The Real Numbers
We're not playing games with "competitive compensation." Here's what we actually pay, what you actually get off, and what your life actually looks like.
| Factor | Virga Law Firm (Panama City Beach) | Typical Miami/Tampa Firm |
|---|---|---|
| Salary (Mid-Level Attorney) | $120,000 | $120,000 |
| Average Home Price | $350,000 | $650,000 - $850,000 |
| Typical Mortgage Payment | $2,200/month | $4,500 - $5,500/month |
| Average Work Week | 40-50 hours | 60-80 hours |
| Commute Time | 10-15 minutes | 45-90 minutes |
| Time Off | 30+ days + Half Fridays | 10-15 days |
| Actual Quality of Life | You can afford a house, see your family, go to the beach, or relax at the springs | You're stressed, broke after bills, and rarely home |
Open Positions
Panama City Beach | Fort Walton Beach | Pensacola
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Senior Family Law Attorney $130,000 - $170,000 + $5,000 Signing Bonus Experience Required: 7+ years family law
Compensation Package:
- Base salary $130K-$170K (based on experience)
- $5,000 signing bonus (paid after 180 days of successful employment)
- Clear criteria for bonus-based performance
- 80 hours vacation + 80 hours sick/personal
- All courthouse holidays off
- Half-day Fridays when KPIs met
- All CLE costs covered (courses, conferences, materials)
- Guaranteed caseload - no headaches or running a business on hunting for cases
- Full benefits package
What We Need:
- Strong litigation background
- Proven track record in family law
- Florida Bar in good standing
- Ready to mentor junior attorneys
This is for experienced attorneys who want to practice law again instead of grinding 70-hour weeks and missing their family's lives.
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Mid-Level Family Law Attorney $110,000 - $140,000 Total Compensation + $3,500 Signing Bonus Experience Required: 3-7 years family law
Choose Your Compensation Package:
Base Salary: $100,000 - $130,000
PLUS select ONE benefit option ($10K-$12K annual value):
- Option A: $10,000/year stipend for health insurance
- Option B: $15,000/year relocation & housing assistance (for 2 years to ease your transition)
- Option C: $10,000 year stipend for student loans
Why we offer choices: Everyone's financial situation is different. Drowning in student loans? Take Option A. Moving from another city? Option B helps with your transition. Want cash flexibility? Option C puts it in your paycheck.
Additional Benefits:
- $3,500 signing bonus (paid after 180 days)
- 80 hours vacation + 80 hours sick/personal
- Courthouse holidays
- Half-day Fridays when KPIs met
- All CLE costs covered (courses, conferences, materials)
- Practice law in paradise
- Community-driven and involved
- Latest legal software
- Holiday celebrations
- Guaranteed caseload - no hunting for clients
- Clear path to senior attorney
- Supplemental Insurance
- Positive work culture that includes celebrations and use of employee acknowledgement system “Bonusly” in which gift cards, etc., are earned
What We Need:
- 3-7 years family law experience
- Litigation experience preferred
- Florida Bar in good standing
- Self-starter who doesn't need hand-holding
This is for attorneys ready to leave the rat race but still build their career and earn excellent money.
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Associate Family Law Attorney $90,000 - $115,000 Total Compensation + $2,500 Signing Bonus Experience Required: 0-3 years
Choose Your Compensation Package:
Base Salary: $80,000 - $105,000
PLUS select ONE benefit option:
- Option A: $10,000/year student loan stipend
- Option B: $15,000 for 3 years housing stipend
- Option C: $10,000 year stipend for insurance
Why we offer choices: We know starting your career is expensive. Pick the option that helps you most, crushing law school debt, affording the move to a new city, or maximizing your take-home pay.
Additional Benefits:
- Positive work culture
- $2,500 signing bonus (paid after 180 days)
- 80 hours vacation + 80 hours sick/personal
- Courthouse holidays
- Half-day Fridays when KPIs met
- All CLE costs covered (courses, conferences, materials)
- Mentorship from experienced litigators
- Hands-on trial experience (real courtroom work)
- Supplemental insurance
What We Need:
- Florida Bar admission (or eligible to waive in)
- Interest in family law litigation
- Strong work ethic and eagerness to learn
- Actual desire to be in court, not at a desk
Start your career without drowning in debt or working 80-hour weeks. Get real trial experience, not endless document review.
Paralegal & Staff Positions
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Senior Family Law Paralegal $50,000 - $65,000 + $2,500 Signing Bonus
What You Get:
- $50K-$65K base salary
- $2,500 signing bonus (paid after 180 days of successful employment)
- 80 hours vacation + 80 hours sick/personal,
- Courthouse holidays
- Half-day Fridays when KPIs met
- All CLE costs covered (courses, conferences, materials)
- Florida Registered Paralegal certification support & exam fees
- Professional association memberships paid
- Supplemental insurance
- Relocation assistance available
Experience:
- 5+ years family law paralegal experience
- Florida Registered Paralegal preferred (or willing to obtain)
- Strong case management skills
- Experience with e-filing and court procedures
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Family Law Paralegal $40,000 - $50,000 + $2,000 Signing Bonus
What You Get:
- $40K-$50K base salary
- $2,000 signing bonus (paid after 180 days of successful employment)
- Relocation assistance available
- 80 hours vacation + 80 hours sick/personal
- Courthouse holidays
- Half-day Fridays when KPIs met
- All CLE costs covered (courses, conferences, materials)
- Full support to become Florida Registered Paralegal (exam fees, study materials, prep courses paid)
- Professional development budget
- Supplemental insurance
Experience:
- 2-5 years paralegal experience
- Family law background preferred
- Strong organizational skills
- Eager to grow and obtain FRP certification
We invest in your professional development. If you want to become a Florida Registered Paralegal, we'll pay for everything and support you through the process.
Your Actual Life at Virga Law Firm
Where Emerald Waters Meet Work-Life Balance
Translation: You practice law. You go home. You see your family. You go to the beach. You're not miserable. You make a difference. That's the job.
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$0Business Development
Required -
12 minAverage Commute
to Office -
45Average Work Hours
Per Week -
30+Average Days Off Per Year
(Plus Half Fridays)
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Competitive Compensation
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Housing Stipends
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Student Loan Help
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Real Time Off
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Professional Growth
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Benefits
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Mentorship
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Relocation Assistance
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Guaranteed Work
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Work-Life Balance
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Lifestyle Location
Why Northwest Florida?
Cost of Living
The Beaches
Quality of Life
Less Traffic
Bottom line: Panama City Beach, Fort Walton, and Pensacola offer a lifestyle that's impossible in major Florida cities on a lawyer's salary. World's most beautiful beaches, accessible airport… You want proof? Come visit. We'll show you.