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Defense Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Defense Attorney

Saint Petersburg, FL · On-site

$120 - $220/hr

Defense Attorney $120000 - $220000 per year | St. Petersburg, FL | On-Site | Permanent A bit about us: Florida based corporate and insurance defense litigation firm committed to defending business ...

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Criminal Defense Attorney

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $250K/yr

Associate Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney Location: Sherman Oaks Compensation: Base+ $100,000 or more (DOE) Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision/401k/PTO Requirements: * Juris Doctor (JD) and licensed ...

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Defense Attorney information

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$34.5K

$109K

$175K

How much do defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense attorney in the United States is $109,024.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,000.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do defense attorneys make?

Defense attorneys' salaries vary based on experience, location, and whether they work in private practice or for the government. On average, they earn between $60,000 and $130,000 annually, with experienced attorneys and those in large firms or urban areas earning higher wages. Many defense attorneys also handle complex cases that require strong negotiation and courtroom skills.

What are some common challenges defense attorneys face during case preparation, and how can they be addressed?

Defense attorneys often encounter challenges such as limited access to evidence, tight deadlines, and managing high caseloads. Effective case preparation requires thorough investigation, close communication with clients, and collaboration with investigators or expert witnesses. Staying organized, prioritizing tasks, and proactively seeking necessary information from prosecutors can help address these challenges and ensure a strong defense for clients.

What is the difference between Defense Attorney vs Public Defender?

AspectDefense AttorneyPublic Defender
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar licenseJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar license
Work EnvironmentPrivate law firms, solo practices, or corporate settingsGovernment offices, public defender's offices
Employer & IndustryPrivate clients, law firms, corporationsGovernment-funded legal aid services
Common Search IntentLegal defense for clients in criminal casesLegal defense for indigent clients in criminal cases

Both Defense Attorneys and Public Defenders are licensed lawyers specializing in criminal defense. The main difference lies in their employment: Defense Attorneys typically work in private practice or firms, representing clients who can pay for legal services. Public Defenders work for government agencies, providing free legal defense to those who cannot afford it. While their roles are similar, their work environments and client bases differ significantly.

What is the most a defense attorney can make?

The salary of a defense attorney varies widely based on experience, location, and whether they work in private practice or for the government. Experienced defense attorneys in private practice can earn over $200,000 annually, while those in public defense roles typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 per year. High-profile or specialized attorneys may earn even more through case success and reputation.

What does a defense attorney do?

A defense attorney is a lawyer who represents individuals or organizations accused of crimes in court. Their primary responsibility is to protect the legal rights of their clients, provide legal advice, and build a strong defense to challenge the prosecution’s case. Defense attorneys conduct investigations, negotiate plea deals, represent clients during trial, and ensure fair treatment in the legal process. They may work on criminal or civil cases and are essential to the justice system by ensuring everyone receives a fair trial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a defense attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Defense Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a solid grasp of criminal law, legal research, and case analysis. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, courtroom presentation software, and e-discovery tools is often required. Strong negotiation, analytical thinking, and persuasive communication skills are essential for building client trust and effectively advocating in court. These skills and qualifications are critical for securing favorable outcomes, upholding legal standards, and providing robust representation for clients.

What is a defense attorney?

A defense attorney represents defendants who are facing criminal charges. In this career, you may work to defend both organizations and individual clients. Your responsibilities include researching aspects of a case, inspecting evidence, preparing a defense, arguing the case in court, communicating with clients, managing paperwork and deadlines, and traveling regularly to meet clients. Your job duties also require negotiation and public speaking skills, knowledge of laws and the judicial process, and the ability to work long hours. As a defense attorney, you need exceptional communication skills, investigative abilities, and the integrity to represent clients from diverse backgrounds.

Are defense attorneys in demand?

Defense attorneys are generally in steady demand due to ongoing legal needs in criminal justice systems. Employment opportunities depend on factors such as geographic location, experience, and the ability to handle complex legal cases, with job stability often linked to court caseloads and legal reforms.
More about Defense Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Defense Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Defense Attorney job openings:
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Who are the top companies hiring for Defense Attorney jobs? The top employers for Defense Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Defense Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Defense Attorney jobs include:
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What are popular job titles related to Defense Attorney jobs? For Defense Attorney jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Defense Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Attorney job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,024 per year, or $52.4 per hour.

Defense Attorney - County of Fresno (Fresno)

SAN JOAQUIN COLLEGE OF LAW

Fresno, CA • On-site

$78.26 - $163.72/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Defense Attorney - County of Fresno (Fresno)

The Fresno County Public Defender's Office invites applications for the position of Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV, including opportunities focusing on the intersection of criminal and immigration issues as an Immigration Defense Attorney I/II/III/IV.

Samples of Duties

Defense Attorney I:

  • Receives orientation to the operations, processes and procedures of the Public Defender's Office.
  • Performs legal research and investigation in the preparation of cases for court.
  • Prepares briefs.
  • May present a full range of misdemeanor cases in court upon assignment.
  • Performs other work as required.

Defense Attorney II:

  • Acts as defense counsel in criminal cases of average difficulty.
  • Interviews and advises defendants and witnesses.
  • Studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
  • Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings and other legal proceedings.

Defense Attorney III:

  • Acts as defense counsel in major criminal cases.
  • Interviews and advises clients and witnesses.
  • Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
  • Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
  • May occasionally assign, review, and coordinate the professional legal work of lower level attorneys.

Defense Attorney IV:

  • Acts as defense counsel in complex and sensitive criminal cases.
  • Interviews and advises clients and witnesses.
  • Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
  • Prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.
  • Assigns, reviews, and coordinates the professional legal work of lower level attorneys.
  • Does advanced legal research under only policy guidance.

The Public Defender's Office is dedicated to the full and fair representation of all persons in the community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action. It is the goal of the Public Defender's Office to protect every client's constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment and disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no one who is innocent is ever wrongfully convicted. The Public Defender's Office provides all mandated legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while holding themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Salary Ranges:

  • Defense Attorney I::78,260- 99,892Annually
  • Defense Attorney II:91,338- 116,584Annually
  • DefenseAttorney III: 109,590- 139,854Annually
  • Defense Attorney IV:128,258- 163,722 Annually
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