Associate Attorney - Criminal Defense (Remote, Arizona)

We are hiring one experienced criminal defense attorney to step into an active caseload now. Misdemeanors and low-level felonies, case reviews, prosecutor negotiations, court appearances, and client communication. Our sales have grown fast, court dates stack up, and we prioritize candidates who can start within two weeks of an offer.

If you are good at this work and are tired of getting worked to the ground at your current firm, this position is for you. If you're tired of working 50 hours a week, this position's for you. If you're tired of driving all across Arizona for court appearances, this position is for you. If you're tired of having to do sales and bring in your own clients, this position is for you. If you're tired of working with ungrateful clients, this position is for you. If you're tired of having to drive to the office every day, this position is for you. We built this firm so the legal work is the job and the rest gets out of your way.

Here is something rare. Our defense cases are in Maricopa County only. Most defense firms send their attorneys all over the state. We do not. And you will not be required to bring in your own cases or spend your days on sales. Our sales team keeps your caseload full so you can practice law.

About a quarter to a third of the role is our Arizona record removal practice (set asides, sealing records, expungements). Our team drafts the applications and our paralegal files them. You review, you sign, and in rare situations you appear at court in person or virtual. Almost no other firm in Arizona does this work at scale, and it grows with the firm.

Future First Criminal Law is a virtual criminal defense firm in Phoenix, with over 250 five-star Google reviews.

We believe good people make mistakes, and one incident should not destroy someone's future. Our founder has been through the criminal justice system himself. We know what a case feels like from the client's perspective, and it shows in how we practice. We track the details other firms drop. We prepare. We get real results, and we treat every client like a human being on the worst day of their life. We care about getting the best result possible in the most efficient time possible.

Most criminal defense firms sound aggressive and attract clients who want to take everything to trial. We do not. We are the guide through a confusing system. Since we focus on first time offenders we are often able to get cases dismissed or really good results without having to go through a trial.

Why work here

• Work from home every day. Even between court appearances you work from home. When you are not in court, you are on Zoom with the team. No office, no commute.
• Maricopa County only. Your court appearances stay close to home. No surprise drives to Yuma.
• No sales duties. You are not required to bring in cases or close new clients. That is our sales team's job.
• No billable hour requirement. We are a flat-fee firm. We do keep track of our time, because we are always trying to improve, but nobody's job depends on hitting hours.
• 40-hour weeks that actually end. Think of it like in school where the sooner you get your homework done, the sooner you go play and have fun.
• Bonuses on top of salary, not instead of it. Current attorneys earn around $10,000 a year or more. Established bonuses are already in place, and you walk into them as soon as you are assigned cases. You can also propose your own. Win for the firm, win for the client, win for you, and we pay it. No ceiling.
• Professional liability insurance covered, 401(k) matching, and unlimited paid time off.
• Your own caseload from day one. No second-chairing for two years. The cases are the firm's and you work them with the care you would want if you were in the client's shoes.

Please do not apply if:

• You are awaiting bar results or have no criminal defense experience. We like you, but this specific seat is not designed to train you how to work criminal defense cases.
• You want to go to trial every week. Most of this work is negotiation, motions, client updates, and quiet wins that change someone's life.
• You see record removal work as beneath you. It is a meaningful part of the role and if you think client's should just do it themselves, then it won't be a good fit.
• You need someone to hold your hand or check your work every day.

Compensation and how to apply:

Total pay is $100,000 . The salary is $90,000. If you are fluent in Spanish, it is $95,000. Plus Avg of $10,000/yr. in bonuses. Plus mileage reimbursement Avg of $4,000/yr.

We are not a big criminal defense firm and we know this is not the highest paid criminal defense job in Phoenix. However, we think it is the most rewarding one, and it is certainly the most livable one. Low-level felonies, misdemeanors, and record removal. A 40-hour week. Work from home. Maricopa County only. Bonuses on top. We value that trade far more than a demanding salary that keeps you in an office 50-plus hours a week and never lets you see your family or have any fun.

Pay: $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Do you live in Arizona and are you able to appear in person at courts throughout Maricopa County?
• Tell us about your defense style (motion vs. negotiation focused)
• What's your favorite way to get a case dismissed?
• What is your earliest realistic start date?
• Are you currently licensed to practice law in Arizona?

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote

Salary : $4,000 - $100,000