Associate Attorney

Profile

Associate Attorney (0–3 Years Experience) – Santa Barbara, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA

Law Offices of John C. Carlson, P.C.
Location: Santa Barbara, CA (Downtown); San Luis Obispo, CA (Downtown)
Salary: $80,000 – $100,000 annually
Job Type: Full-time, In-person
Benefits: Paid holidays, professional development support, flexible remote options

About the Firm

The Law Offices of John C. Carlson, P.C. is a small but busy law firm practicing criminal defense and personal injury throughout California’s Central Coast. The firm’s managing attorney has more than 10 years of legal experience and maintains offices in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

This position offers a unique opportunity for a new or early-career attorney (0–3 years) to gain hands-on litigation experience, work directly with clients, and manage cases from start to finish in a supportive, collegial environment.

Position Summary

We are seeking a full-time Associate Attorney based in Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo to assist with a large personal injury and criminal defense caseload. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn, comfortable appearing in court, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Handle criminal law cases (felony and misdemeanor) from start to finish
• Assist in all stages of plaintiff-side personal injury litigation
• Attend court appearances, both in-person and remotely
• Take and defend depositions
• Draft pleadings, discovery requests and responses, motions, briefs
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda
• Maintain organized case files and track case deadlines
• Communicate regularly with other team members, clients, courts, and opposing counsel

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license (required)
• 0–3 years of experience in criminal defense or civil litigation preferred
• Strong legal writing, research, and communication skills
• Excellent time management and attention to detail
• Self-starter with the ability to work in a small team environment
• Strong interpersonal skills

Work Schedule & Location

• Primarily in-person
• Some remote work permitted
• Standard schedule: 8 hours per day, Monday–Friday, starting between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
• Occasional travel to San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara
• Daily communications with the managing attorney and other team members, whether in-person or remote

Compensation & Employment Details

• Salary: $80,000 – $100,000 annually
• Probation Period: 3 months
• Target Start Date: January 1, 2026
• Benefits: Paid holidays, flexible remote work, mentorship, and training opportunities. Benefits types and amounts will increase based on experience in the firm.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your résumé and a brief cover letter to:
John Carlson – john@carlsonlegaloffices.com

Qualified candidates will be contacted for a remote initial interview to further explain the position's responsibilities.

Company info

Law Offices of John C. Carlson, P.C.