Description
Marin & Murphy Law Firm is hiring an associate attorney to join our Rhode Island criminal defense practice at our East Greenwich headquarters. We're looking for someone with 2-4 years of practice and real criminal courtroom experience — from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, a public defender's office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, or substantive private criminal defense work.
The right candidate is ready to handle most cases from beginning to end with confidence, while still benefiting from active partner collaboration on case strategy, complex motions, and trial preparation. We pair real independence with real mentorship — you carry the file, and the partners are genuinely available when a second perspective helps.
What You'll Do
You'll carry a substantive caseload across Rhode Island District and Superior Courts. Misdemeanor and felony work, first-chair from day one on cases within your experience level. You'll handle initial consultations, arraignments, bail arguments, motion practice, plea negotiations, and dispositions as the responsible attorney on your files — the same way our senior attorneys work today.
You'll also develop a federal criminal defense practice in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, working alongside partner Stefanie A. Murphy (admitted D.R.I., D.MA., D.CT.) on federal matters. The firm sponsors and funds your federal admission.
How We Practice
Our attorneys handle their cases from consultation through resolution — one attorney, beginning to end. That model works because every attorney on the file is supported in actually running the case. Partners are available for strategy on harder calls, second-chair on serious felonies and trials, and active mentorship on federal practice. The structure is designed to develop strong attorneys, not to manage them.
The right person believes the work is about the client. That means real preparation, real communication, and real judgment about what each case actually needs. Some cases plead. Some go to trial. Our job is to give attorneys the conditions to make those calls correctly, and to back you up when the call is hard.
Sustained performance opens the path to senior attorney responsibilities — expanded autonomy on serious felonies and federal matters, higher-stakes case assignments, and compensation that grows with what you bring to the firm.
Benefits
Salary: $115,000 - $135,000 based on experience
Health, dental, and vision insurance — 100% employer-paid for the employee. Family/dependent coverage available at employee cost.
401(k) with employer matching
Bar dues, malpractice insurance, and CLE allowance fully covered
Firm funds RI bar admission via the Attorneys' Exam (essay portion only) for qualifying MA/CT laterals with 5+ years of practice
Firm sponsors and funds U.S. District Court (D.R.I.) federal admission
Relocation assistance available for the right candidate
Partner collaboration on complex matters, federal practice, and trial preparation
Standard professional PTO with flexibility for family obligations
Long-term growth into senior attorney responsibilities, including expanded autonomy, higher-stakes matters, and increased compensation tied to performance
About the Firm
Marin & Murphy is a Rhode Island criminal defense law firm founded in 2008. The practice is anchored by founding partner Matthew T. Marin (admitted RI, MA, CT, SC) and partner Stefanie A. Murphy (admitted RI, MA, CT; admitted to U.S. District Courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut). We have 444 five-star Google reviews as of April 2026 and offices in East Greenwich (headquarters), Cranston, Providence, and South Kingstown.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person at 6 Wanton Shippee Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818
Requirements
Requirements
2-4 years of practice with the demonstrated ability to handle criminal cases independently from intake through resolution
Actual criminal prosecution or defense courtroom experience — Rhode Island AG, public defender, U.S. Attorney's Office, or substantive private criminal defense. Not transitions from civil litigation, transactional work, or unrelated practice areas
Real courtroom time — first-chair appearances, motion arguments, plea negotiations, contested hearings. Not just legal research or brief writing
Bar admission in Rhode Island, OR Massachusetts/Connecticut with willingness to seek RI admission via the Attorneys' Exam (firm will fund the application and bar prep for qualifying candidates with 5+ years of practice)
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
On-site presence at the East Greenwich office
Active contribution to firm marketing — reviews, case results, content, and bylines consistent with bar advertising rules
