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Associate Defense Attorney Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Insurance Defense Attorney

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

... and talented attorneys to join its national and international insurance defense practice. The ... The role provides associates with an exciting opportunity to work on a team that serves as National ...

New

Associate Attorney

Merrillville, IN ยท On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Workers' Compensation Defense Attorney will play a crucial role in managing, leading, and expanding our firm's workers' compensation defense practice. This Attorney would begin work with an ...

Associate Attorney

Merrillville, IN ยท On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Workers' Compensation Defense Attorney will play a crucial role in managing, leading, and expanding our firm's workers' compensation defense practice. This Attorney would begin work with an ...

Associate Attorney

Merrillville, IN ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Workers' Compensation Defense Attorney will play a crucial role in managing, leading, and expanding our firm's workers' compensation defense practice. This Attorney would begin work with an ...

General Liability Defense Attorney

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$95K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Established Mid-Sized Loop Law Firm seeks a motivated Attorney to join our General Liability practice area. * The candidate must have 5+ years of experience in Illinois insurance defense. * We will ...

Associate Criminal Defense Attorney Location: Northern/Central Indiana | Start Date: Immediate Experience: Newly Licensed and Experienced Attorneys Welcome What We're Looking For: We're hiring ...

Associate Attorney

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

We are seeking a motivated Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney to join our growing litigation team. In this role, you will represent healthcare providers, hospitals, and medical professionals in ...

Attorney of Counsel

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Oversight of junior associates on the assigned files; * Actively own in the defense and prosecution ... The firm has recruited and trained highly qualified, dedicated, and energetic attorneys and staff.

Products Liability Defense Attorney | Associate Level This Jobot Job is hosted by: Trey Mattson Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button and sending us your resume. Salary ...

Associate Attorney - Civil Defense

Chicago, IL ยท On-site +1

$105K - $220K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Associate Attorney with a strong interest and background in Civil Defense Litigation. This is a permanent position that provides an excellent opportunity ...

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Associate Defense Attorney information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$47.4K

$111.4K

$177.7K

How much do associate defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate defense attorney in Chicago, IL is $111,420.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $133,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate defense attorney during their initial years, and how can they be addressed?

Associate Defense Attorneys often encounter challenges such as managing a high caseload, learning to navigate court procedures, and balancing client expectations with legal realities. In the early years, it can be difficult to build confidence in the courtroom and develop effective negotiation skills. These challenges are best addressed by seeking mentorship from senior attorneys, actively participating in case strategy discussions, and dedicating time to stay updated on legal precedents and local court rules. Strong organizational skills and open communication with team members also help in managing workload and client relationships effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate defense attorney?

To thrive as an Associate Defense Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, strong legal research, and case analysis skills. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as courtroom and case management software, is typically required. Outstanding written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and negotiation skills help you build strong client relationships and advocate effectively. These skills ensure accurate representation, effective case strategy, and successful outcomes for clients in complex legal environments.

What is an associate defense attorney?

Associate Defense Attorneys are licensed lawyers who work under the supervision of more senior attorneys within a law firm or public defender's office. They focus on defending clients accused of crimes by conducting legal research, drafting motions, attending court hearings, and assisting in trial preparation. Associates are typically early in their legal careers and gain practical experience by working closely with experienced defense attorneys on a variety of criminal cases.

What is the difference between Associate Defense Attorney vs Public Defender?

AspectAssociate Defense AttorneyPublic Defender
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), license to practice lawJuris Doctor (JD), license to practice law
Work EnvironmentPrivate law firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesPublic defender offices, government-funded legal services
Employer & IndustryLaw firms, government agencies, corporationsGovernment-funded public defense offices
Common Search/ComparisonAssociate Defense Attorney vs Public Defender

Both Associate Defense Attorneys and Public Defenders hold a Juris Doctor degree and are licensed to practice law. While Associate Defense Attorneys often work in private firms or corporate settings, Public Defenders are employed by government agencies to provide legal defense for indigent clients. The primary difference lies in their employment environment and client base, with Public Defenders focusing on public service and indigent defense, whereas Associate Defense Attorneys may handle a broader range of clients in various legal settings.

What are popular job titles related to Associate Defense Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Associate Defense Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Defense Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Defense Attorney jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Associate Defense Attorney job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,420 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

Insurance Defense Attorney

Kennedys

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Kennedys, a Legal 500 and Chambers-ranked global firm serving insurers and the London market, is seeking dynamic and talented attorneys to join its national and international insurance defense practice. The position is based in Chicago, but our culture fosters global collaboration daily.
Candidates should have a strong litigation background, ideally 1 to 5 years experience in asbestos defense litigation throughout Illinois, including proposing litigation strategy; communicating with clients and opposing counsel; drafting reports, pleadings, discovery, and motions; taking and defending depositions; arguing motions; and participating in mediations. The role provides associates with an exciting opportunity to work on a team that serves as National Coordinating Counsel for multiple companies.
We want to help you build a career here, and provide significant business development training, dedicated associate and partner mentors, and a firm-wide associate committee to liaise with the partners. We want you to be the future of Kennedys.
Candidates must be admitted and good standing in Illinois. Additional admissions in other states a plus.
Competitive salary, annual performance-based raises, discretionary bonus and benefits package offered. 1920 hour requirement. Will consider hybrid work arrangements.
Attorney compensation ranges from $125,000 to $160,000 annually. Salary is contingent upon level of experience, practice group, location and other job-related factors permitted by law.
About Kennedys
Kennedys is a global law firm with expertise in dispute resolution and advisory services. With over 2,750 people worldwide across 48 offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and America we have some of the most respected legal minds in their field.
Our lawyers handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, and provide a range of specialist legal services, for many industry sectors but we have particular expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, especially in defending insurance and liability claims.
We're a fresh-thinking firm, and we're not afraid to bring challenging new perspectives to the table way beyond the traditional realm of legal services. We empower our clients with a diverse range of ideas, tools and technology to make their lives easier, as well as delivering exceptional results, every time.
What do we have to offer?
We welcome high-performing lawyers, business services professionals, secretaries, graduates and apprentices to join our rapidly expanding global firm. Whatever your role at Kennedys, you'll be involved in exciting and stimulating work, where your input will make a difference.
Our culture and values form a big part of who we are and we take them seriously. We make a difference by being approachable, straightforward, supportive and distinctive. Our values are at the core of who we are and what make us a great firm to work with and for.
The Firm recognises the value of investing in our people's development and believes our culture and values contribute to the quality of our work and of our client relationships. With a culture of on-the-job and experiential learning, peer to peer learning, mentoring, resources and tools that enable you to drive your career, we can support your development in your current and future roles. A variety of other opportunities are available including secondments to clients and our global offices.
We strive to celebrate diversity, empower our people and ensure everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. We've created a culture based on client service, professional excellence, hard work and trust, where diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) is a key priority. We recognise that many of our people want to work for an employer that is aligned to their values, which is why we are building an inclusive culture, decarbonising our operations and supporting our people to thrive at work. Our people are the key to driving this change and helping us to make a difference to our clients, our people and the communities in which we live and work.
Kennedys is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. We expect all employees to be aware of and comply with all relevant policies and procedures within their jurisdiction, including those relating to Information Security, Data Protection and Quality Management, refer any breach promptly to Risk & Compliance and to complete all mandatory training when requested.