Entry Level Legal Counsel Jobs
New grad legal counsel jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a well-documented academic clinic record can matter more than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site roles concentrated in Construction & Real Estate, Government & Public Sector, and Retail, with employers like City of Detroit, Lennar, and GenScript hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 11+ Entry Level Legal Counsel jobs
$54,986.00 - $110,200.00 Annually
Detroit, Michigan, MI
Certified-Regular Civil Service
2026109114282726LAWJS
Law
09/02/2026
10/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
1800
Description
LAW DEPARTMENT - MUNICIPAL DIVISION
ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL
How would you like to work for a law firm that is the most diverse in the nation?
- Provides opinions and drafts legislation addressing a wide variety of complex and novel subjects including cutting edge constitutional matters
- Has some of the best lawyers in the state always available for consults
- Relaxed and collegial work environment
- Located in exciting downtown Detroit
We are looking for people who are excited to thrive in an environment of impactful change.
Examples of Duties
What You’ll Be Doing
- Preparation of ordinances and legal opinions.
- Attendance at various meetings at all levels of City government.
- Serve as counsel for various City boards and commissions including the Election Commission.
- Counsel and advise clients via email, memorandum, telephonic conference, and person – to – person meetings concerning questions of law and procedure.
- Research, review, and analyze relevant statutes, case law, and Attorney General Opinions to provide legal advice and opinions to clients.
- Maintain monthly statistics, and other administrative tasks required in maintaining weekly calendar and billing requirements, and organized files.
Minimum Qualifications
What You Should Have
- Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association.
- Must be a member of the Michigan State Bar Association.
- At least two (2) years of related experience preferred.
EQUIVALENCY
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Supplemental Information
Evaluation Plan
- Interview: 70%
- Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
- Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%
Additional points may be awarded for:
- Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
- Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point
LRD: 08/26/22
- Knowledge of the techniques of legal research, particularly as applied to municipal corporation law.
- Knowledge of the legal subjects and State and Federal statutes as are applicable to municipal corporation law.
- Knowledge of court procedures and legal principles and their application.
- Knowledge of adjudication principles and practices.
- Skill in legal research.
- Skill in developing legal arguments and applying legal principles to legal problems.
- Skill in effective problem solving techniques.
- Skill in legal writing and drafting.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Ability to analyze and appraise facts, evidence, and precedence.
- Ability to present statements of fact, law and arguments clearly and logically.
- Ability to problem solve and display resourcefulness and initiative in handling legal matters.
- Ability to interact effectively with outside agencies and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to display judicial temperament and poise.
- Work involves office and field activities and may entail out of town travel.
HEALTH
- Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
- Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.
- Sick Leave
- Vacation
- Holidays
The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
City Employees Retirement System
As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:
- Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
- At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
- At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
- In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
- An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
- Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.
ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.
Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.
$54,986.00 - $110,200.00 Annually
Detroit, Michigan, MI
Certified-Regular Civil Service
2026109114282726LAWJS
Law
09/02/2026
10/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
1800
Description
LAW DEPARTMENT - MUNICIPAL DIVISION
ASSISTANT CORPORATION COUNSEL
How would you like to work for a law firm that is the most diverse in the nation?
- Provides opinions and drafts legislation addressing a wide variety of complex and novel subjects including cutting edge constitutional matters
- Has some of the best lawyers in the state always available for consults
- Relaxed and collegial work environment
- Located in exciting downtown Detroit
We are looking for people who are excited to thrive in an environment of impactful change.
Examples of Duties
What You’ll Be Doing
- Preparation of ordinances and legal opinions.
- Attendance at various meetings at all levels of City government.
- Serve as counsel for various City boards and commissions including the Election Commission.
- Counsel and advise clients via email, memorandum, telephonic conference, and person – to – person meetings concerning questions of law and procedure.
- Research, review, and analyze relevant statutes, case law, and Attorney General Opinions to provide legal advice and opinions to clients.
- Maintain monthly statistics, and other administrative tasks required in maintaining weekly calendar and billing requirements, and organized files.
Minimum Qualifications
What You Should Have
- Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association.
- Must be a member of the Michigan State Bar Association.
- At least two (2) years of related experience preferred.
EQUIVALENCY
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Supplemental Information
Evaluation Plan
- Interview: 70%
- Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
- Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%
Additional points may be awarded for:
- Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
- Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point
LRD: 08/26/22
- Knowledge of the techniques of legal research, particularly as applied to municipal corporation law.
- Knowledge of the legal subjects and State and Federal statutes as are applicable to municipal corporation law.
- Knowledge of court procedures and legal principles and their application.
- Knowledge of adjudication principles and practices.
- Skill in legal research.
- Skill in developing legal arguments and applying legal principles to legal problems.
- Skill in effective problem solving techniques.
- Skill in legal writing and drafting.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Ability to analyze and appraise facts, evidence, and precedence.
- Ability to present statements of fact, law and arguments clearly and logically.
- Ability to problem solve and display resourcefulness and initiative in handling legal matters.
- Ability to interact effectively with outside agencies and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to display judicial temperament and poise.
- Work involves office and field activities and may entail out of town travel.
HEALTH
- Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
- Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.
- Sick Leave
- Vacation
- Holidays
The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
City Employees Retirement System
As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:
- Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
- At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
- At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
- In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
- An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
- Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.
ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.
Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.
See All 11 Entry Level Legal Counsel Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Legal Counsel Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Government & Public Sector
- Retail
- Education
- Insurance
Entry Level Legal Counsel Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level legal counsel job?
Focus on demonstrating practical legal judgment even without years of experience. Employers hiring at this level look for law degree credentials, internship or clinic experience, strong legal writing samples, and familiarity with contract review or compliance basics. Tailoring your application to show you understand the specific legal function the role covers, whether corporate, regulatory, or employment, gives you a clear edge over candidates who send generic materials.
Which companies hire entry level legal counsels?
Companies hiring entry level legal counsels right now include City of Detroit, Lennar, and GenScript, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a broad mix of employers, including corporations building out in-house legal teams, financial services firms, healthcare organizations, and technology companies that prefer developing junior counsel internally.
Are there remote entry level legal counsel jobs?
Yes, though on-site and hybrid arrangements are still common at this level. About 50% of entry level legal counsel openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting employer preferences that vary by industry and the hands-on mentorship many organizations want to provide to junior counsel starting out.
Are these new grad legal counsel jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior legal counsel roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts law school clinic work or internships toward the requirement, or explicitly invites candidates with a strong academic record rather than a long professional history. Many employers at this level expect to train and develop the right candidate.
Which industries hire the most entry level legal counsels?
Entry Level legal counsel roles concentrate in Construction & Real Estate, Government & Public Sector, and Retail, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors tend to drive entry level hiring because they face ongoing regulatory demands, contract volume, or compliance obligations that make building an in-house junior legal team a practical investment.