Description:

At Kaufman, Nichols & Kaufman, PLLC, we offer a rare opportunity for attorneys to grow a practice with real autonomy, backed by mentorship, firm resources, and a steady stream of work with unlimited earning potential.

Who We Are:
Established in 1979, Kaufman, Nichols & Kaufman, PLLC is a respected, full-service law firm serving clients throughout Northern Utah. Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to delivering thoughtful counsel and strong advocacy—recognizing that our clients' businesses, families, and livelihoods depend on the outcomes we help them achieve.

Who we are looking for:
As demand for our family law services continues to grow, we are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our team. This role is designed for an attorney who wants more than a traditional associate position—someone interested in building their own law practice, developing professionally, and working with meaningful autonomy while supported by experienced mentors and an established firm platform.

We view this position as “supported self-employment”: you will have the freedom to manage and grow your practice without micromanagement, while benefiting from mentorship, firm resources, and a steady flow of cases.

What Makes This Opportunity Different

No billable hour requirements
Significant autonomy over your caseload and client relationships
Mentorship from experienced attorneys who want to see you succeed
Opportunity to build your own book of business
Collaborative, supportive, and low-ego work environment
Real earning potential tied directly to your effort and results

Responsibilities:

Manage a caseload primarily consisting of family law matters, with opportunities to handle cases in other practice areas
Develop and execute legal strategies aligned with client goals and legal realities
Maintain consistent, professional, and timely client communication
Appear regularly in court, including motion hearings, evidentiary hearings, and trials
Conduct legal research and analyze complex family law issues
Draft high-quality pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents
Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and staff to deliver strong client outcomes
Conduct client consultations and contribute to ongoing firm growth

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
Active Utah Bar license in good standing (or actively pursuing admission)
1+ year of litigation experience (family law experience preferred but not required)
Strong legal writing, analytical, and strategic thinking skills
Confident and professional courtroom presence
Ability to manage emotionally charged, high-conflict situations with sound judgment
High emotional intelligence and strong client relationship skills
Ability to independently manage a caseload while maintaining quality and professionalism
Organized, dependable, and motivated to grow professionally
Ties to Northern Utah preferred

Compensation:
This is a commission-based position designed for attorneys who want control over their income and practice.

Our attorneys are compensated based on a percentage of fees billed and collected. With consistent workflow and firm support:

Attorneys without an existing book of business commonly earn $120,000+ in their first year
Attorneys with experience or an existing client base often earn $200,000+ annually

With this compensation model, our associate attorneys have no risk. We take care of all typical law firm overhead, including office staff, malpractice insurance, practice management and billing software, etc., giving you all the tools you need so you can focus on your clients and not the administrative parts of a law practice that cause all attorneys headaches.

Who Will Thrive Here
This role is ideal for an attorney who: