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 Technology & Software, Science & Research, and E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces, with employers like Amazon, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Lennar hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 29+ Entry Level Legal Counsel jobs
Description
LAW DEPARTMENT
State Law Misdemeanor Enforcement
Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employees, in their official capacity.
The Department has numerous attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel to clients.
This position involves prosecuting State Law Misdemeanors, pursuant to an MOU with The Wayne County Prosecutors office, in one of two State Law Misdemeanor courtrooms at 36th District Court.
Examples of Duties
- Appear at Pre-Trial, Trials, Motions and Sentences.
- Keep track of outcomes of cases.
- Work with Victims Witness Unit and Prosecutors.
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association-approved institution.
- Trial experience preferred.
- One year of experience in the practice of law including experience in the trial and argument of cases before courts or quasi-judicial bodies.
- Experience in criminal law preferred.
LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- License to practice law in the State of Michigan.
EQUIVALENCY
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Supplemental Information
Please attach a cover letter, resume with references, and a writing sample.
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 points
LRD: 08/26/22
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Excellent interpersonal skills; good writing skills in providing written legal analyses and advice to clients.
- Able to multi-task and prioritize and commit to a participative/team-oriented practice environment.
- The techniques of legal research, particularly as applied to municipal corporation law.
- Court procedures and legal principles and their application.
- Adjudication principles and practices.
- Case management systems, especially prosecution by Karpel (PBK), the system utilized by the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.
- Legal research.
- Developing legal arguments and applying legal principles to legal problems.
- Developing legal arguments and applying legal principles to legal problems.
- Effective problem-solving techniques.
- Oral and written communication.
ABILITY TO:
- Analyze and appraise facts, evidence, and precedence.
- Present statements of facts, law, and arguments clearly and logically.
- Problem solves and displays resourcefulness and initiative in handling legal matters.
- Interact effectively with outside agencies and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.
- Display judicial temperament and poise.
Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.
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.
Description
LAW DEPARTMENT
State Law Misdemeanor Enforcement
Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employees, in their official capacity.
The Department has numerous attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel to clients.
This position involves prosecuting State Law Misdemeanors, pursuant to an MOU with The Wayne County Prosecutors office, in one of two State Law Misdemeanor courtrooms at 36th District Court.
Examples of Duties
- Appear at Pre-Trial, Trials, Motions and Sentences.
- Keep track of outcomes of cases.
- Work with Victims Witness Unit and Prosecutors.
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association-approved institution.
- Trial experience preferred.
- One year of experience in the practice of law including experience in the trial and argument of cases before courts or quasi-judicial bodies.
- Experience in criminal law preferred.
LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- License to practice law in the State of Michigan.
EQUIVALENCY
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Supplemental Information
Please attach a cover letter, resume with references, and a writing sample.
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 points
LRD: 08/26/22
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Excellent interpersonal skills; good writing skills in providing written legal analyses and advice to clients.
- Able to multi-task and prioritize and commit to a participative/team-oriented practice environment.
- The techniques of legal research, particularly as applied to municipal corporation law.
- Court procedures and legal principles and their application.
- Adjudication principles and practices.
- Case management systems, especially prosecution by Karpel (PBK), the system utilized by the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.
- Legal research.
- Developing legal arguments and applying legal principles to legal problems.
- Developing legal arguments and applying legal principles to legal problems.
- Effective problem-solving techniques.
- Oral and written communication.
ABILITY TO:
- Analyze and appraise facts, evidence, and precedence.
- Present statements of facts, law, and arguments clearly and logically.
- Problem solves and displays resourcefulness and initiative in handling legal matters.
- Interact effectively with outside agencies and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.
- Display judicial temperament and poise.
Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.
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 29 Entry Level Legal Counsel Jobs
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Find JobsEntry Level Legal Counsel Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Amazon3
- Thermo Fisher Scientific3
- Lennar2
- UVEye1
- GitLab1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software5
- Science & Research4
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces4
- Consulting & Professional Services4
- Retail3
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 Amazon, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Lennar, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 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 31% of entry level legal counsel openings are remote or hybrid as of July 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 Technology & Software, Science & Research, and E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 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.