The State of the Attorney Job Market in Michigan

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

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.

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