what is an associate attorney

An associate attorney is a lawyer with less experience who works for a law firm. They typically work under the guidance of an experienced attorney or a partner in the firm, assisting with cases by conducting legal research, writing reports, legal briefs, and other documents. Associate attorneys also negotiate with colleagues from other law firms, participate in jury selection, and help argue cases in court. They provide legal counsel to clients who need to prevent or resolve conflicts. The associate attorney career path starts with a junior associate attorney position for lawyers who are just starting out in the legal field. Junior associates are promoted to senior associate based on experience and merit. Lawyers typically spend between six to nine years working at the associate attorney level before making partner. Some attorneys go on to found their own law firms, while others become judges or get involved in politics.