Description:

About the role:
We are seeking an Associate Family Law Attorney who can own their cases, collaborate with and mentor support staff, and deliver thoughtful, high-quality legal service to clients navigating complex family matters. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who wants to take ownership of their caseload, develop litigation skills, and play a meaningful role in a growing firm. The Associate Attorney will support the Firm's family law practice by managing cases, advising clients, and advocating on their behalf in court proceedings. This role requires strong legal analysis, effective communication skills, and the ability to handle sensitive and often emotional matters with professionalism and empathy. The Associate Attorney will work closely with senior attorneys and staff to deliver high-quality legal services while maintaining compliance with all ethical and legal standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage a caseload of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution.
Represent clients in court hearings, mediations, depositions, and settlement negotiations.
Prepare and draft pleadings, motions, discovery, and legal correspondence.
Conduct legal research and develop case strategies.
Advise clients on legal rights, obligations, and case strategy.
Maintain regular communication with clients regarding case status and expectations.
Handle sensitive client situations with professionalism, discretion, and empathy.
Negotiate settlements and agreements in the best interest of clients.
Collaborate with opposing counsel, mediators, and court personnel.
Ensure compliance with state laws, court rules, and ethical standards.
Maintain accurate and organized case files and documentation.
Meet all court deadlines and filing requirements.
Work closely with Firm attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff.
Participate in case strategy meetings and Firm initiatives.
Contribute to maintaining efficient case workflows and client service standards.
Mentor and support paralegals and support staff to ensure efficient case management and team development.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active license and good standing with the North Carolina state bar.
2+ years of family law experience and courtroom experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of family law procedures and local court rules.
Experience with mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
Familiarity with legal practice management software.

Primary Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Billable time entries.
Collectability of billed hours.
Case resolution timelines.

Key Success Factors:

Effectively manages a full caseload with minimal supervision.
Meets deadlines consistently (court filings, discovery, hearings).
Demonstrates strong litigation and negotiation skills.
Maintains high client satisfaction and responsiveness.
Produces high-quality legal writing (motions, briefs, correspondence).
Exercises sound judgment in case strategy and settlement decisions.
Collaborates effectively with paralegals and support staff.

Travel Requirements:

Frequent travel to courthouses for hearings, motions, trials, usually within Mecklenburg County or nearby counties.
Occasional travel to mediators or law offices for mediations and depositions.