Associate Attorney | Rhode Island Criminal Defense

Marin & Murphy Law Firm is hiring an associate attorney to join our Rhode Island criminal defense practice at our East Greenwich headquarters. We're looking for someone with 2-4 years of practice and real criminal courtroom experience — from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, a public defender's office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, or substantive private criminal defense work.

You should be ready to handle most cases beginning to end on your own. Partner oversight is available on case strategy, complex motions, and trial preparation when you want it — but the role is built around an attorney who already knows how to run a criminal case.

What You'll Do

You'll carry a substantive caseload across Rhode Island District and Superior Courts. Misdemeanor and felony work, first-chair from day one on cases within your experience level. You'll handle initial consultations, arraignments, bail arguments, motion practice, plea negotiations, and dispositions as the responsible attorney on your files — the same way our senior attorneys work today.

You'll also develop a federal criminal defense practice in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, working alongside partner Stefanie A. Murphy (admitted D.R.I., D.MA., D.CT.) on federal matters. The firm sponsors and funds your federal admission.

How We Practice

Our attorneys handle their cases from consultation through resolution — one attorney, beginning to end. That model only works if every attorney on the file can actually run the case. Partners are available for strategy on harder calls, second-chair on serious felonies and trials, and mentorship on federal practice. They are not there to babysit your caseload.

The right person believes the work is about the client. That means real preparation, real communication, and real judgment about what each case actually needs. Some cases plead. Some go to trial. Our job is to give attorneys the conditions to make those calls correctly. Your job is to make them.

Sustained performance opens the path to senior attorney responsibilities — expanded autonomy on serious felonies and federal matters, higher-stakes case assignments, and compensation that grows with what you bring to the firm.

Requirements

• 2-4 years of practice with the demonstrated ability to handle criminal cases independently from intake through resolution
• Actual criminal prosecution or defense courtroom experience — Rhode Island AG, public defender, U.S. Attorney's Office, or substantive private criminal defense. Not transitions from civil litigation, transactional work, or unrelated practice areas
• Real courtroom time — first-chair appearances, motion arguments, plea negotiations, contested hearings. Not just legal research or brief writing
• Bar admission in Rhode Island, OR Massachusetts/Connecticut with willingness to seek RI admission via reciprocity (firm will fund the application)
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• On-site presence at the East Greenwich office
• Active contribution to firm marketing — reviews, case results, content, and bylines consistent with bar advertising rules

Benefits

• Salary: $115,000 - $135,000 based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance — 100% employer-paid for the employee. Family/dependent coverage available at employee cost.
• Bar dues, malpractice insurance, and CLE allowance fully covered
• Firm funds RI bar reciprocity application from MA/CT
• Firm sponsors and funds U.S. District Court (D.R.I.) federal admission
• Partner collaboration on complex matters, federal practice, and trial preparation
• Standard professional PTO with flexibility for family obligations
• Long-term growth into senior attorney responsibilities, including expanded autonomy, higher-stakes matters, and increased compensation tied to performance

About the Firm

Marin & Murphy is a Rhode Island criminal defense law firm founded in 2008. The practice is anchored by founding partner Matthew T. Marin (admitted RI, MA, CT, SC) and partner Stefanie A. Murphy (admitted RI, MA, CT; admitted to U.S. District Courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut). We have 444 five-star Google reviews as of April 2026 and offices in East Greenwich (headquarters), Cranston, Providence, and South Kingstown.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person at 6 Wanton Shippee Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818