Associate Criminal Defense Attorney

About Our Firm

At Patituce & Associates, we believe no criminal case is hopeless. Our team is built on courtroom strength, strategic advocacy, and relentless client defense. We are a trial-focused criminal defense firm that refuses to back down when clients’ freedom, reputation, and future are on the line.

Our attorneys have:

• Handled 20,000+ criminal cases
• Taken 400+ jury trials
• Achieved a 95% trial success rate
• Brought 70+ years of combined experience
• Served as a former prosecutor
• Earned national media recognition

Position Overview

We are hiring an Associate Criminal Defense Attorney to join our growing Ohio defense team. This position offers immediate, hands-on courtroom experience across a wide range of misdemeanor and felony matters, including high-stakes litigation. Associates work directly with senior staff, handling cases from arraignment through trial, while developing advanced litigation, trial, and negotiation skills. We are seeking driven associate attorneys ready to step into serious cases and develop into elite trial lawyers.

Our busy law firm continues to grow, and we are looking for talent that works hard to represent clients well. The best candidate will work seamlessly with partners, other associates, and administrative staff in an effort to effectively serve clients. If you have excellent research and writing skills, can easily use today’s technology, and communicate effectively across all levels, we would love to connect!

$85,000 - $130,000 yearly commensurate with experience

• Determine case strategies and solutions to serve clients’ needs after analysis
• Take responsibility for administrative staff relating to client invoicing/billing records, setting up meetings with clients and completing tasks
• Advise clients by weighing available options toward a successful outcome and plan a course of action
• Complete legal research and prepare motions, pleadings, and briefs
• Appear in court on behalf of clients and argue motions during legal proceedings
• Get the appropriate legal documents ready for clients, such as brief, motions, and pleadings, as well as correspondence

Core Responsibilities

• Represent clients in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases at the state and federal levels
• Conduct arraignments, bond hearings, pretrials, and motion hearings
• Draft and argue motions (suppression, dismissal, evidentiary)
• Prepare cases for trial, including:
• Witness preparation
• Exhibit organization
• Trial strategy development
• First-chair or second-chair jury trials (experience dependent)
• Negotiate with prosecutors and courts
• Manage client communication and case strategy
• Handle emergency and after-hours client needs when assigned
• Communicate effectively with clients to ensure they have a thorough understanding of the proceedings and are included in their defense planning
• Cooperate with colleagues as necessary to coordinate defense strategies
• Advise clients by weighing available options toward a successful outcome and plan a course of action

• Successful completion of accredited law school with Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree with 2 years of related experience
• Prior experience working in a law firm for a minimum of 1-2 years required
• Work independently while handling a heavy caseload
• Decision-making, public speaking, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and communication skills are a must
• Must be a member of your local bar association - active member preferred
• Well-versed in legal research software (Westlaw/Lexis)

• Must be able to maintain client communications via phone, email, and in-person meetings
• Must be able to attend hearings in courts throughout the northern half of Ohio
• Must be able to review evidence, conduct research, and draft motions
• Must be able to work with senior attorneys to coordinate strategy
• Must be willing to zealously represent the accused, regardless of allegations
• Decision-making, public speaking, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and communication skills are a must
• Strong knowledge of legal research programs such as Westlaw and Lexis products is required

Patituce & Associates, LLC is a criminal defense firm providing representation throughout Ohio at all local, state, and federal levels. This includes representation beginning in the investigatory phase through trial, as well as through appellate and post-conviction remedies.

We offer paid time off, family leave, health insurance, CLEs, and biannual licensing fees. We also provide a stipend to cover attorney travel expenses.