Resident/Associate Attorney Spring '27

Modern Family Law•San Jose, CA

2d•$83,200 - $161,700•Hybrid

About The Position

Modern Family Law (MFL), a rapidly expanding national law firm specializing in family law, is seeking 3Ls and recent graduates sitting for the February 2027 or July 2027 Bar exam for its Residency Program in Oakland or San Jose, California. The role is hybrid, and candidates must sit for the Bar and plan to reside in the state where they are applying. After sitting for the Bar exam, residents join MFL for training in substantive family law and courtroom advocacy. Residents receive mentorship from the MFL Learning & Development department and legal teams to support their transition to an MFL Associate Attorney position upon passing the Bar. The role offers direct client contact and case management on matters including divorce, child custody, and financial support. Associates have a low billable-hours requirement of 100 hours per month and the opportunity to develop litigation skills, including serving as first chair early in their careers. MFL provides technology for caseload and communication management, ongoing learning and development support, and transparent advancement tracks and leadership opportunities. The competitive Resident salary is $83,200. The starting Associate Attorney base salary is $135,000, with total possible earnings of $161,700. The stated salary range is $83,200–$161,700; actual pay may vary based on experience, location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. Candidates should be able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple responsibilities with attention to detail; work respectfully as part of a team; and be eager to learn, grow, practice, and incorporate feedback. Residents complete training and develop client-conversion skills, proactively study, ask questions, complete assignments, and prepare to handle client matters from start to finish upon completion of the Residency. All candidates and incumbents are expected to perform assigned duties, with or without reasonable accommodations. Candidates or incumbents requiring accommodation should advise the Director of People Operations in advance. Full-time employees are eligible for health insurance with an optional HSA, short- and long-term disability, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, a 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs include accident, life, disability, long-term care, critical illness and cancer, and pet insurance. Commuter and transit programs may be available in certain markets. Work From Anywhere eligibility begins after six months.

Requirements

Be a 3L or recent law school graduate sitting for the February 2027 or July 2027 Bar exam.
Plan to reside in the state where applying and sit for the Bar exam.
Hold a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
Register for the upcoming February or July 2027 Bar exam.
Attain a passing score on the MPRE before sitting for the Bar exam.
Timely submit and obtain approval of the State Bar Character & Fitness application.
Submit a cover letter, law school transcript, and responses to the candidate questionnaire.
Thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple responsibilities with attention to detail.
Work as part of a team in a respectful and growth-oriented environment.
Be eager to learn, grow, practice, and incorporate feedback.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Family Law Clinics.
Mock Trial experience.

Responsibilities

Participate in training in substantive family law and courtroom advocacy after sitting for the Bar exam.
Develop skills in client conversion.
Study proactively, build confidence, ask questions, and complete assignments.
Prepare to handle client matters from start to finish upon completing the Residency.
As an Associate Attorney, manage client matters involving divorce, child custody, financial support, and other family law issues.
As an Associate Attorney, manage a caseload and communication using the firm's technology and meet the 100-hour monthly billable-hours requirement.