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Defense Attorney Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Jobot

Employment Defense Attorney

Troy, MI

$110K - $150K/yr

Why join us? ----- As a Labor & Employment Lawyer / Employer Defense Attorney in our firm, we are able to offer: * A competitive base salary between $110k and $150k, depending on experience!

LHH US

Insurance Defense Attorney

Troy, MI

$150K - $200K/yr

This full time position is ideal for an attorney who enjoys managing litigation matters, developing defense strategies, and representing clients in a variety of insurance related disputes. The role ...

LHH US

Insurance Defense Attorney

Troy, MI

$150K - $200K/yr

This full time position is ideal for an attorney who enjoys managing litigation matters, developing defense strategies, and representing clients in a variety of insurance related disputes. The role ...

Law Firm

Attorney - Insurance Defense

Troy, MI · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Established and growing law firm located in Troy seeks an insurance defense attorney to join our team. Key Responsibilities: * Handle all aspects of Michigan No-Fault and insurance defense litigation ...

CURE Auto Insurance

BI Defense Attorney

Southfield, MI · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

Bodily Injury Defense Attorney (Internal Claims Counsel - Litigation) CURE Auto Insurance is a leading direct writer of auto insurance in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. CURE offers a great ...

Progressive

Insurance Defense Attorney

Sterling Heights, MI · Hybrid

$145K - $161K/yr

As an insurance defense attorney within our No-Fault litigation team, you'll be a part of our motor vehicle insurance defense litigation team, providing legal representation to Progressive insureds ...

K2 Ascend

Aerospace and Defense Attorney

Detroit, MI

Aerospace & Defense Attorney Location: Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids, or Washington, D.C. Type: Full-Time, Hybrid Compensation: Flexible depending on experience, practice focus, and ...

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Defense Attorney information

See Michigan salary details

$30.1K

$95K

$152.5K

How much do defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense attorney in Michigan is $95,025.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,800.00 and $111,600.00 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 are the most commonly searched types of Defense Attorney jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Defense Attorney jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Defense Attorney jobs in Michigan?

For Defense Attorney jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Defense Attorney jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Defense Attorney jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Defense Attorney jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Defense Attorney job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Defense Attorney jobs in MI?

For Defense Attorney jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Defense Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Attorney job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,025 per year, or $45.7 per hour.

Employment Defense Attorney

Jobot

Troy, MI

$110K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Employment Law Attorney / Employment Litigation Attorney Needed for Established Law Firm!
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Reed Kellick
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button and sending us your resume.
Salary: $110,000 - $150,000 per year
A bit about us:
---------
Based in Troy, MI, we are an established law firm that has been in business for decades. We are on the lookout for a talented Employment Defense Lawyer / Labor and Employment Attorney!
Why join us?
---------
As a Labor & Employment Lawyer / Employer Defense Attorney in our firm, we are able to offer:
  • A competitive base salary between $110k and $150k, depending on experience!
  • Attractive bonus structure!
  • 401k!
  • Medical, dental and vision coverage!
  • PTO/vacation!

Job Details
---------
As an Employer Defense Lawyer / Associate Attorney on our team, we are looking for:
  • Willingness to work onsite in our Troy, MI office
  • JD from an accredited law school
  • License to practice law in MI
  • 3+ years of experience in litigation and employment law.
  • Specific experience including assisting in defending employment litigation cases, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour class actions.

Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button.
Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.
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About Jobot

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Jobot is a revolutionary Recruiting Rirm that combines the latest in AI technology with our custom software, Jax, and partners it with Jobot Pros experienced recruiters to fill jobs and provide incredible service to our clients and candidates in the process. We are disrupting the Recruiting space and have grown from 0 to over 750 folks in 5 years. Jobot is committed to workplace flexibility. Come join us at the beautiful Jobot House in Newport Beach, CA or work from anywhere in the United States with strong WiFi. We have recruiters in New York, Hawaii and all over the US. We typically fly top performers to California a few times a year to enjoy the weather and celebrate in style.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2018

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