Criminal Defense Associate

3 to 5 Years Experience · Northern Virginia

The Constitution does not enforce itself.

We need an attorney who shows up for clients when the system would rather they disappear. Someone who knows the difference between a plea and a fight, and who can be trusted with another person's freedom.

Right Path Law Group is a criminal defense and personal injury firm with offices in Chantilly and Manassas. We serve a predominantly Spanish-speaking community across the DMV, and we are hiring our next Criminal Defense Associate. This is a real trial role, with a real caseload and a real path to Senior. It is not a stop on the way to somewhere else.

This role reports to our Senior Criminal Defense Attorney and works directly with firm leadership on case strategy, client outcomes, and where this practice goes next.

Why this role is built for the 3-to-5-year attorney

You are past the stage of learning which courtroom is which. You have real trials behind you, you have stood up in General District Court, and you are ready for heavier files, more first-chair work, and matters that actually carry weight. You are not looking to coast, and you are not ready to slow down.

That is the attorney we built this seat for.

We are not looking for someone who we have to teach how to try a case. We are looking for someone we can hand a docket to, mentor through the hardest felony matters, and grow into a leader of this practice. Three to five years is the sweet spot: enough trials to contribute on day one, early enough in your career to grow with us.

Total Compensation: $135,000 to $155,000+

Base Salary: $115,000 to $125,000, based on experience and trial record

• $115,000 — 3 to 4 years of criminal defense or prosecution experience, with felony and misdemeanor trial work in the General District Court.
• $125,000 — closer to 5 years, with first-chair trial experience in Circuit Court, jury or bench.

Quarterly Performance Bonus: 10% of base salary (roughly $11,500 to $12,500 per year), paid quarterly when you meet KPI thresholds tied to cases closed and fees collected.

Referral Bonus: 15% of fees on criminal cases you personally originate and resolve.

Realistic Year 1 total compensation: $135,000 to $155,000+

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance (employee coverage)
• 401(k) with 4% employer match after one year of continuous employment
• 3 weeks paid time off plus firm holidays
• Pre-Approved CLE expense reimbursement
• A defined, earned path to Senior Criminal Defense Attorney

Your Support Structure

You will not be flying solo. The firm gives you:

• A dedicated paralegal for criminal matters
• A fully bilingual administrative team for intake and client communication
• A case management system built for criminal practice
• Spanish-speaking client coordinators who handle front-end communication
• Direct mentorship from our Senior Criminal Defense Attorney on serious felony matters

You focus on the courtroom. The team handles the rest.

What You Will Do

• Carry an active criminal defense caseload across General District, Circuit, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in Northern Virginia
• Build case strategy, draft and argue motions, negotiate dispositions, and try cases when the facts call for it
• Work with the criminal defense team on strategy and workload

This Is Probably Not the Role for You If...

• You see every plea bargain as a win
• You have not been in trial in the last 12 months
• You think serving a Spanish-speaking community is a barrier rather than an opportunity
• Your first question is about remote flexibility before it is about the work
• You define "trial experience" as having watched one
• You misrepresent your trial record. We verify everything.

About Us

Right Path Law Group fights for our community across the DMV. Our criminal defense practice stands with clients during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and we are building a team that takes that responsibility seriously.

Our Mission: Transform 25,000 lives.

Our Values: Resilience. Integrity. Service. Excellence. (R.I.S.E.)

$115,000 - $125,000+ yearly

• Manage criminal defense caseload across General District Court, Circuit Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Northern Virginia jurisdictions
• Represent clients charged with felonies and misdemeanors from arraignment through trial or resolution
• Develop case strategy, draft and argue motions, negotiate dispositions, and try cases to verdict when necessary
• Appear at bond hearings, preliminary hearings, status hearings, motions, and trials across Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria, and surrounding jurisdictions
• Communicate proactively with clients throughout the life of their case, in English and Spanish where applicable
• Collaborate with the criminal defense team on case strategy, workload distribution, and client outcomes
• Document case activity accurately in the firm's case management system and submit quarterly case data for performance review

Required:

• Active Virginia bar license in good standing
• Minimum 3 years of criminal defense or prosecution experience
• Trial experience in the General District Court (felony and misdemeanor)
• Ability to manage a deadline-driven caseload independently
• Public defenders and former prosecutors are strongly encouraged to apply

Strongly preferred (qualifies for $125,000+ base):

• 5+ years of criminal litigation experience
• First-chair trial experience in Circuit Court
• Bilingual Spanish/English fluency
• Familiarity with Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun, Arlington, and Alexandria courts
• Experience with serious felony matters (violent offenses, drug charges, sex offenses)

Right Path Law Group, PLLC, fights for our community across the DMV, and we have built the infrastructure to do it right. A dedicated team behind every attorney. A growing caseload and a firm that rewards performance.

Our Mission: Transform 25,000 lives.

Our Values: Resilience. Integrity. Service. Excellence. (R.I.S.E)