Description:

Criminal Defense Attorney – Be a Leader in the Fight for Justice
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Mid-Level (5-10 years of experience in criminal law)

Our Core Values at A Criminal Defense Lawyer – FASTIE
Fun
We believe work can and should be fun. We work hard, celebrate wins, and bring humor into even the toughest days. While our work is serious, we never lose sight of the importance of enjoying what we do and supporting a culture that's both productive and positive.

Accountability:
We take responsibility for our actions, our outcomes, and our impact-on each other and on our clients. When mistakes happen, we own them, learn from them, and make the necessary changes to ensure they don't happen again.

Service
We exist to serve our clients, our communities, and the greater public good-with empathy, diligence, and impact.

Teamwork
We succeed together. Every team member plays a role in our clients' outcomes, and strong collaboration ensures no one carries the load alone. Teamwork means offering help, asking for help, and working together to get the job done right.

Integrity
We do what's right, even when it's difficult, inconvenient, or comes at a personal cost-because it's the right thing to do.

Excellence
We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional legal representation. While mistakes can happen, we treat them as unacceptable, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of preparation, execution, and follow-through.

Our Culture:
A Criminal Defense Lawyer is a fast-growing criminal defense firm committed to excellence without ego and advocacy without apology. We represent clients facing serious criminal charges, including high-stakes and high-profile cases-and prepare every case with a trial-first mindset. We believe new attorneys deserve mentorship, real courtroom opportunities, and the chance to make an impact early in their career. At A Criminal Defense Lawyer, you'll never be a cog in the machine.

We invest in people. We train hard, celebrate wins, and grow together. If you're ready to learn, ready to hustle, and ready to be part of a team that truly believes in justice-you've found the right place.

What You'll Do:

Lead the defense of complex felony and high-profile criminal cases from intake through trial
File and argue substantive pretrial motions with confidence and strategy
Mentor junior attorneys, law clerks, and legal assistants in motion practice, case prep, and trial strategy
Build strong relationships with clients, opposing counsel, investigators, and experts
Handle jury trials independently, including voir dire, cross-examination, and closing argument
Collaborate with the managing attorney on firm growth and practice development strategies

What We're Looking For:

5+ years of criminal defense or prosecution experience, with extensive felony trial work
Strong legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills
Confidence in court and composure under pressure
Experience mentoring or supervising junior staff is a plus
Licensed to practice in Michigan, or eligible for admission
Aligned with our FASTIE values and excited to be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team