Associate

ThompsonMcMullan, P.C.; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

FSA accounts

Dental & Vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401k plan

Paid leave & holidays

Paid parking

Job summary

ThompsonMcMullan, P.C. seeks an Associate to join our Shockoe Slip, Richmond, VA office. The role supports the Professional Responsibility and Attorney Discipline practice handling bar complaints, disciplinary investigations, and licensure proceedings, and advises lawyers on ethics and professional responsibility questions.

The associate will work directly with experienced disciplinary defense counsel, taking on substantial responsibility early. The position is full-time, in-office, and exempt.

Qualifications

• J.D. with active membership in good standing with the Virginia State Bar.
• 3–5+ years of litigation experience, preferably including evidentiary hearings or trials.
• Experience with professional responsibility, attorney discipline, or administrative/regulatory proceedings a plus.
• Excellent research and writing skills and sound judgment.
• Discretion to handle sensitive information and counsel professionals under stress.
• Strong organization and ability to manage multiple matters on tight deadlines.
• Fluency or strong proficiency in Spanish is desirable.
• Willingness to flex as required to meet practice needs.

Responsibilities

• Defend lawyers in Virginia State Bar matters through all stages, including appeals.
• Interview respondents and witnesses; review files and trust records; draft responses.
• Analyze conduct under applicable ethics rules and disciplinary precedent.
• Draft motions, briefs, dispositions, memoranda; prepare exhibits and witnesses.
• Support defense before regulatory boards (DPOR, Health Professions, etc.).
• Support advisory work on ethics opinions, departures, conflicts, and trust accounting.
• Handle related civil matters in state and federal court as needed.
• Handle other civil litigation as part of the practice.

Skills

Litigation experience

Research and writing

Client counseling

Organization

Spanish language

Education

J.D. with Virginia Bar admission

Job description

ThompsonMcMullan, P.C. is seeking an Associate to join our Shockoe Slip, Richmond, VA office. This position supports the Professional Responsibility and Attorney Discipline practice which represents lawyers and other licensed professionals facing bar complaints, disciplinary investigations, and licensure proceedings, and advises lawyers and law firms on ethics and professional responsibility questions. The associate will work directly with experienced disciplinary defense counsel and will take on substantive responsibility early. This is a full-time, exempt, and in-office position.

In this role you would be responsible for:

• Defending lawyers in Virginia State Bar matters at every stage, from the initial response to a bar complaint through Bar Counsel’s preliminary investigation, District Committee and Disciplinary Board hearings, three-judge circuit court proceedings, and appeals to the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Interviewing respondents and witnesses, collecting and reviewing client files and trust account records, and drafting written responses to complaints and investigator inquiries.
• Analyzing conduct under the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Legal Ethics Opinions, and disciplinary precedent, and helping to develop defense and mitigation strategy.
• Drafting motions, briefs, proposed agreed dispositions, and memoranda, and preparing exhibits and witnesses for disciplinary and licensure hearings.
• Assisting with defending other licensed professionals before Virginia regulatory boards such as the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), the Virginia Department of Health Professions, and other professional regulatory agencies.
• Supporting the practice’s advisory work, including ethics opinions, law firm departures and dissolutions, conflicts analysis, and trust accounting compliance.
• Handling related civil matters as needed, such as legal malpractice defense and fee and file disputes, in state and federal court.
• Handling other civil litigation with which the firm is involved

Job Qualifications:

• J.D. and active membership in good standing with the Virginia State Bar.
• 3-5+ years of litigation experience, preferably including evidentiary hearings or trials.
• Experience with, or strong interest in, professional responsibility, attorney discipline, or administrative and regulatory proceedings. Prior bar counsel, ethics, or regulatory defense experience is a significant plus.
• Excellent research and writing skills and sound judgment.
• The discretion and temperament to counsel professionals during what is often the most stressful episode of their careers. Disciplinary matters are confidential until certain procedural stages, and candidates must be comfortable handling highly sensitive information.
• Strong organization and the ability to manage multiple matters on tight procedural deadlines, both independently and as part of a team.
• This position is an excellent opportunity to grow a significant law practice with an established client base and assume a leadership role in the future.
• Fluency or strong proficiency in Spanish is highly desired but not a necessary requirement for the position.
• Willingness to flex as required to meet the need of the practice.

Salary Range:

$125,000- $145,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

About Us:

ThompsonMcMullan, P.C. is a law firm committed to excellence in serving business, government, and individual clients in business transactions, corporate matters and real estate transactions, employment counseling and litigation, civil litigation, bankruptcy, administrative law, elder law, estate planning. Our core values focus on dignity, community, honor, civility, teamwork, and passion expressed in a balanced life.

In addition, ThompsonMcMullan, P.C has been recognized by the Richmond Times Dispatch, in partnership with Energage, as a Top Workplace for seven years running, thanks to positive feedback and shared experience from our employees!

We offer our employees

competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Employer paid medical insurance for employees
• Employee funded medical flex spending and dependent care flex spending accounts (FSA)
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Employer paid life and disability insurance
• 401k plan with employer contributions
• Generous paid leave benefits- including PTO, ten paid holidays, and paid parental leave
• Paid parking

ThompsonMcMullan, P.C. provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy/childbirth, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability or perceived disability, genetic information, citizenship, veteran or military status, marital or domestic partner status, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

To learn about our firm, please visit our website at www.t-mlaw.com.