Criminal Defense Associate Attorney

Protouch Staffing; Tampa (FL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health-insurance stipend

Job summary

Protouch Staffing is seeking a full-time Associate Attorney for a well-established criminal defense practice. The role features a hybrid work arrangement combining in-office, remote, and court-based responsibilities.

Responsibilities include client meetings, drafting motions, research, discovery review, and court appearances. Requires Florida Bar admission and 3–5+ years of criminal defense experience with strong advocacy and time management skills.

Qualifications

• Active Florida Bar membership.
• Minimum 3 years criminal defense experience; 5+ years preferred.
• Experience drafting motions, memoranda, pleadings, and client correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients and assess case facts; provide guidance on charges and outcomes.
• Draft motions, pleadings, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Conduct legal research and apply findings to active cases.
• Review and analyze discovery materials.
• Prepare cases for hearings, negotiations, plea discussions, and trial.
• Appear in court and advocate for clients.
• Negotiate with prosecutors and participate in plea discussions.
• Collaborate with attorneys and support staff to develop defense strategies.
• Manage an active caseload with organized files and deadlines.
• Communicate with clients, courts, opposing counsel, and other parties.

Skills

Legal research

Case analysis

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Time management

Organization

Client communication

Independent work

Federal defense readiness

Education

Florida Bar admission

Tools

Legal databases (Westlaw/Lexis)

Job description

About The Role

A well-established criminal defense practice is seeking a full-time Associate Attorney to join its team. The practice handles a broad range of criminal matters, including misdemeanor and felony cases, federal criminal defense, white-collar criminal defense, investigations, and healthcare-related matters.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining in-office, remote, and court-based responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients, assess case facts, and provide clear legal guidance regarding criminal charges and potential outcomes.
• Draft motions, pleadings, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Conduct legal research and apply findings to active cases.
• Review and analyze discovery materials.
• Prepare cases for hearings, negotiations, plea discussions, and trial.
• Appear in court and advocate for clients.
• Negotiate with prosecutors and participate in plea discussions.
• Collaborate with attorneys and support staff to develop effective defense strategies.
• Manage an active caseload efficiently while maintaining organized files and meeting deadlines.
• Communicate regularly with clients, courts, opposing counsel, and other relevant parties.
• Handle state misdemeanor and felony matters from beginning to end.
• Develop the ability to handle federal criminal matters.
• Meet with clients at the office, detention facilities, and other appropriate locations as needed.
• Participate in collaborative meetings with other attorneys.
• Assist with consultations involving potential new clients and discuss the firm's representation and retention process.

Qualifications

• Active membership in the Florida Bar.
• Minimum of 3 years of criminal defense experience; 5+ years is strongly preferred.
• For candidates with public defender or assistant state attorney experience, at least 1 year of felony division experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong legal research and case analysis skills, including experience using legal research databases.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Experience drafting motions, memoranda, pleadings, and client correspondence.
• Strong courtroom advocacy and litigation skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple cases, deadlines, and court appearances.
• Comfortable working independently in a hybrid environment.
• Strong client communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated, disciplined, and able to work effectively with limited supervision.
• Willingness and ability to learn and develop experience in the federal criminal defense system.

Compensation

This is a full-time position structured on a 1099 independent-contractor basis. The position does not include traditional employee benefits. The firm provides a $6,000 annual health-insurance stipend. Compensation is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.