Description:

Criminal Defense Attorney | Lynnwood, WA | $100,000–$130,000+ | Formal Mentorship + Exceptional Benefits

Early-career attorney? Get real courtroom experience without being left alone to figure it all out.

You don't become a great criminal defense lawyer by watching from the sidelines.

You also shouldn't have to become one alone.

Thirty-two years ago, when Lance Fryrear was a young criminal defense lawyer, attorney training often sounded something like this:
“Here are your files. Go do it.”

You figured things out. You made mistakes. You learned.

We think there's a better way.

At the Law Offices of Lance Fryrear, you'll get real cases, real clients, real courtroom responsibility—and experienced lawyers who are genuinely invested in helping you become an excellent one.

Real Responsibility. Real Mentorship.
We're Looking for An Attorney in The Early Stages of Their Career—typically 0–3 Years—who Wants to Become a Great Criminal Defense Lawyer.

That Requires Getting Into Court. Making Decisions. Writing Motions. Negotiating Cases. Talking to Clients. Developing Strategy. Preparing for Trials. and Sometimes Facing Situations You've Never Encountered Before.

We'll Give You Those Opportunities. but We Won't Leave You Alone with Them.

Our Firm Has a Formal Attorney Mentoring Program and A Deep Bench to Learn From: 32 Years of Criminal Defense Experience at The Firm's Helm, Two Former Prosecutors, a Senior Attorney Who Has Been Here for 15 Years, Another Highly Experienced Attorney Who Has Been with Us for Seven, Multiple Long-Tenured Team Members, and A Full-Time Private Investigator.

We Talk About Cases. We Brainstorm Strategy. We Challenge Assumptions. We Ask Questions. We Prepare Together.

And when Your Case Gets Hard, Your Team Doesn't Disappear.

One of Our Core Values Is Stronger Together.

We Mean It.

We'll Support You. We'll Also Expect a Lot from You.
Mentorship Doesn't Mean Someone Else Practices Law for You.

We Want Attorneys Willing to Take Ownership Before They Have All the Answers—and Smart Enough to Ask for Help when They Need It.

We'll Invest in Your Development. in Return, We'll Expect You to Prepare, Follow Through, Accept Feedback, Care Deeply About Your Clients, Learn from Mistakes, and Continually Improve Your Craft.

You Won't Be Expected to Know Everything on Day One. You Will Be Expected to Want to Get Better Every Day.

This Work Matters.

People Don't Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer Because Life Is Going Well.

They're Scared. Their Families Are Scared. Their Careers, Reputations, Freedom, and Futures May Be at Stake.

Our Job Is to Stand Beside Them.

We Fight Hard. We Prepare Thoroughly. We Tell Clients the Truth. We Treat Them with Dignity. and We Never Forget that [bold]clients Have Names, Not Numbers.[/bold]

Our Core Values Are:
Fight Injustice. Protect the Good. We Care Desperately. Stronger Together. Better than When We Met Them.

If Those Ideas Mean Something to You, There's a Good Chance You'll Feel at Home Here.

Build a Career. and A Life.

We're Proud of The Lawyers We've Helped Develop. We're Equally Proud that People Stay.

Over the Years, We've Watched Members of Our Team Get Married, Welcome Babies, Buy Homes, and Reach Milestones that Have Nothing to Do with A Courtroom.

There Have Been Eight Marriages, Four Babies, and Multiple Home Purchases Among Members of Our Team.

We Can't Take Credit for Those Things. but We're Proud to Have Created a Stable Workplace Where Talented People Can Build Serious Careers without Putting the Rest of Their Lives on Hold.

And Yes, We Have Fun Together Too: Mariners and Sounders Suite Events, Paint-And-Sip Outings, Volunteer Projects, Firm Celebrations, and Other Team Events.

We Like Each Other.

That Sounds Like a Small Thing until You've Worked Somewhere that Isn't True.

What You'll Do:

Represent Clients Charged with Misdemeanor and Felony Offenses
Appear Regularly in Court
Advise and Communicate with Clients and Their Families
Review Discovery and Identify Important Factual and Legal Issues
Work Directly with Our In-House Investigator
Negotiate with Prosecutors
Research and Draft Motions
Prepare Cases for Hearings and Trial
Participate in Case-Strategy Discussions with Experienced Attorneys
Develop Your Courtroom, Negotiation, and Trial Skills

Trial Experience Is a Plus.

A Desire to Become an Excellent Trial Lawyer Matters More.

Who We're Looking For:
You Must Be an Active Member in Good Standing of The Washington State Bar—or on Track to Become One Before Beginning Employment.

We're Looking for Someone Who:

Genuinely Wants to Practice Criminal Defense
Wants Meaningful Courtroom Experience
Cares About the People Behind the Case Files
Takes Responsibility and Prepares Thoroughly
Communicates Well with Clients
Is Comfortable Saying, “i Don't Know, but I'll Find Out”
Wants Feedback Rather than Avoiding It
Wants Teammates They Can Rely On—and Intends to Be One Too

This Probably Isn't the Job for You If...

You Want to Avoid the Courtroom.

You Think Client Communication Is an Inconvenience.

You Interpret “mentorship” to Mean Someone Else Will Solve Difficult Problems for You.

You Cut Corners when Nobody Is Watching.

You Become Defensive when Someone Gives You Feedback.

Or You Just Want to Handle Your Files and Go Home without Caring What Happens to The People Around You.

We're Looking for People Who Want to Be Counted On.