Resident/Associate Attorney Spring '27

Modern Family Law•Oakland, 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 the Oakland or San Jose, California offices. 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 receive training in substantive family law and courtroom advocacy. Mentorship from MFL's Learning & Development department and legal teams is intended to support their transition to an MFL Associate Attorney position upon passing the Bar. The position offers a remote-first setting with office space available, with in-person attendance as required by courts and clients. Associates have a 100-hour monthly billable requirement, direct client contact and case-management responsibilities, opportunities to develop litigation skills as first chair early in their careers, access to technology for caseload management and communication, ongoing learning and development support, and transparent advancement tracks and leadership opportunities. Residents are expected to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, manage multiple responsibilities with attention to detail, collaborate respectfully, and demonstrate eagerness to learn and incorporate feedback. They complete training and develop client-conversion skills, proactively study, ask questions, complete assignments, and prepare to manage client matters from start to finish upon completing the Residency. The stated 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, with actual pay adjusted based on experience, location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full-time employees are eligible for health insurance with an optional HSA, short- and long-term disability, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, healthcare and dependent-care flexible spending accounts, a 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs and commuter and transit programs may be available. Work From Anywhere eligibility begins after six months. 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. MFL states that it is committed to diversity and inclusion and considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with the local Fair Chance Ordinance.

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 in that state.
Hold a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
Register for the February or July 2027 Bar exam.
Attain a passing score on the MPRE before sitting for the Bar exam.
Submit the Character & Fitness application to the State Bar on time and obtain its approval.
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

Complete 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 completion of the Residency.
As an Associate Attorney, manage direct client contact and cases involving divorce, child custody, financial support, and other family law matters.
As an Associate Attorney, meet the 100-hour monthly billable requirement.