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The State of the Attorney Job Market in Michigan

Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!

published September 29, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Michigan has suffered from significant economic slowdowns and uncertainty recently, decreasing the market for attorney jobs in that state. However, this slowdown does not mean that there are currently no opportunities. For professionals in some fields, there is still significant demand, though experienced attorneys are preferred.

Detroit and the surrounding areas are those most affected by conditions relating to problems in the auto industry, with other Michigan cities being somewhat less affected. Compensation in the Michigan area remains on par with that in most other Midwest locations, though salaries tend to be lower than those offered in very large metropolitan areas, such as Chicago.

Overview of Attorney Jobs in Michigan

As with any other job market, the market for attorneys varies by location. Different economic and social conditions will result in changes in demand for various services, and will change the ability of clients to pay for legal help. Michigan has economically suffered recently, due to the decline of the Detroit auto industry, but opportunities for attorneys remain in certain fields, and various cities have been affected differently.

While uncertainty continues in the Michigan job market generally, unemployment has been slowly decreasing, suggesting that the Midwest as a whole may be on the way out of the currently uncertain economic climate. The negative effects are felt most strongly in greater Detroit, and have been exacerbated by the auto industry's decline. In general, there is less need for attorneys now than in the past.

The Market for Attorney Jobs in and around Detroit

Despite a reduced demand for attorney services, there are still jobs available. Patent prosecutors who have two to four years of experience and a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering are in demand. There's also a need for corporate associates with three to five years of experience dealing with general corporate law, mergers, and acquisitions. Tax associates who have similar amounts of experience dealing with SALT matters may also be able to find positions.

Attorney Jobs Elsewhere in Michigan

Outside of the Detroit area, in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Troy, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo, conditions are somewhat better. Firms which have offices located outside the Detroit area are looking for attorneys with two to five years of experience. Desired areas of specialization include general corporate law and litigation. At senior associate and junior partner levels, patent prosecutors are in demand. Preferred backgrounds for these prosecutors include computer science and electrical engineering. In the field of health care regulation, senior associates and junior partners with seven years of experience or more are desirable.

Attorney Jobs in Michigan — Portable Business

Partners already practicing in Michigan who are looking for opportunities in the Detroit area or surrounding legal markets may be able to find what they're looking for, too. Ideally, these partners should have a minimum of three hundred thousand dollars of existing portable business relating to real estate acquisitions and development, corporate transactions, banking and securities, labor and employment, patent law and private equity matters. Attorneys experienced in business transactional matters internationally or across borders are also in demand.

Salaries for Michigan Attorneys
United States

As with all locations, salaries for attorney jobs in Michigan will vary by specialty, experience, and the exact position offered. However, some trends are true for the state of Michigan overall. Summer associates in the Michigan area tend to be paid around $2000 per week, with first-year associates averaging salaries of $100,000 per year. More prestigious firms may offer higher salaries to first-year attorneys, with salaries up to $120,000 per year.

Entry-level salaries for Michigan attorneys may include signing bonuses, and all associates receive benefit packages in addition to their salaries. Bar examination fees and bar review courses may also be reimbursed by the hiring firm. For exact compensation, including all benefits, it will be important to discuss matters with prospective employers.

Desirable Fields for Michigan Attorneys

Despite a somewhat depressed market for attorney jobs in Michigan, opportunities still exist in various parts of the state. Specific specialties are more in demand that others. Experienced attorneys are more likely to receive positions than newly graduated ones, and candidates with high academic achievements are favored.

<<Patent prosecutors and attorneys with patent experience, particularly those with backgrounds in computers science and engineering, are likely to find attorney jobs in Michigan. There's also a demand for lawyers familiar with corporate transactions, general corporate law, and acquisitions and mergers. Very experienced health care regulation lawyers will also be able to find attorney jobs relatively easily.

Corporate attorneys and those who practice real estate and contract law continue to be in demand in various areas of Michigan, as are attorneys for the Homeland Security offices in Detroit. Many of the firms looking to hire lawyers for positions in Michigan have offices in many other locations throughout the country, enabling them to be less affected by economic problems in the state itself. As the state recovers from these problems, the market for jobs may improve.

Conclusion

While the market for attorney jobs in Michigan is worse than it has been in previous years, experienced business attorneys, especially those who practice in real estate and patent areas, are still in demand. Compensation for beginning lawyers in Michigan is roughly equivalent to that offered elsewhere in the Midwest, though lower than compensation for many first-year Chicago attorneys.

Experienced professionals will find it easier to obtain attorney jobs in Michigan than will newly graduated lawyers, since most job listings require a minimum of two years of experience in a particular specialty. Professionals in the right fields may find that the Michigan market is still quite favorable; it may continue to improve along with economic conditions.

Apply here for legal jobs in Michigan state.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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