Criminal Defense Associate Attorney – Santa Maria, California (Spanish Required)

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 humility, 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.

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.

• 401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan: Our firm 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.

• Mentorship and Professional Development: Work alongside highly seasoned criminal defense attorneys. This is an opportunity for an ambitious attorney to continue elevating their practice, strengthening their skills, and growing as an advocate.

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

How to Apply

Please include an updated resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter should include answers to the following:

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

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

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

4. In Spanish, share an example of how you give to the community. While we would like you to respond to question #4 in Spanish, please respond in English for all other communication besides your response to question #4.

Please do not call our office regarding this position. If your application is selected, we will contact you with next steps.

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 contribute to a firm built around Excellence, Compassion, and Growth, we look forward to hearing from you.

What You’ll Do

• Provide outstanding criminal defense representation.

• Meet with clients, analyze case details, and develop strategy.

• Collaborate with investigators, experts, and treatment providers.

• Conduct research, draft motions, and argue them in court.

• Appear regularly in Santa Maria Criminal Court and San Luis Obispo Criminal Court.

• Represent clients at court hearings, DMV proceedings, and court and jury trials.

• Communicate with clients thoughtfully and proactively so they feel informed, heard, prioritized, and confident that they are in capable and caring hands.

• Contribute to our supportive team culture, where collaboration and client-centered service are non-negotiable.

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.

• You are fluent in both English and Spanish (required). You must be comfortable and proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in both languages.

• 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.

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.

We believe criminal defense can be a pathway to growth and transformation. As we continue to grow, we are seeking the right attorney to join our Santa Maria office. 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.