In general, the JUNIOR ASSOCIATE ("JA") will be responsible for handling legal matters assigned to them by the Partners, Senior Associates, or other lawyers within the Firm. Although not limited to specific departments, the JA will work on various matters, including corporate, litigation, and other practice areas. The JA's primary role is to provide both legal and administrative support and contribute to the efficient functioning of the Firm.

In particular, the Junior Associate’s responsibilities may include, among others:

1. Client Management

• Leading or assisting senior lawyers in handling client meetings to determine the client’s issues or legal needs.
• Ensuring that all relevant information and data are secured from the client to determine the scope of work.
• Acting as a liaison between the client and the Firm. This includes communicating with the client and ensuring that the client is regularly updated with any case movement, or any schedules or deadlines, and that client’s questions or concerns are addressed in a timely manner.

2. Legal and Non-legal Personnel Management

• Delegating work and responsibilities to non-legal personnel to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Managing, supervising, and coordinating and non-legal personnel to ensure that they perform their work efficiently and up to the standards required by the Firm.
• Reviewing and revising the work done by non-legal personnel to ensure that everything is in order and meets the high standards required by the profession.
• Evaluating performance of non-legal personnel for reporting and recommending actions to top-level management.

3. Legal Matter Handling

• Assisting senior lawyers in attending client meetings to determine the client’s issues or legal needs.
• Ensuring that all relevant information and data are secured from the client to ensure that clients’ needs are addressed, and work is performed efficiently.
• Drafting or delegating the drafting of pleadings, internal memos, minutes, certificates, authorizations, contracts, affidavits, or other documents required for legal matters.
• Attending meetings, negotiations, hearings, or conferences that arise in relation to legal matters.
• Ensuring that deadlines for filings, compliances, or submissions are met and that schedules for conferences or other meetings are attended to.
• Ensuring that all documents filed with the courts, administrative agencies, or any quasi-judicial agency are compliant with formal and substantial requirements.
• Acting as a liaison between the firm and any counter party’s counsel with respect to legal matters.
• Coordinating with any co-counsel or third-party consultant required by a client.
• Ensuring that the Firm’s policies ang guidelines are strictly adhered to.
• Remaining updated on technical and professional knowledge in the field of law.

4. Top-level Reporting

• Creating reports on the JA’s areas of responsibility and presenting the same to management.
• If any inefficiencies, issues, or rooms for improvement are found, recommending remedies, improvements, or internal controls to address such inefficiencies or issues.

5. Other Responsibilities

• The JA will also perform other work that is necessary or related to responsibilities enumerated above.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school; membership in good standing with the Philippine Bar.
• 1–2 years of experience in a law firm or relevant legal setting preferred, but fresh bar passers with strong potential are welcome to apply.
• Strong legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and professionally.
• Adaptability and openness to working in a hybrid, tech-enabled environment with evolving systems and workflows.
• Proactive mindset, strong work ethic, and willingness to take ownership of tasks and responsibilities.
• Comfortable with collaboration, peer feedback, and contributing to both legal and firm-building initiatives.
• Values aligned with AJA Law’s culture of trust, accountability, non-violent communication, and client-centered service.

Please refer to job description.