Associate Attorney, Criminal Defense

Full-Time  |  Tacoma, WA  |  In-Office  |  Pierce and King County Courts 

About the Firm

Tim Rusk Attorneys is a criminal defense and personal injury firm based in Tacoma. Tim Rusk was born, raised, and educated in the greater Tacoma area and has handled thousands of criminal cases here. The firm’s criminal practice covers DUI, domestic violence, assault, protection orders, and some lower-level felony matters across Pierce, King, and at times Thurston Counties. The firm also represents people who have been injured in car accidents and personal injuries.  The firm is adding its fourth attorney. This role focuses on criminal defense.

The Opportunity

You will carry your own criminal defense caseload from the first meeting through resolution, working directly with Tim and a small, capable team, in front of judges you will get to know well. Our intake team connects you with potential clients every day. You meet with them, take on the cases that are a fit, and do the work. You run your cases. Tim is down the hall when you want a second opinion, and out of the way when you don’t. This is a role for an attorney who wants real independence with real support behind it.

What You’ll Do

• Carry a criminal defense caseload and work each case from qualified first call through resolution
• Meet with potential clients, explain their situation plainly, and take on the cases that are a fit
• Appear in Pierce and King County district, municipal, and superior courts
• Negotiate with prosecutors, prepare motions, and try cases when that is the right call for the client
• Work with our intake team so potential clients hear back quickly
• Grow with a firm that expects to open a King County office

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Licensed to practice in Washington, or eligible for admission
• A few years of practice experience in criminal defense, prosecution, or a closely related area
• Comfortable in front of a client and in front of a judge
• Organized enough to manage a real caseload without missing critical deadlines

A real advantage

• Prior sales, hospitality, or other customer-facing work. Some of the best defense lawyers we know sold something and/or helped customers before they practiced law. Most attorneys can do the legal work. Managing expectations, handling an upset client, and helping someone make a decision are the harder skills. If that is part of your background, say so.
• Familiarity with Pierce or King County courts and prosecutors
• A second language, especially Spanish

Compensation

• Competitive base salary, depending on experience
• Expected annual compensation: $125,000–250,000, DOE (base plus performance incentives).
• A direct percentage bonus on the cases you close and carry through. We are straightforward about this: the more cases you take on and see through to resolution, the more you earn.
• Health insurance, PTO, bar dues, CLE

Why Here

Direct access to the founding attorney, mentorship when you need it, independence when you don’t, and compensation tied to the work you actually do. You have the opportunity to increase your pay by becoming more efficient and effective to help more clients.

How to Apply

Send a resume and a short note about what you have done and what you want to build to tim@timruskattorneys.com. If you know a good attorney who might be a fit, pass this along.
Tim Rusk Attorneys is an equal opportunity employer.