Trial Attorney Jobs
Trial Attorney jobs are open across government agencies, private law firms, corporate legal departments, and nonprofit organizations, at every level from junior associate to senior litigator, with specializations in criminal defense, civil litigation, and labor and employment law. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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JOB SUMMARY
Located in the nation’s capital, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies, and protects the interests of the District’s residents. The Civil Litigation Division of the OAG is seeking a Trial Attorney for the Personnel and Labor Relations Section (PLRS).
PLRS represents District agencies in administrative personnel matters before the Office of Employee Appeals, Office of Administrative Hearings, Office of Human Rights, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Metropolitan Police Department Adverse Action Panels, and Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department Fire Trial Boards. It also provides appellate representation in these matters before the Office of Employee Appeals Board, the Compensation Review Board/Department of Employment Services, various Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service arbitrators, the Public Employee Relations Board, and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will have an individual caseload and will handle evidentiary hearings, prepare and file pleadings, conduct and respond to written discovery, conduct and defend depositions, file and respond to procedural and dispositive motions, and negotiate settlements. There is substantial contact with client agencies. The position requires litigation experience. Prior litigation experience may include trials or evidentiary hearings, motions and discovery practice, and taking and defending depositions. Experience in employment and labor law is highly desirable.
The successful candidate should be a self-starter, have excellent research and writing skills, and be able to handle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The incumbent must possess the ability to receive and implement feedback.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION
The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment.
HOW TO APPLY
An online application must be completed along with the submission of all required documents.
- Use the button at the top of the page to complete the online application.
- For the resume attachment, attach a single document containing all of the following:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Unofficial transcripts if the applicant has less than five years of experience (official transcripts may be required if selected)
- Proof of active bar membership (or proof of eligibility to waive into D.C.)
- Writing sample (between 5 and 10 pages)
If you experience any issues uploading attachments through the careers portal, please send the required documents to OAGrecruitment@DC.gov. Please be sure to add the JOB ID to the subject line. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-12
Salary Range: The starting salary for this position is negotiable up to $91,650, depending on qualifications and availability of funds.
Number of Vacancies: One (1)
Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
In-person reporting with limited telework and flexible work schedules available upon eligibility.
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered in the collective bargaining unit.
GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.
RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or any other non-merit factor.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Code § 2-1401.01, et seq. (the Act), the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-listed protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Trial Attorney Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Trial Attorney JobsTrial Attorney Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Allstate Insurance19

- United States Department of Justice15

- Morgan & Morgan9

- Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company9

- State of Idaho5

Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Law & Legal Services
- Technology & Software
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in trial attorney jobs.
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active state bar admission
- Prior first-chair trial experience in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings
- Demonstrated ability to draft motions, briefs, and legal memoranda under deadline
- Experience with electronic discovery platforms and case management software
- Strong oral advocacy skills including opening statements and closing arguments
- Familiarity with applicable rules of civil or criminal procedure and evidence
Tips for Your Trial Attorney Job Search
Tailor your resume to the courtroom
List trials by type, not just practice area. Hiring partners want to see whether you've handled jury trials, bench trials, or arbitrations, how many you've taken to verdict, and the subject matter. Generic litigation experience won't stand out the way a specific record does.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists trial attorney openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your experience level and practice area and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight bar admissions prominently
Place your bar admissions at the top of your resume, not buried in an education section. If you're admitted in multiple states, list all of them. Employers in federal practice also want to see district court admissions called out separately.
Target openings by case volume and docket type
A high-volume public defender role and a boutique complex commercial litigation position require completely different preparation. Read job descriptions for clues about docket size and case mix so your application materials speak directly to what the employer actually needs.
Prepare a voir dire and cross-examination sample
Many trial attorney interviews include a practical component. Having a voir dire outline or a sample cross-examination ready shows you can think on your feet. Adapt the exercise to the employer's practice area before the interview, not during it.
Negotiate start date around bar exam or admission timing
If you're waiting on admission results or a character and fitness review, raise it early in the offer stage rather than late. Most employers will work with a conditional start date, but they need enough lead time to plan caseload coverage.
Trial Attorney Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most trial attorneys?
The companies hiring the most trial attorneys right now include Allstate Insurance, United States Department of Justice, and Morgan & Morgan, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Public sector employers such as district attorney offices, public defender offices, and state attorneys general tend to post consistently throughout the year.
How many trial attorney jobs are remote?
About 72% of trial attorney openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which is lower than most legal roles because courtroom appearances require physical presence. The sub-areas most amenable to remote work include pre-trial research, document review, depositions conducted via video, and appellate brief writing.
How do you become a trial attorney?
You become a trial attorney by earning a Juris Doctor, passing the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice, and gaining hands-on litigation experience as early as possible. Clinics, moot court, and externships with prosecutors, public defenders, or civil litigation firms during law school build the courtroom fundamentals employers look for. From there, junior associate roles or government attorney positions provide supervised first-chair opportunities that develop your advocacy skills over time.
Can you get hired as a trial attorney with little experience?
You can get hired as a trial attorney with limited experience if you emphasize practical courtroom exposure from law school, including clinical work, mock trial competitions, or summer associate placements. Public sector offices, including prosecutor and public defender programs, routinely hire new attorneys specifically because they offer structured supervision and rapid first-chair responsibility. Demonstrating oral advocacy skills during the interview process carries significant weight when your resume is still thin on verdicts.
What does the trial attorney interview process look like?
The trial attorney interview process typically begins with a screening call or written application review, followed by one or more rounds with hiring partners or committee members who focus on your litigation history, legal reasoning, and courtroom composure. Many employers include a practical exercise such as a mock argument, a cold deposition, or a written motion assignment. Government positions often add a structured oral panel, while large firm roles may include a callback with multiple attorneys across a full day.
Where can I find and apply to trial attorney jobs?
You can find and apply to trial attorney jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search by practice area, location, or experience level to narrow down roles that fit your background, then apply directly to each listing that matches what you're looking for.
See All 182+ Trial Attorney Jobs
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