Civil Litigation Associate Attorney

Orion Placement; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Bar dues & CLE

Job summary

Confidential Employer in Traverse City, MI seeks an experienced civil litigation attorney to manage a diverse caseload, develop strategies, and advocate for clients at hearings, mediations, and negotiations. You will draft pleadings and other documents while maintaining direct client relationships.

Candidates must have a JD, active Michigan Bar license, and 5+ years of substantive civil litigation experience. Municipal/public-entity exposure is a plus.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active Michigan Bar license in good standing.
• 5+ years of civil litigation experience.
• Hands-on experience with discovery, depositions, motion practice, and case management.
• Ability to independently manage litigation matters and competing deadlines.
• Strong legal writing, negotiation, and client communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse caseload of civil litigation matters from initial investigation through settlement or trial.
• Develop litigation strategies, evaluate case exposure, and recommend effective solutions.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests, and other legal documents.
• Conduct and defend depositions, manage discovery, and prepare witnesses.
• Represent clients at hearings, mediations, negotiations, and court proceedings.
• Collaborate with experienced attorneys while maintaining direct client relationships.
• Handle general civil litigation, insurance defense, and potential municipal or public-sector matters.

Skills

Civil litigation

Legal writing

Negotiation

Client communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

Job description

• Take ownership of meaningful civil litigation cases with the autonomy to make a real impact.
• Join an established, respected law firm with a collaborative team and long-term career opportunities.
• Gain valuable courtroom experience while working directly with clients and experienced attorneys.
• Enjoy a formula-based bonus program with potential additional discretionary bonuses.
• Benefit from strong administrative support, professional development, and opportunities to grow your practice.

Location

Traverse City, MI — On-site. Join our team in beautiful Northern Michigan, where you'll enjoy a rewarding legal career, direct collaboration with colleagues, and an exceptional place to live and work.

Note

Candidates must have an active Michigan Bar license and 5+ years of substantive civil litigation experience. We're looking for an attorney who can independently manage cases and has litigation experience beyond exclusively PIP matters.

About Us

Confidential Employer.

We're an established, full-service law firm committed to delivering high-quality legal counsel to businesses, insurers, municipalities, and individuals. Our attorneys enjoy meaningful responsibilities, a supportive team environment, and the resources to build successful, long-term careers. We value professional excellence, collaboration, and practical solutions that make a difference for our clients.

Job Description

• Manage a diverse caseload of civil litigation matters from initial investigation through settlement or trial.
• Develop litigation strategies, evaluate case exposure, and recommend effective solutions.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests, and other legal documents.
• Conduct and defend depositions, manage discovery, and prepare witnesses.
• Represent clients at hearings, mediations, negotiations, and court proceedings.
• Collaborate with experienced attorneys while maintaining direct client relationships.
• Handle general civil litigation, insurance defense, and potential municipal or public-sector matters.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active Michigan Bar license in good standing.
• 5+ years of civil litigation experience.
• Hands-on experience with discovery, depositions, motion practice, and case management.
• Ability to independently manage litigation matters and competing deadlines.
• Strong legal writing, negotiation, and client communication skills.
• Municipal law or public-entity litigation experience is a plus, not required.
• In-house and solo practice backgrounds are welcome with relevant litigation experience.

Why You Will Love Working Here

We believe great attorneys deserve the freedom, resources, and support to do their best work. You'll enjoy professional autonomy, approachable leadership, and meaningful opportunities for advancement.

We offer a competitive base salary of $115,000 to $155,000, bonus opportunities, medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, a 401(k), and firm-paid bar dues and continuing legal education.