Associate Attorney / Underbar Associate

MGUY Law Office; Manila; Hybrid; PHP 368,000 - 547,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Profit-sharing

Hybrid work schedule

Growth opportunity

Mentorship

Professional development

Job summary

MGUY Law Office in Ermita, Manila seeks an Associate Attorney (or Underbar Associate) with at least one year of litigation experience to join a startup firm at an early stage, handle meaningful matters, and contribute to building the firm.

You will draft pleadings, conduct research, and manage deadlines while communicating clearly with clients. The role offers mentorship, profit-sharing, and a hybrid schedule (3 on-site, 2 remote) with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Excellent written and oral English (and Filipino).
• Comfortable working directly with clients and communicating clearly and professionally.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High ethical standards and professionalism.
• Willingness to work beyond regular hours when necessary to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings, motions, memoranda, affidavits, and other court submissions in civil, commercial, and criminal matters.
• Conduct legal research on statutes, rules, and jurisprudence and prepare research memoranda.
• Assist in case strategy, discovery, and preparation for hearings, pre-trial, and trial.
• Attend court hearings, conferences, and mediations (as allowed by status and under supervision).
• Communicate directly with clients regarding case status, document requests, and next steps.
• Coordinate with witnesses, opposing counsel, and court personnel.
• Manage case files, deadlines, and timelines.
• Take ownership of assigned matters and be willing to put in additional hours when needed.
• Contribute to improving firm processes and systems.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Client communication

Deadline management

Ethics and professionalism

Willingness to work overtime

Education

LL.B. or J.D.

Active Philippine Bar or recent Bar passer/Underbar

Job description

Associate Attorney (or Underbar Associate) - Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days on‑site, 2 days work‑from‑home (or 4 days on‑site, 1 day work‑from‑home)

Location: Ermita, Manila near Supreme Court and Court of Appeals - Padre Faura/U.N. Avenue

Salary: ₱33,000 – ₱49,000 per month + Benefits

About the Firm

MGUY Law Office is a dynamic startup firm specializing in litigation and dispute resolution. Founded to deliver high-quality, client-focused legal services in complex civil, commercial, and criminal matters, we are rapidly growing our litigation practice. As a startup, we offer a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where team members have the opportunity to make a direct impact, shape firm processes, and grow their careers alongside the business.

Role

As an Associate Attorney (or Underbar Associate), you will work closely with the firm’s Managing Attorney on a range of litigation and dispute resolution matters. This is an excellent opportunity for a licensed Philippine lawyer (or recent Bar passer) with at least one year of litigation experience, or strong potential, to join a startup law firm at an early stage, handle meaningful work, and contribute to building the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a recognized law school

• Active member of the Philippine Bar in good standing or recent Bar passer / Underbar Associate (law graduate who has taken the Bar and is awaiting results or admission)

• Strong legal research and writing skills

• Excellent written and oral English (and Filipino)

• Comfortable working directly with clients and communicating clearly and professionally

• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• High ethical standards and professionalism

• Willingness to work beyond regular hours when necessary to meet case deadlines and client needs

• Prior litigation experience (at least 1 year) or relevant paralegal/clerkship experience is an advantage.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation package (commensurate with experience)

• Profit-sharing

• Hybrid work schedule: 3 days on‑site and 2 days work‑from‑home for Associate Attorneys

• Opportunity to grow with a startup law firm and help build its future

• Direct mentorship from the Managing Attorney

• Professional development and early exposure to meaningful litigation work

Key Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings, motions, memoranda, affidavits, and other court submissions in civil, commercial, and criminal matters

• Conduct legal research on statutes, rules, and jurisprudence and prepare research memoranda

• Assist in case strategy, discovery, and preparation for hearings, pre-trial, and trial

• Attend court hearings, conferences, and mediations (as allowed by status and under supervision where applicable)

• Communicate directly with clients regarding case status, document requests, fact-gathering, and next steps

• Coordinate with witnesses, opposing counsel, and court personnel

• Manage case files, deadlines, and timelines

• Take ownership of assigned matters and be willing to put in additional hours when hearings, filings, or urgent client needs require it

• Contribute to improving firm processes and systems