Careers at FrizWoods: Join a Trial-Focused Maryland Criminal Defense Firm
FrizWoods is a growing Maryland criminal defense firm built by trial lawyers. Our attorneys appear regularly in District and Circuit Courts across Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Howard, Calvert, and surrounding counties, defending clients charged with DUI, assault, theft, firearms offenses, drug offenses, and serious felonies.
We are currently hiring an Associate Attorney and a Legal Assistant / Paralegal.
We are a small firm by design. There is no billable-hour requirement, no document-review track, and no waiting years for meaningful courtroom responsibility. You will work directly with founding partners Max Frizalone and Luke Woods, take ownership of active cases, and have a visible role in the growth of the firm.
Open Positions
Associate Attorney: Criminal Defense
We are hiring an associate attorney to handle a criminal defense caseload in Maryland District and Circuit Courts.
This is a courtroom position. You will handle your own cases, including bench trials, motions hearings, bail reviews, violation-of-probation hearings, and other contested proceedings. As your experience and caseload develop, you will also have opportunities to handle serious felony and jury-trial matters with partner support.
We are particularly interested in attorneys coming from a Maryland State's Attorney's Office or the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.
Former prosecutors are strongly preferred because of the experience that comes from evaluating cases, negotiating with defense counsel, working with law enforcement, and trying criminal cases from the State's side. At the same time, experienced public defenders can bring exactly the kind of courtroom judgment, client-management skills, and trial experience that translate well to our practice, and we strongly encourage them to apply.
What We're Looking For
- Licensed to practice law in Maryland and in good standing
- Meaningful courtroom experience in Maryland criminal cases
- Experience as an Assistant State's Attorney is strongly preferred
- Experience as an Assistant Public Defender is also highly valued
- Experience trying cases in Maryland District or Circuit Court
- Ability to independently prepare cases, negotiate effectively, and make sound strategic decisions
- Ability to manage a docket across multiple Maryland jurisdictions
- Strong written and oral advocacy
- Good judgment and the ability to communicate clearly with clients facing serious and stressful circumstances
Experience in Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Howard, Calvert, Baltimore, or another Maryland jurisdiction is particularly useful, but attorneys from any Maryland State's Attorney's Office or Public Defender's Office should apply.
Compensation and Benefits
- $100,000–$110,000 base salary, depending on experience
- Performance bonus tied to collections on cases you handle
- Origination credit for business you bring to the firm
- $650/month vehicle allowance for courthouse travel
- 65% employer-paid health insurance premium
- Retirement plan with employer match
- Malpractice insurance paid by the firm
- Maryland bar dues and CLE expenses paid by the firm
- No billable-hour requirement
- A defined path toward partnership for the right attorney
What the Job Actually Looks Like
You will not spend your first year carrying another lawyer's briefcase.
Associates receive real responsibility because we are hiring someone who already knows how to operate in a courtroom. Depending on your experience, you can expect to:
- Take ownership of criminal cases from initial consultation through disposition or trial
- Appear regularly in District and Circuit Courts
- Conduct bench trials and contested motions hearings
- Handle bail reviews and violation-of-probation matters
- Review body-camera footage, police reports, forensic evidence, and other discovery
- Identify suppression issues and develop litigation strategies
- Negotiate directly with prosecutors
- Prepare witnesses and clients for court
- Work directly with Max and Luke on serious and complex cases
- Develop toward handling felony jury trials as lead counsel
- Build your own professional reputation and book of business
For a prosecutor interested in moving to defense work, this position offers the opportunity to use your courtroom experience while learning how to evaluate cases from the other side.
For a public defender, it offers the opportunity to continue doing substantive criminal defense work with a smaller caseload, greater resources, competitive private-sector compensation, and the ability to develop long-term relationships with clients and build your own practice.
We are looking for someone who wants to become an excellent criminal defense lawyer, not someone simply looking for the next line on a resume.
Legal Assistant / Paralegal
We are hiring a legal assistant or paralegal to help keep an active criminal defense practice organized and moving.
You will work directly with two trial attorneys and communicate regularly with clients, courts, prosecutors' offices, and other parties involved in our cases. Because criminal cases move quickly and frequently involve multiple court dates, deadlines, and jurisdictions, organization and attention to detail are critical.
What We're Looking For
- Experience as a legal assistant or paralegal
- Criminal law experience strongly preferred
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to track deadlines across multiple courts
- Professional and compassionate communication with clients facing criminal charges
- Comfort working independently and identifying issues before they become problems
- Familiarity with Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Familiarity with MDEC e-filing
- Proficiency with standard office and document-management software
Experience working in a Maryland criminal defense firm, State's Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, or courthouse is particularly valuable.
Compensation and Benefits
- $60,000 annual salary
- 65% employer-paid health insurance premium
- Retirement plan with employer match
- Flexible paid time off
What the Job Actually Looks Like
This is not a back-office position disconnected from the cases.
You will be involved in the day-to-day operation of an active criminal defense practice, including:
- Tracking court dates, deadlines, and case developments
- Communicating directly with clients
- Requesting, receiving, and organizing discovery
- Managing electronic and physical case files
- Preparing and filing court documents
- Coordinating calendars across multiple Maryland jurisdictions
- Helping attorneys prepare cases for hearings and trials
- Following cases from intake through final disposition
You will work closely with the attorneys handling the cases, and your work will have a direct impact on both our clients and the operation of the firm.
Why Join FrizWoods?
FrizWoods was founded by Max Frizalone and Luke Woods to build the kind of criminal defense practice where lawyers can focus on clients, strategy, and courtroom advocacy.
We care about results, but we also care about how our clients are treated along the way. Our case results and client reviews reflect that approach.
For attorneys coming from government practice, FrizWoods offers something different:
Keep trying cases
This is not a transition from litigation into paperwork. You stay in the courtroom.
No billable-hour requirement
Your value is not measured by how many six-minute increments you record.
Greater ownership of your cases
Substantial responsibility for strategy, client relationships, negotiations, and trials.
Private-practice compensation
Continue doing the criminal work you already know while building a career in private defense.
Direct access to the partners
You work with the firm's owners, not through layers of supervisors.
Room to grow
We want an associate who can become increasingly independent, develop business, handle serious cases, and potentially become a partner.
If you are a prosecutor who has wondered what it would be like to take your trial skills to the defense side, or a public defender who wants to continue representing people accused of crimes with the resources and opportunities of a private practice, we want to hear from you.
How to Apply
Email your resume and a short cover note to [email protected].
Use the position title as the subject line. PDF format is preferred.
Associate Attorney applicants: Tell us where you have practiced and briefly describe your criminal courtroom experience. We are particularly interested in the types of cases you have handled, your trial experience, and the Maryland jurisdictions where you regularly appeared.
You do not need to write a lengthy cover letter. A few substantive paragraphs are enough.
We review every application and generally respond to candidates who appear to be a potential fit within two weeks.
FrizWoods is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.