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Defense Attorney Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Commercial Litigation Attorney

Cincinnati, OH

$120K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Salary: $120,000 - $160,000 per year A bit about us: ----- Our growing litigation practice is seeking an experienced Commercial Litigation Defense Attorney to join our Cincinnati office. This is an ...

Law Attorney- Defense

Wooster, OH · On-site

$100 - $135/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Law Attorney - Defense $100000 - $135000 per year | Wooster, OH | On-Site | Permanent About us This is a well-established full-service law firm rooted in Northeast Ohio with a long history of ...

Associate Attorney

Cleveland, OH

$130K - $160K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Step into a high-caliber civil defense practice and immediately handle meaningful, complex matters ... Work alongside some of Ohio's most respected civil defense attorneys in a collegial, team-oriented ...

Associate Attorney

Columbus, OH

$130K - $160K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Step into a high-caliber civil defense practice and immediately handle meaningful, complex matters ... Work alongside some of Ohio's most respected civil defense attorneys in a collegial, team-oriented ...

Law Attorney- Defense

Wooster, OH

$100K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The firm's attorneys offer expertise across more than 50 legal practice areas, including corporate and business law, estate planning and probate, employment and labor, real estate, litigation, and ...

Attorney

Cincinnati, OH · On-site +1

$120K/yr

Litigation Attorney (4-8 Years) -- Path to Partnership An established and growing full-service law ... Criminal Defense & Traffic Matters * Estate Planning & Probate * Debtor Bankruptcy * Personal ...

Civil Litigation Associate Attorney

Cleveland, OH · Hybrid

$100K - $165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The Cleveland, OH office of Lewis Brisbois, a full-service Am Law 100 firm, is seeking an attorney to join our growing civil defense litigation team. The ideal candidate will have between two (2) and ...

Civil Litigation Attorney

Toledo, OH · Hybrid

$95K - $145K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Gain exposure to complex litigation, insurance defense matters, negotiations, and trial work ... Our attorneys are committed to achieving outstanding results while maintaining a collaborative ...

Civil Litigation Associate Attorney

Cleveland, OH · Hybrid

$150K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Overview The Cleveland, OH office of Lewis Brisbois, a full-service Am Law 100 firm, is seeking an attorney to join our growing civil defense litigation team. The ideal candidate will have between ...

Civil Litigation Associate Attorney

Cleveland, OH · Hybrid

$165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Overview The Cleveland, OH office of Lewis Brisbois, a full-service Am Law 100 firm, is seeking an attorney to join our growing civil defense litigation team. The ideal candidate will have between ...

Showing results 21-40

Defense Attorney information

See Ohio salary details

$32.8K

$103.6K

$166.4K

How much do defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense attorney in Ohio is $103,648.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,700.00 and $121,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

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 specialization, with job growth often aligned with overall trends in the legal industry.

How much do most defense attorneys make?

Most defense attorneys earn a median annual salary of around $63,000, with experienced professionals in private practice earning significantly more, often exceeding $100,000. Salaries vary based on location, experience, and whether they work in public or private sectors, and many defense attorneys also handle complex cases that can impact earnings.

What cities in Ohio are hiring for Defense Attorney jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most Defense Attorney job openings:

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

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

Infographic showing various Defense Attorney job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,648 per year, or $49.8 per hour.

Commercial Litigation Attorney

Jobot

Cincinnati, OH

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Real Litigation - Take Depositions, Motions, Courtroom Experience
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Jeff Diepenbrock
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button and sending us your resume.
Salary: $120,000 - $160,000 per year
A bit about us:
---------
Our growing litigation practice is seeking an experienced Commercial Litigation Defense Attorney to join our Cincinnati office. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated attorney who enjoys handling sophisticated business disputes, partnering directly with clients, and taking ownership of cases from inception through resolution.
The ideal candidate is a strategic litigator with strong analytical skills, excellent writing ability, and experience representing businesses in complex commercial disputes.
Why join us?
---------
Competitive compensation based on experience
Performance-based bonus opportunities
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with employer contribution
Generous paid time off and firm holidays
Continuing legal education and professional development support
Hybrid work flexibility
Partnership track for qualified candidates
Collaborative, collegial work environment with sophisticated litigation matters
Job Details
---------
Manage a diverse commercial litigation caseload from pre-suit through trial and appeal, as appropriate.
Develop litigation strategy and advise clients on risk assessment and case resolution.
Draft pleadings, motions, dispositive motions, briefs, and discovery.
Conduct depositions, attend hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and settlement conferences.
Prepare witnesses and experts for deposition and trial.
Handle all aspects of written discovery, including drafting and responding to interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
Collaborate with partners and clients to develop practical, business-focused legal solutions.
Maintain strong client relationships through proactive communication and exceptional service.
Mentor junior attorneys when appropriate.
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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By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Jobot, and/or its agents and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy here: jobot.com/privacy-policy #legal #litigation #insurance #defense #tier2

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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