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Insurance Defense Attorney Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Orion Placement

Criminal Defense Attorney

Chantilly, VA

$120K - $155K/yr

Additional benefits include 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance for employee ... Step into a true courtroom role with immediate ownership of serious criminal defense cases. * Join ...

Orion Placement

Criminal Defense Attorney

Chantilly, VA

$120K - $155K/yr

Additional benefits include 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance for employee ... Step into a true courtroom role with immediate ownership of serious criminal defense cases. * Join ...

Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP

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Associate Attorney - Litigation

Arlington, VA · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP , an AV-rated Maryland based litigation law firm focusing on insurance defense and plaintiff personal injury in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, seeks an associate attorney ...

Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP

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Associate Attorney - Litigation

Arlington, VA · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Hartel, DeSantis & Murray, LLP , an AV-rated Maryland based litigation law firm focusing on insurance defense and plaintiff personal injury in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, seeks an associate attorney ...

Miller & Webb, LLP

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Attorney

Roanoke, VA · On-site

Miller & Webb, LLP, a small AV rated firm, is growing and seeking an experienced Attorney with work available in the practice areas of Traffic, Criminal Defense, Workers' Compensation and Insurance ...

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All JobsInsurance Defense Attorney JobsInsurance Defense Attorney Jobs in Virginia

Insurance Defense Attorney information

See Virginia salary details

$71.4K

$135.2K

$202.7K

How much do insurance defense attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for insurance defense attorney in Virginia is $135,159.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $154,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Insurance Defense Attorney Do?

As an insurance defense attorney, your responsibilities are to provide civil litigation and insurance defense for a client or company. To accomplish this work as a lawyer, you analyze complex factual and legal issues, conduct research, create pleadings, and work on written discovery and depositions. You also provide timely communication to clients, courts, and other relevant parties, as well as help your client sue for breach of contract and provide other types of legal protection. You frequently communicate with courts, opposing counsel, co-counsel, and witnesses, and may prepare and present these witnesses at trials, hearings, arbitrations, and other types of dispute resolution.

What is an Insurance Defense Attorney?

An Insurance Defense Attorney is a lawyer who represents insurance companies and their policyholders in legal disputes, typically involving claims of liability or damages. Their primary role is to defend clients against lawsuits and help resolve claims efficiently, either through negotiation, settlement, or litigation. They often handle cases related to personal injury, property damage, professional liability, and other insurance-related matters. These attorneys analyze claims, develop legal strategies, and protect the interests of their clients throughout the legal process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Insurance Defense Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Insurance Defense Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, strong litigation skills, and in-depth knowledge of insurance law. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, case management software, and e-discovery tools is essential. Excellent negotiation, analytical thinking, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for effectively advocating for clients, managing complex caseloads, and achieving successful outcomes in insurance-related disputes.

What is the difference between Insurance Defense Attorney vs Claims Adjuster?

AspectInsurance Defense AttorneyClaims Adjuster
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar LicenseHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles require a bachelor's degree
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, insurance companies, government agenciesInsurance companies, third-party administrator offices
Industry UsageLegal representation, litigation, legal adviceClaims processing, investigation, settlement
Common Search/ComparisonLegal expertise, courtroom workClaims handling, settlement negotiation

Insurance Defense Attorneys primarily provide legal representation and advice in insurance disputes and litigation, requiring a law degree and license. Claims Adjusters focus on investigating and settling claims, often with a high school diploma or degree. While both roles work within the insurance industry, attorneys handle legal proceedings, whereas adjusters manage claims processing and negotiations.

What are some common challenges faced by Insurance Defense Attorneys in managing their caseloads?

Insurance Defense Attorneys often juggle a high volume of cases simultaneously, each with its own deadlines, discovery requirements, and client communications. Managing competing priorities and staying organized is essential to ensure timely filings and effective representation. Attorneys in this field must also adapt to changing case strategies, evolving legal precedents, and frequent negotiations with opposing counsel, making time management and clear communication critical skills.
More about Insurance Defense Attorney jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in Virginia? For Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Insurance Defense Attorney jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Insurance Defense Attorney job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in VA? For Insurance Defense Attorney jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Insurance Defense Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Insurance Defense Attorney job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,159 per year, or $65 per hour.
Insurance Defense Attorney - Bodily Injury

Insurance Defense Attorney - Bodily Injury

Progressive

Henrico, VA • Hybrid

$133K - $146K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Progressive Insurance rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 580 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

63rd of 261 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 (BI) unit, 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. Candidates must live within driving distance of the office they support.   

Must-have qualifications 
  • Juris doctor degree or Master of Laws (LLM)
  • Admitted to practice law in the state of Virginia
Compensation  
  • Attorney I: $97,735 - $108,500/year
  • Attorney II: $133,679 - $146,900/year
  • Gainshare annual cash incentive payment up to 30% or 40% 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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