Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney (0–3 Years Experience) – Santa Barbara, CA

Law Offices of John C. Carlson, P.C.
Location: Santa Barbara, CA (Downtown)
Salary: $80,000 – $115,000 annually (depending on experience)
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 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
• Draft complaints, discovery requests and responses, motions, and restraining orders
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda
• Maintain organized case files and track case deadlines
• Communicate regularly with 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

Work Schedule & Location

• Primarily in-person at our Santa Barbara office, located at 1035 Santa Barbara Street, next to the downtown courthouse
• 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 (a few times per month)
• Frequent communication and supervision via Zoom meetings with the managing attorney

Compensation & Employment Details

• Salary: $80,000 – $115,000 annually (based on skill and experience)
• 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

For more information about the firm, visit:
www.carlsonlegaloffices.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person