Associate Attorney

Company Description

Barnes & Fersten, PLLC is a DUI defense, criminal defense and family law firm committed to the belief that a person's worst day should not define their entire life. As a rapidly growing law firm in East Tennessee, we take pride in our 400+ 5-star Google reviews showcasing our commitment to surpassing client expectations. We expect associate attorneys to provide the highest level of legal representation to each client by providing an extraordinary client experience in accordance with Firm policies and procedures.

We are seeking a candidate interested in both criminal defense and family law who is focused on accomplishing the best result based on the facts and circumstances of each case. This includes preparing every case thoroughly, and effectively communicating legal defenses to prosecutors, opposing counsel, judges and juries across East Tennessee. Job duties will include appearing in courts across East Tennessee including Knox, Blount, Loudon, Anderson, Sevier, Roane, Monroe, Cumberland, Jefferson, Campbell, Claiborne, Union, among others.

Salary and Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: Based on experience with annual reviews for raise opportunities.
• Bonus Opportunities: Quarterly bonuses, and discretionary annually.
• Full Benefits: Health insurance, 401k matching, paid vacation and holidays, child care, CLE and organization memberships to KBA, NCDD, and TACDL, among others.
• Training: Firm will pay for Attorney's travel to TACDL Trial College and a NCDD DUI Conference. Firm will provide training through our training program, including mock negotiations and hearings.
• Team Approach: All attorneys collaborate on cases, including bodycam and document review, and conducting mock negotiations and hearings.
• 4.5 day work week: Our culture means a lot to us. We motivate each other to serve our clients to the best of our abilities but we understand the need for a work-life balance in this high intensity environment. To that end, we have a 4.5 day work week, office happy-hours, and celebrate our success to enhance our employees' quality of life.

Work Experience: 

• 1-10 years of previous criminal law experience.
• 1-10 years of family law experience including divorces, child custody and DCS matters.

Responsibilities: Represent clients from new client meetings to conclusion of the case in various felony and misdemeanor DUI, criminal, juvenile delinquency, divorce, child custody and DCS matters.

• Court Appearances: Appear in General Sessions, Circuit Courts, Juvenile Courts and Chancery Courts across East Tennessee prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of our office.
• Potential New Client Consultations: Handle in-person and phone potential new client consultations by discussing the potential client's case and quoting fees in accordance with firm training and polices.
• Case Review: Develop a personalized legal strategy for each case based on review of the body camera or video evidence, 911 calls, reviewing caselaw, and interviewing witnesses and/or experts to develop all potential defenses that puts our client in the best position possible for negotiations and/or hearings. Meet with clients in-person for case review meetings prior to first court date to review the defense strategy with the client.
• Negotiations: Negotiate with prosecutors to secure plea agreements of dismissals or reduced charges when it is in the client's best interest. Negotiate with opposing counsel to accomplish our clients' goals in family law matters.
• Hearings/Trials: Conduct preliminary hearings, motion hearings and jury trials when it is in our client’s best interest.
• Client Experience: Create a one-of-a-kind attorney-client relationship by creating a lasting impression on the client through diligence, dedication to the client, and showing empathy and compassion for the client’s situation. It is always imperative to determine the client’s primary concerns and goals in hiring our firm so that you take it into account when negotiating a resolution in their case. Provide guidance to clients by understanding the law, explaining all legal options in their case, and keeping the client informed about the defenses in their case and how we plan to proceed at the upcoming court dates.
• Continued Training: Attend training sessions, legal seminars, and other CLE programs to continually craft your proficiency and skills in DUI, criminal defense and family law.
• Team Approach: Case preparation with supervising attorneys to ensure the highest level of work product for the clients’ upcoming court date, including but not limited to mock preliminary hearings and motion hearings.