Criminal Defense Associate Attorney

Criminal Defense Associate Attorney – Santa Maria or Templeton, California

We are continuing to grow and are looking for the right attorney to join our team in our Santa Maria office or our Templeton office.

At Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense, we believe criminal defense representation can be a pathway to growth and transformation. We are continuing to grow and are looking for the right attorney to join our team in our Santa Maria office or our Templeton office. When our firm represents someone facing criminal charges, they receive more than just a lawyer who shows up in court; they have a team of dedicated advocates standing beside them. We measure success both by the outcomes we have in court and by the experience we create for clients throughout their representation.

What We Offer

• Total Annual Compensation: Up to $155,000: $125,000 base salary plus the opportunity to earn up to an additional $30,000 in annual performance-based bonuses.

Real Mentorship. Every Week.

At Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense, mentorship is not something we promise and hope happens. It is built into your schedule every week. As an Associate Attorney, you will have:

• Weekly 1:1 with the Managing Attorney — dedicated time for mentorship, feedback, professional development, and support.

• Weekly Attorney Case Strategy Session — deep-dive into complex cases with our attorneys, bringing different perspectives and decades of collective criminal defense experience to strategy and problem-solving.

• Weekly 1:1 Case Management Meeting — dedicated time with our case management support team to look ahead at deadlines, hearings, investigations, and case needs so you can stay ahead rather than being reactive. 

• Weekly All-Firm Meeting — celebrate wins, stay connected to the larger team, and recognize real examples of our values of Excellence, Compassion, and Growth in action.

You will have ownership of your cases, but you will not be left to figure everything out alone. You are already an excellent attorney, and we want you to become the best criminal defense attorney you are capable of becoming. We invest the time, structure, and support necessary for you to continue developing at the highest level. 

Additional Benefits

• 401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan: Our firm's 401(k) helps you invest in your future.

• Paid Time Off: Includes vacation days, sick leave, and recognized holidays.

• Healthcare Reimbursement: Up to $500 per month reimbursement for medical expenses.

• Collaborative, Client-Centered Culture: Join a team that values compassion, teamwork, and excellence in advocacy.

Why Join Us

We are a high-performing, client-centered team built around three core values:

• Excellence: Excellence means more than legal knowledge or courtroom ability. It requires preparation, reliability, ownership, thoughtful planning, proactive communication, and consistent follow-through. We expect our attorneys to maintain high professional standards at every stage of a client’s representation.

• Compassion: The clients we serve are often navigating one of the most stressful periods of their lives. We combine zealous legal advocacy with genuine care for the person we represent, expressed through clear, responsive, and respectful communication.

• Growth: We value attorneys who approach their work with reflection, ownership, and a continuing desire to improve. Our attorneys welcome thoughtful feedback, learn from mistakes, and continually elevate their performance.

We care about both the quality of the legal representation and the client's experience of that representation. Our goal is for clients to know that they matter, their case matters, their attorneys are prepared, and our law firm is zealously and energetically advocating for them.

How to Apply

Please do not call our office regarding this position.

All applications should be submitted to Wizehire. If your application is selected, we will contact you with the next steps.

Please include your most up-to-date resume and a cover letter when you apply through Wizehire. Your cover letter should include answers to the following:

• Share a story or experience that exemplifies your emotional intelligence.

• Share a story or experience that demonstrates your commitment to client advocacy.

• Share a story or experience that demonstrates your skill in the courtroom.

• If you are Bilingual in Spanish and English, please mention that in your cover letter. That is a plus, but not a requirement.

This is an opportunity to be part of a mission-driven and growth-oriented team where your skills make a real impact. If you're ready to grow, contribute, and thrive in a collaborative environment, we look forward to hearing from you.

$125,000 - $155,000 yearly

What You’ll Do

• You are an attorney licensed and in good standing with the California Bar.

• You have at least 2 years of experience as a public defender, prosecutor, or in a private criminal defense practice.

• You have completed at least 2 jury trials to verdict.

• You are grounded, compassionate, and growth-oriented; you want to get better every day.

• You demonstrate emotional intelligence. You are self-aware, empathetic, and able to navigate challenging situations with decency.

• While this position requires the experience outlined herein, we are open to considering an attorney with substantially more experience who meets the minimum experience requirements outlined in a separate job post we have done for a “Criminal Defense Senior Counsel.” Please see that job post for more information.

Who You Are

• You are an attorney licensed and in good standing with the California Bar.

• You have at least 2 years of experience as a public defender, prosecutor, or in a private criminal defense practice.  

• You have completed at least 2 jury trials to verdict.

• Spanish-speaking proficiency is preferred but not required. Bilingual candidates who are comfortable speaking, reading, and writing in both English and Spanish are encouraged to apply.

• You are grounded, compassionate, and growth-oriented; you want to get better every day.

• You demonstrate emotional intelligence. You are self-aware, empathetic, and able to navigate challenging situations with decency.

• We are open to considering a newer rising-star attorney who meets the minimum experience requirements outlined above, and we are also open to considering an attorney with substantially more experience than the requirements outlined above; for the right candidate with substantial experience, we would consider hiring for a more senior attorney position with a higher salary than what is outlined here. 

Equal Opportunity

Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

This is an opportunity for a criminal defense attorney who is already committed to excellent advocacy and wants to continue elevating their practice alongside highly experienced and skilled attorneys. If you are energized by high professional standards, zealous and compassionate client advocacy, continued professional growth, and the opportunity to be part of a firm built around Excellence, Compassion, and Growth, we look forward to hearing from you.

Who We Are

Founded in 2017, Stein-Conaway DUI & Criminal Defense was voted “Best Defense Law Firm” in the SLO Tribune’s 2026 Best of the Central Coast Awards and has earned more than 275 five-star Google reviews. We are a premier criminal defense practice serving the San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria courts, representing clients facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies.

Clients receive more than a lawyer who appears in court—they gain a team of dedicated advocates. We measure success by both courtroom outcomes and the experience we provide throughout each case.

Our approach is grounded in three core values: Excellence, Compassion, and Growth. Outstanding representation requires strong advocacy, preparation, reliability, ownership, proactive communication, consistent follow-through, and genuine care.