Where to find attorney jobs
Attorney openings are spread across a dozen kinds of sites. Here is where each type of job is usually posted, and how to find the ones that never are.
Updated October 30, 2026.
Where each kind of attorney job is posted
| Job type | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Law firm associates | Firm career pages, bar association career centers, law school boards, LinkedIn, legal job boards |
| Lateral and senior associates | Legal recruiters, LinkedIn, firm career pages |
| Federal government | USAJOBS |
| State and local government | State personnel portals, attorney general, public defender and district attorney websites |
| Public interest and nonprofit | Public interest job boards, legal aid organizations’ own sites |
| In-house counsel | LinkedIn, company career sites, in-house recruiters |
| Contract and project attorneys | Legal staffing agencies |
Search smarter
- Set alerts by practice area and city rather than checking boards daily.
- Search firm websites directly: many post only there.
- Join your bar association’s young lawyers section; openings are often shared there first.
- Track applications in one spreadsheet with dates and contacts.
Job boards and tools
Option
LawCrossing
A legal job board that collects attorney and legal-staff openings from law firm and employer websites.
Best for: Finding openings that aren’t on general job sites
Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.
Option
Resumeble
A professional resume and cover letter writing service.
Best for: Getting your resume and cover letter professionally rewritten
Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.
Frequently asked questions
Where are entry-level attorney jobs posted?
Your law school’s job board and career office, your state and local bar association career centers, government sites such as USAJOBS and state personnel sites, public interest boards, and legal-specific job boards. Many small firms never post: reach them directly with our outreach plan.
How do I find government attorney jobs?
Federal attorney positions are listed on USAJOBS. State attorney general offices, public defenders, district attorneys and city law departments post on their own websites or state job portals.
When do law firms hire new associates?
Large firms hire mostly through summer associate programs about a year ahead. Small and mid-size firms hire year-round, often after bar results are released.