The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart is a respected criminal defense firm serving Pierce County and the greater Tacoma area. Led by seasoned trial attorney Michael Stewart, the firm is known for serious felony defense, complex litigation, and a strong daily courtroom presence.

We are currently seeking an Associate Attorney – Criminal Defense (Full-Time, Tacoma, WA) to join our growing practice.

This is a rare opportunity to work directly alongside a veteran trial lawyer with decades of high-stakes experience, including murder trials and appellate advocacy before the Washington Supreme Court.

PARALEGAL / LEGAL ASSISTANT

Full-Time | Tacoma, WA | In-Office

About the Firm

The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart is a respected criminal defense practice based in Pierce County, Washington. Attorney Michael Stewart brings decades of high-stakes trial experience to the firm, including complex felony defense, murder cases, and appellate work up to the Washington State Supreme Court. Recognized for his tenacious advocacy and deep courtroom knowledge, Mike has built a reputation as one of the most experienced criminal defense attorneys in Western Washington. The office close-knit group of professionals that moves fast and prides itself on responsive, high-quality representation at every stage of a matter.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an organized, dependable, and client-focused Paralegal / Legal Assistant to help run our growing caseload from intake through resolution. You will be a central point of contact for clients and courts and a key part of keeping our matters moving. This is a full-time, in-office position in Tacoma, with the potential to discuss a hybrid arrangement down the line for the right person. Target start is September 2026 to allow training overlap with our current team.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Your work will be varied, fast-paced, and central to how the firm runs. Responsibilities include:

  • Manage client matters from intake through case closure, keeping every file moving with clear next steps
  • Handle client intake calls and coordinate new-client onboarding, often being the first voice a client in crisis hears
  • Prepare, file, and track court documents and deadlines across Pierce County and surrounding jurisdictions
  • Maintain organized case files and calendars so nothing slips through the cracks
  • Communicate professionally with clients, courts, and opposing counsel while demonstrating both compassion and candor
  • Provide day-to-day administrative support to the founding attorney, adjusting priorities as the fast-moving nature of criminal defense demands

Qualifications

Required

  • Prior paralegal or legal assistant experience; criminal defense experience a plus
  • Strong organization and attention to deadlines and the ability to juggle a high volume of active matters without losing detail
  • Professional, courteous, and dependable client-facing manner
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • A self-starter mentality. Reliable, accountable, and able to keep matters moving without close supervision
  • Comfortable working in-office full-time in Tacoma

Ideal Candidate Traits

  • Background in criminal defense, prosecution, or other litigation support
  • Calm under pressure and able to handle urgent matters, shifting priorities while maintaining composure
  • Compassionate with clients navigating stressful situations, while staying organized and efficient
  • Quick learner who is comfortable with legal technology and modern tools, including AI-assisted workflows
  • A desire to grow with the firm and take on increasing responsibility and compensation

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive pay commensurate with experience, benchmarked to the Tacoma-area market
  • Paid time off and sick leave
  • A central role in a respected, growing criminal defense practice with a promise that no two days in your new career will be alike

Why Join the Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart?

This is not a back-office filing job. You will be at the center of a busy criminal defense practice. You will be the person clients, courts, and counsel rely on to keep things moving while working directly with a lawyer who has tried murder cases, argued before the Washington Supreme Court, and earned the trust of judges, prosecutors, and clients across the region. If you want work that matters to real people navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives and to gain invaluable experience from one of the most highly regarded legal professionals in his practice area, this is the opportunity for you.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • Resume
  • Brief cover letter or note describing your experience and interest
  • References

Apply via email to stewartlawtacoma@gmail.com.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY – CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Full-Time | Tacoma, WA | In-Court & Office

About the Firm

The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart is a respected criminal defense practice based in Pierce County, Washington. Attorney Michael Stewart brings decades of high-stakes trial experience to the firm, including complex felony defense, murder cases, and appellate work up to the Washington State Supreme Court. Recognized for his tenacious advocacy and deep courtroom knowledge, Mike has built a reputation as one of the most experienced criminal defense attorneys in Western Washington and serves as a mentor to many attorneys throughout the region. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from a seasoned trial lawyer who is deeply invested in the professional growth of those around him.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an ambitious, compassionate, and competitive Associate Attorney to join our growing practice. This role is ideal for a lawyer who thrives in the courtroom, operates with urgency and initiative, and is eager to develop their career under the mentorship of a veteran criminal defense attorney. You will handle a diverse caseload of criminal matters, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, with meaningful autonomy and direct access to Mike’s strategic guidance on case positioning, judge-specific strategies, and courtroom advocacy.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Your work will be dynamic, fast-paced, and high-impact. Responsibilities include:

  • Manage and advance an active caseload of criminal defense matters across multiple courtrooms in Pierce County and surrounding jurisdictions
  • Appear in court daily for hearings, arraignments, motions, status conferences, and trials – always moving cases forward with clear objectives
  • Conduct legal research using modern tools including Westlaw, Lexis, and AI-assisted legal research platforms (ChatGPT, Lexis AI, and similar technologies)
  • Draft and argue motions, negotiate with prosecutors, and identify creative resolution opportunities at every stage of a case
  • Meet with clients to provide counsel, manage expectations, and build trust – demonstrating both compassion and candor
  • Collaborate closely with Mike Stewart on case strategy, leveraging his decades of courtroom experience and relationships within the local legal community
  • Respond with flexibility to the unpredictable nature of criminal defense – adjusting priorities, picking up urgent matters, and maintaining composure under pressure
  • Contribute to the firm’s growth by delivering exceptional client service and upholding the firm’s reputation for aggressive, well-prepared advocacy

Qualifications

Required

  • J.D. from an accredited law school and active Washington State Bar membership (or ability to obtain promptly)
  • Approximately 3+ years of criminal law experience – criminal defense or prosecution experience both welcome
  • Demonstrated courtroom presence: ability to handle hearings independently, advocate persuasively, and manage a fast-moving docket
  • Proficiency with legal research platforms and comfort integrating AI-assisted legal technology into daily workflow
  • Strong written and oral advocacy skills
  • A self-starter mentality – reliable, accountable, and driven to meet obligations without close supervision

Ideal Candidate Traits

  • Background in public defense, private criminal defense, or prosecution
  • Assertive yet personable – able to hustle through a busy courthouse while maintaining strong professional relationships
  • Quick learner with strong situational awareness who can pick up the facts and posture of a case on the fly
  • Compassionate and competitive in equal measure – genuinely caring about clients’ outcomes while fighting hard on their behalf
  • A passion for criminal law and a desire to grow into a highly skilled trial attorney

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, benchmarked above local market rates
  • Performance-based bonus structure – earn a percentage of revenue you generate above your base caseload
  • SEP IRA retirement contribution
  • Health insurance premium reimbursement
  • Paid time off and sick leave
  • Unparalleled mentorship from one of Western Washington’s most experienced criminal defense trial lawyers
  • Potential to bring a legal assistant or support staff member with you

Why Join the Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart?

This is not a position where you will be filing paperwork in a back office. You will be in the courtroom every day, sharpening your skills and building your reputation alongside a lawyer who has tried murder cases, argued before the Washington Supreme Court, and earned the trust of judges, prosecutors, and clients across the region. Mike believes that the best associates are developed through experience, autonomy, and direct mentorship – not by being micromanaged. If you are looking for a firm where you can grow quickly, take on meaningful work from day one, and learn from someone who has seen it all, this is the opportunity.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • Resume or CV
  • Cover letter describing your interest in criminal defense and what you bring to the role
  • Writing sample (motion, brief, or memorandum preferred)
  • References

Apply via email to stewartlawtacoma@gmail.com.