Associate Attorney

FrizWoods LLC; Upper Marlboro (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle allowance

Health insurance (employer-paid 65%)

Retirement plan with employer match

Malpractice insurance paid by the firm

Maryland bar dues & CLE expenses paid

No billable-hour requirement

Path toward partnership

Origination credit for business

Job summary

FrizWoods LLC in Maryland is seeking an associate attorney to handle a criminal defense caseload in Maryland District and Circuit Courts. You will manage your own cases, including bench trials, motions hearings, bail reviews, and probation matters.

Candidates with experience as an Assistant State's Attorney or Public Defender are strongly preferred, and the firm offers a robust compensation package and a defined path toward partnership.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Maryland and in good standing.
• Meaningful courtroom experience in Maryland criminal cases.
• Experience as an Assistant State's Attorney is strongly preferred.
• Experience as an Assistant Public Defender is valued.
• Experience trying cases in Maryland District or Circuit Court.
• Ability to independently prepare cases, negotiate effectively, and make strategic decisions.
• Ability to manage a docket across multiple Maryland jurisdictions.
• Strong written and oral advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of criminal cases from initial consultation through disposition or trial.
• Appear regularly in District and Circuit Courts.
• Conduct bench trials and contested motions hearings.
• Handle bail reviews and violation-of-probation matters.
• Review police reports, forensic evidence, and other discovery.
• Identify suppression issues and develop litigation strategies.
• Negotiate directly with prosecutors and prepare witnesses and clients for court.
• Develop toward handling felony jury trials as lead counsel.

Skills

Courtroom experience

Negotiation

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Case management

Independent case handling

Education

Maryland Bar License

Job description

We are hiring an associate attorney to handle a criminal defense caseload in Maryland District and Circuit Courts.

This is a courtroom position. You will handle your own cases, including bench trials, motions hearings, bail reviews, violation-of-probation hearings, and other contested proceedings. As your experience and caseload develop, you will also have opportunities to handle serious felony and jury-trial matters with partner support.

We are particularly interested in attorneys coming from a Maryland State's Attorney's Office or the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.

Former prosecutors are strongly preferred because of the experience that comes from evaluating cases, negotiating with defense counsel, working with law enforcement, and trying criminal cases from the State's side. At the same time, experienced public defenders can bring exactly the kind of courtroom judgment, client-management skills, and trial experience that translate well to our practice, and we strongly encourage them to apply.

What We're Looking For

• Licensed to practice law in Maryland and in good standing
• Meaningful courtroom experience in Maryland criminal cases
• Experience as an Assistant State's Attorney is strongly preferred
• Experience as an Assistant Public Defender is also highly valued
• Experience trying cases in Maryland District or Circuit Court
• Ability to independently prepare cases, negotiate effectively, and make sound strategic decisions
• Ability to manage a docket across multiple Maryland jurisdictions
• Strong written and oral advocacy
• Good judgment and the ability to communicate clearly with clients facing serious and stressful circumstances

Experience in Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Howard, Calvert, Baltimore, or another Maryland jurisdiction is particularly useful, but attorneys from any Maryland State's Attorney's Office or Public Defender's Office should apply.

Compensation and Benefits

• $100,000–$110,000 base salary, depending on experience
• Performance bonus tied to collections on cases you handle
• Origination credit for business you bring to the firm
• $650/month vehicle allowance for courthouse travel
• 65% employer-paid health insurance premium
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Malpractice insurance paid by the firm
• Maryland bar dues and CLE expenses paid by the firm
• No billable-hour requirement
• A defined path toward partnership for the right attorney

What the Job Actually Looks Like

You will not spend your first year carrying another lawyer's briefcase.

Associates receive real responsibility because we are hiring someone who already knows how to operate in a courtroom. Depending on your experience, you can expect to:

• Take ownership of criminal cases from initial consultation through disposition or trial
• Appear regularly in District and Circuit Courts
• Conduct bench trials and contested motions hearings
• Handle bail reviews and violation-of-probation matters
• Review body-camera footage, police reports, forensic evidence, and other discovery
• Identify suppression issues and develop litigation strategies
• Negotiate directly with prosecutors
• Prepare witnesses and clients for court
• Work directly with Max and Luke on serious and complex cases
• Develop toward handling felony jury trials as lead counsel
• Build your own professional reputation and book of business

For a prosecutor interested in moving to defense work, this position offers the opportunity to use your courtroom experience while learning how to evaluate cases from the other side.

For a public defender, it offers the opportunity to continue doing substantive criminal defense work with a smaller caseload, greater resources, competitive private-sector compensation, and the ability to develop long-term relationships with clients and build your own practice.