What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Criminal Defense Attorney In Person Tacoma Spanish Preferred position at Law Offices of Smith and White, PLLC?
EVERY ATTICUS HAD A FIRST CASE
ASSOCIATE CRIMINAL-DEFENSE ATTORNEY • IN-PERSON • TACOMA • SPANISH PREFERRED
Atticus Finch is fictional. The frightened person standing beside you in court is not.
An established criminal-defense firm in downtown Tacoma seeks an associate who believes criminal defense is critical work for real people and finds purpose in standing beside someone during the most difficult and consequential moments of their life.
THE POSITION
The associate will manage criminal cases from intake through resolution, including client meetings, discovery review, investigation, negotiation, motions, sentencing, and trials.
Our practice emphasizes felony charges, driving under the influence, assault, domestic-violence allegations, and protection orders. You will receive meaningful courtroom responsibility, direct mentorship, and an established flow of retained matters, supported by experienced legal staff, including a bilingual intake specialist.
THE CANDIDATE
· Wants to represent accused people, including many who speak Spanish.
· Can earn the trust of a frightened client while still delivering difficult advice.
· Looks beyond the police report and asks what is missing, exaggerated, or simply wrong.
· Knows that effective defense requires preparation and judgment, not constant combat.
· Takes responsibility for a case, keeps the client informed, and seeks help before there is a crisis.
· Wants meaningful courtroom responsibility and growth into increasingly serious felony work.
· Can work closely and respectfully with experienced legal staff.
· Some trial experience is preferred.
COMPENSATION
$90,000 base salary plus an ethics-compliant production incentive: 30% of collected fees credited to the attorney above $400,000 annually.
Example: Eight matters per month averaging $6,000 in collected fees would produce approximately $142,800 in total annual cash compensation.
Benefits include health insurance, sick leave, two weeks of paid vacation, paid federal holidays, and mileage reimbursement.
TO APPLY
Please submit a résumé, writing sample, and answers of no more than 200 words each:
1. What law-related book, movie, case, or series has most influenced how you believe a lawyer should treat a client—and why?
2. Why criminal defense? Tell us what led you to this work.
Salary : $90,000 - $400,000