Associate Criminal Defense Attorney

A law firm in Salinas, CA, is seeking an Associate Criminal Defense Attorney to join their team. This role involves substantial interaction with clients and managing a diverse caseload under the supervision of the Managing Criminal Defense Attorney. The candidate will handle all phases of criminal defense litigation, from preliminary hearings to trial, including legal research, drafting motions, and strategizing case defenses. This position requires a dedicated professional with at least two years of criminal defense experience, ideally with competencies in handling complex cases at federal, state, and local levels. Bilingual skills in English and Spanish are highly desirable.

Job Duties:

• Report directly to the Managing Criminal Defense Attorney.
• Manage a comprehensive caseload, ensuring effective case progression with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.
• Engage regularly with clients, providing updates, advice, and understanding their legal rights.
• Draw up precise legal documents and correspondences about each case.
• Attend pretrial hearings on behalf of clients, and strategize post-hearing steps to align with client goals.
• Manage court appearances and trial preparations and draft necessary legal motions.
• Conduct interviews with witnesses and carry out in-depth legal research.
• Analyze case precedents to estimate probable outcomes and strategize accordingly.
• Provide thorough legal analyses to identify potential case advantages.
• Accrue and examine additional evidence to support the client’s case or develop defenses against the prosecution's charges.
• Prepare clients for depositions and work towards defining clear strategic goals for each case.
• Gather critical information from witnesses and experts to substantiate the client's legal position.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in criminal defense.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex criminal cases at federal, state, and local levels.
• Proficiency in both English and Spanish is preferred.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in the California State Bar.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice in the state of California.

Skills:

• Strong legal analysis and reasoning skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Effective client management skills with a focus on empathy and professionalism.
• Proficient in legal research, drafting legal documents, and courtroom advocacy.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid parking.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and personal leave.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for an attorney looking to advance their career in criminal defense within a supportive and collaborative environment. The firm is committed to providing high-quality legal representation and achieving the best possible outcomes for its clients.

This medium-sized firm specializes in immigration, criminal, employment law, and personal injury. Committed to excellent customer service, the firm provides focused personalized attention to every client's needs. The firm consists of highly experienced and aggressive attorneys and associate attorneys who strive to make a difference in immigration law and criminal defense law. The firm has a collaborative teamwork environment where everybody shares ideas, motivates each other, and solves issues together. The firm is an equal employment opportunity employer dedicated to providing an open and diverse work environment. The legal community has recognized the firm for professional achievements and customer service, including Super Lawyers, The National Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award, 10 Best Law Firms Client Satisfaction, Avvo's Client Choice Award, and other accolades.