Northern Virginia, including several AmLaw-ranked offices, run formal associate programs for recent bar admittees. Candidates who cannot secure a clerkship often transition from paralegal or law clerk roles at Virginia government agencies or in-house legal departments, with a strong writing sample and Virginia Bar membership providing the clearest competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to associate attorney jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to associate attorney jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings from employers hiring now. Search the listings, find roles that match your practice area and experience level, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 35 Associate Attorney Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Attorney Jobs