Family Law Associate Attorney

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. The Perks We are committed to supporting our team both professionally and personally. Our benefits package is designed to promote well-being, financial stability, and long-term growth.

Competitive Salary + Bonus Potential Discretionary Bonuses Medical Insurance Vision Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Disability Insurance Paid Time Off Paid Sick Time Paid Personal Wellness Days Paid Bereavement Paid Holidays 401(k) Plan 401(k) Match Parental Leave Paid Jury Duty Time Paid Professional Memberships Approved Continuing Legal Education Approved Classes or Seminars Free Legal Services for Employees Employee Referral Bonus Fun Employee Celebrations Retreats and Team Building Events And more About Sussman Law Firm, PLLC Sussman Law Firm is a Charlotte-based firm focused on family and immigration law.

We value accountability, initiative, and professional growth within a collaborative, high-performance environment. We are not your typical law firm. We are poised for aggressive growth, and we believe great work starts with a strong team. Our Culture Sussman Law Firm fosters an environment where employees are empowered to make a real impact in clients’ lives every day.

We value accountability, ownership, and collaboration. Every team member—regardless of role—is respected, supported, and encouraged to grow professionally and personally. This is a high-performance environment. We work hard, hold ourselves to high standards, and take pride in doing things the right way. The work is challenging—but it is also meaningful, rewarding, and growth-oriented.

If you are looking for a role where you will be pushed to grow, supported by a strong team, and make a difference in people’s lives, you will fit right in. If you are hired, you will be part of a wonderful team of people who work hard to get the job done right the first time and take pride in the work that they do. You will be part of a team that is rewarded for their hard work.

Is this going to be an easy job? No. It might be the biggest challenge of your life. However, it is our belief that anything really great is worth working hard for and that our greatest growth comes from our biggest challenges. More importantly, you will find great joy in helping people find solutions in the areas of their lives that matter most!