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Defense Attorney Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Progressive

Insurance Defense Attorney

Saint Paul, MN · Hybrid

$97K - $108K/yr

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

Progressive

Insurance Defense Attorney

Minneapolis, MN · Hybrid

$97K - $108K/yr

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

SMITH PAULSON ODONNELL & ERICKSON P

Be Seen First

Associate Attorney

Monticello, MN · Hybrid

Areas of practice may include criminal defense, family, civil or worker's compensation. This ... Attorney: 2 years (Preferred) License/Certification: * MN Attorney ID Number (Required) Ability to ...

SMITH PAULSON ODONNELL & ERICKSON P

Be Seen First

Associate Attorney

Monticello, MN · Hybrid

Areas of practice may include criminal defense, family, civil or worker's compensation. This ... Attorney: 2 years (Preferred) License/Certification: * MN Attorney ID Number (Required) Ability to ...

Justice North

Staff Attorney

Duluth, MN · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

... eviction defense, consumer law, public benefits, elder law, and other civil legal issues consistent with Justice North's priorities. Staff Attorneys represent clients in district court ...

Justice North

Staff Attorney

Duluth, MN · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

... eviction defense, consumer law, public benefits, elder law, and other civil legal issues consistent with Justice North's priorities. Staff Attorneys represent clients in district court ...

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Defense Attorney information

See Minnesota salary details

$33.8K

$106.8K

$171.4K

How much do defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense attorney in Minnesota is $106,779.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,200.00 and $125,400.00 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 popular job titles related to Defense Attorney jobs in Minnesota? For Defense Attorney jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Defense Attorney jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Defense Attorney jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Defense Attorney jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Defense Attorney job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Defense Attorney jobs in MN? For Defense Attorney jobs in MN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Defense Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Attorney job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,779 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Insurance Defense Attorney

Progressive

Saint Paul, MN • Hybrid

$97K - $108K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Progressive Insurance rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 595 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 303 rated insurance

Job description

Progressive is dedicated to helping employees move forward and live fully in their careers. Your journey has already begun. Apply today and take the first step to Destination: Progress. 
 
As an insurance defense attorney within our Bodily Injury/No-Fault litigation team, you’ll be a part of our motor vehicle insurance defense litigation team, providing legal representation to Progressive insureds and/or to the Progressive Insurance Companies before courts and arbitration panels in all aspects of litigation. Handling cases from beginning to end, you’ll also prepare legal pleadings, motions, statements, trial briefs and be involved in negotiating settlements. Additionally, you’ll work closely with clients and claims partners to prepare timely reports on litigation, ensuring all appropriate defenses are leveraged to reach positive outcomes. Other tasks will include analyzing written discovery, depositions, medical records and assessing the value of claims to determine risk exposure.
 
This is a hybrid position with occasional travel to an office for meetings and/or training. Preference for candidates licensed in Wisconsin in addition to Minnesota. 

Must-have qualifications 
  • Juris doctor degree or Master of Laws (LLM)
  • Admitted to practice law in the state of Minnesota
Compensation  
  • Attorney I: $97,650 - $108,500/year
  • Gainshare annual cash incentive payment up to 30% of your eligible earnings based on company performance
 Benefits  
  • 401(k) with dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6%
  • Medical, dental & vision, including free preventative care
  • Wellness & mental health programs
  • Health care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, & life insurance
  • Paid time off, including volunteer time off 
  • Paid & unpaid sick leave where applicable, as well as short & long-term disability
  • Parental & family leave; military leave & pay
  • Diverse, inclusive & welcoming culture with Employee Resource Groups
  • Career development & tuition assistance
Energage recognizes Progressive as a 2025 Top Workplace for: Innovation, Purposes & Values, Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, and Leadership. 
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
 
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without the need or potential need, of current or future sponsorship for employment. Progressive does not hire candidates with (e.g., F-1 CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT, H-1B, O-1, E-3, TN) statuses for this role.
 
For ideas about how you might be able to protect yourself from job scams, visit our scam-awareness page at https://www.progressive.com/careers/how-we-hire/faq/job-scams/ 

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