Search jobs now Find the right job type for you Explore how we help job seekers Contract talent Permanent talent Learn how we work with you Executive search Finance and Accounting Technology Marketing and Creative Legal Administrative and Customer Support Technology Risk, Audit and Compliance Finance and Accounting Digital, Marketing and Customer Experience Legal Operations Human Resources 2026 Salary Guide Demand for Skilled Talent Report Building Future-Forward Tech Teams Job Market Outlook Press Room Salary and hiring trends Adaptive working Competitive advantage Work/life balance Inclusion Browse jobs Find your next hire Our locations

First-Year Lawyer/Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

First-Year Lawyer/Attorney Job Description

First-year attorneys support legal teams by conducting legal research, drafting briefs, reviewing documents and assisting with case preparation. They work under the supervision of senior attorneys to gain hands-on experience in litigation, transactional work or regulatory matters. This role is typically for recent law school graduates eager to build a strong foundation in legal practice and contribute to client service from day one.

Typical first-year lawyer/attorney duties:

Conduct legal research and analyze statutes, regulations and case lawDraft legal documents, including pleadings, contracts, memos and correspondenceAssist with case preparation, including discovery, depositions and trial supportReview and summarize legal documents and client materialsAttend client meetings, hearings and negotiations with supervising attorneysSupport due diligence efforts in corporate transactions or compliance reviewsMaintain organized case files and ensure timely updates to legal databasesCollaborate with legal teams to develop strategies and deliver client solutionsMonitor legal developments relevant to client matters and practice areasUphold ethical standards and maintain client confidentiality

Looking for a first-year lawyer/attorney or a first-year lawyer/attorney job?

Submit your resume or request talent now and our expert recruiters will be with you shortly.Robert Half can assist you with your first-year lawyer/attorney staffing needs.
Salary for First-Year Lawyer/Attorney in Los Angeles, CA
105128 - 168008
Low
105128
The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.
Mid
129363
The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.
High
168008
The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialized certifications.
Projected salaries for related positions Job title Low Mid High Lawyer/Attorney, 10+ Years' Experience 183728 222700 259053 Lawyer/Attorney, 4-9 Years' Experience 144755 183400 227613 Lawyer/Attorney, 2-3 Years' Experience 129035 161785 198465 Business and Ethics Lawyer/Attorney 133620 191915 238420 Director of Legal Administration 115935 132310 159165

Explore more salaries

Learn what sets our data apart

Looking to hire? Start here.

Access the skilled permanent and contract talent you need—from support roles to C-suite—with precision matching powered by Robert Half recruiters leveraging their experience combined together with our industry-leading AI technology. Hire talent

More to explore

Our starting salary projections come from a rigorous, multistep process so that our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across the country and third-party job posting data from Textkernel that we use to independently validate the salary levels. Starting compensation—pay for someone new to a role—can vary significantly based on a candidate’s skills, experience and certifications, as well as other factors including industry, company size and revenue, and demand for the role. To reflect this variability, we report our salary data in three levels: low, mid and high.