Build Custom WordPress Theme in 5 Days — AI-Assisted Developer With Strong Design Eye Wanted

I am looking for a WordPress developer/designer to build a custom WordPress theme/template system for a criminal defense law firm website. **Deadline: 5 days.** Please do not apply unless you can realistically complete the theme/template build within 5 days. I already have the completed homepage design. The rest of the WordPress template system should be based on and visually consistent with this completed homepage: https://codepen.io/firmflip/pen/GgrqpyE That homepage design should be incorporated into the WordPress theme as the homepage template, and all other templates should use the same design system, typography, colors, spacing, header, footer, buttons, mobile behavior, and overall premium/conversion-focused style. I want someone who can use AI tools to do the heavy lifting efficiently, but who also has a genuinely strong eye for design, spacing, UX, conversion, mobile layout, typography, and polish. This is not a generic WordPress install. I need a clean, custom WordPress theme/template system that supports multiple page templates and content types for an attorney website. This is important: I do **not** want someone who blindly copies AI output or dumps generic template code into WordPress. I want someone who can use AI well, then refine the result into a clean, professional, high-converting website that feels custom and premium. **Important: no plugin-dependent build** Do **not** build this around ACF, Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, CPT UI, Pods, Toolset, or other plugin-dependent systems. I want this built as a clean WordPress theme using normal WordPress functionality, theme files, template parts, Gutenberg/block editor compatibility, and custom post types/taxonomies registered directly in the theme code where appropriate. Plugins may be used only where truly necessary for ordinary site functions, such as contact forms, SEO, security, caching, or payments. The core template system should not depend on third-party layout/custom-field plugins. **Critical editing requirement — read carefully** Everything must be easy to update inside the normal WordPress editing page. I do **not** want the site to rely on custom fields for ordinary page content. Page text, headings, sections, buttons, cards, FAQs, images, videos, and normal content areas should be editable directly in the regular WordPress page/post editor. Custom fields should not be used as the primary editing method. If a custom post type is needed, it should be registered directly in the theme code, and the content should still be editable as normally as possible through the WordPress editor. If the finished work requires me to hunt through ACF fields, plugin panels, or custom field boxes to edit normal page content, the work will be rejected. **Required page templates** 1. Homepage — based on and incorporating this completed CodePen: https://codepen.io/firmflip/pen/GgrqpyE 2. Default Page Template 3. Practice Areas Page 4. Single Practice Area Page 5. Attorney Bio Page 6. Pricing / Fees Page 7. Contact Page 8. Locations Page 9. Single Local Page 10. Books / Guides Page 11. Single Book Download Page 12. Blog Page / Archives 13. Single Blog Post 14. Podcast Page / Archive 15. Single Podcast Page 16. Videos Page / Library 17. Single Video Page 18. Payments Page 19. Reviews Page 20. Case Evaluation Page 21. Co-Counsel / Referral Page 22. About the Firm Page 23. Criminal Defense Process Page 24. FAQ Page 25. Case Results Page 26. Single Case Result Page 27. Resources Page 28. Thank You Page 29. Search Results Page 30. 404 Page **Custom post types likely needed** These should be registered directly in the theme code, not through a plugin: * Practice Areas * Locations * Books / Guides * Podcast Episodes * Videos * Case Results * Reviews / Testimonials, if recommended The goal is that I can add new practice areas, locations, books, videos, podcast episodes, case results, and reviews without touching code, while still avoiding a plugin-dependent build. **Important requirements** * Completed within 5 days * Incorporate the completed homepage from CodePen as the homepage template * Use the CodePen homepage as the design foundation for the rest of the templates * Use AI efficiently to speed up the build, but manually review and polish the output * Strong design judgment required * Fully responsive/mobile-first * Clean, modern, premium attorney/law firm design * Fast page speed * SEO-friendly structure * Easy editing in the normal WordPress editor * No reliance on ACF, Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, CPT UI, Pods, Toolset, or similar systems * Custom post types registered directly in the theme where appropriate * Reusable template parts/components * Sticky/mobile-friendly header * Strong calls to action throughout * Contact/case evaluation forms integrated or ready to connect * Clean archive pages for blog, podcasts, videos, books, practice areas, locations, and case results * Ability to add new locations, practice areas, videos, podcast episodes, books, case results, and reviews without touching code * Minimal plugin bloat * Clear documentation on how to use the templates **Deliverables** * Custom WordPress theme or child theme * Homepage template incorporating the completed CodePen design * All page templates listed above * Custom post types/taxonomies registered directly in the theme where appropriate * Reusable template parts/components * Responsive header/footer/navigation * Basic sample content for each template * Installation instructions * Short documentation explaining how to add/edit each content type * Confirmation that normal page content is editable in the regular WordPress editor * Confirmation that the build does not depend on ACF, Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, CPT UI, Pods, Toolset, or similar plugins **Potential follow-on work** After the theme/template system is built, I will likely hire the same developer to help populate the site with content. This could include creating and formatting many practice area pages, city/location pages, blog posts, book download pages, videos, podcast pages, FAQs, and other resources using the templates. So I would prefer someone who is also comfortable taking content and laying it out cleanly inside WordPress. The initial job is the template/theme build, but there is a strong chance of additional paid work if the build is done well. **What I will provide** * Completed homepage CodePen: https://codepen.io/firmflip/pen/GgrqpyE * Current HTML/CSS design direction * Existing template starter files * List of required templates * Branding direction * Example copy/content structure * Feedback during development **Ideal developer** You should be comfortable using AI coding tools, but you must also be a real WordPress developer with strong design taste. I care about spacing, typography, mobile flow, conversion, and whether the site feels premium. This should not look like a generic law firm template. Please include: 1. Confirmation that you can complete this within 5 days 2. Examples of similar WordPress theme/template builds 3. Examples showing your design eye, not just development ability 4. Your recommended approach 5. How you would structure this without ACF, Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, CPT UI, Pods, Toolset, or similar plugins 6. How you will keep ordinary page content editable in the normal WordPress editor 7. How you would incorporate the completed CodePen homepage into the theme 8. Whether you are also interested in follow-on work populating the site with content 9. Fixed-price quote or hourly estimate 10. Any questions you have before starting To confirm you read this, please include this sentence in your reply: “I understand this must be completed within 5 days, must incorporate the CodePen homepage, must not rely on ACF/Elementor/Divi/CPT UI/Pods/Toolset, and normal page content must be editable in the regular WordPress editor.” I am looking for someone who can build this cleanly and correctly, using AI intelligently, while still delivering a polished, conversion-focused, professional WordPress site.