Litigation Associate

Seward Henderson PLLC | Royal Oak, Michigan

$90,000-$120,000 Salary | Performance Bonus Opportunities

Full-Time | In-Person

Build a Sophisticated Litigation Practice with Meaningful Responsibility

"The work is good work." This is not your standard personal injury defense firm. No two cases are the same. No two days are the same.

Seward Henderson PLLC is a boutique civil defense litigation firm representing municipalities, law enforcement agencies, EMS providers, insurers, and private organizations throughout Michigan. Our attorneys handle significant state and federal litigation involving constitutional claims, civil rights actions, municipal liability, premises liability, law enforcement defense, EMS defense, and other complex civil matters.

We are continuing to grow our litigation team and are seeking attorneys who want more than document review and file maintenance. We are looking for attorneys who want meaningful responsibility, direct client interaction, courtroom experience, and the opportunity to develop into highly capable litigators.

Why Seward Henderson

Many firms promise courtroom experience and professional development. We expect our attorneys to actively participate in both. Associates work directly with experienced litigators on significant cases throughout Michigan and are involved in litigation strategy, client communication, depositions, motion practice, hearings, and trial preparation from the beginning.

Our attorneys are trusted with real responsibility and are expected to continue developing their judgment, advocacy skills, and ability to independently manage litigation matters. This is an opportunity to build a sophisticated litigation practice while working closely with experienced attorneys in a collaborative, high-performing environment.

What You'll Do

Associates are actively involved in:

• Motion practice and legal research

• Depositions and witness examinations

• Court appearances, hearings, and oral arguments

• Case strategy and litigation analysis

• Direct communication with clients, experts, and witnesses

• Discovery management and dispute resolution

• Trial preparation and substantive litigation work

• Complex state and federal civil litigation

Our Practice Includes

• Civil rights and §1983 litigation

• Municipal liability defense

• Law enforcement defense

• EMS defense

• Premises liability

• Insurance defense litigation

• Wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims

• State and federal court litigation

Who Thrives Here

This position is a strong fit for attorneys who:

• Want meaningful responsibility rather than years of observation

• Enjoy analyzing difficult legal and factual issues

• Take ownership of their work and deadlines

• Value preparation, professionalism, and accountability

• Welcome direct feedback and continuous improvement

• Want to become exceptional litigators

Attorneys looking for a highly structured environment with limited responsibility may not find this role to be the best fit.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD)

• Active Michigan bar admission (or eligibility for admission)

• 2-5 years of litigation experience preferred

• Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and manage competing priorities

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary ($90,000-$120,000 based on experience)

• Objective performance-based bonus opportunities up to 20k per year

• Health, life, and disability insurance

• 401(k) with employer match

• Paid time off

• Bar dues and professional memberships covered

• Covered parking in downtown Royal Oak

Our Culture

We believe strong litigation requires preparation, professionalism, sound judgment, accountability, and continuous growth. We maintain a collaborative environment where attorneys work closely together, learn from one another, and are expected to contribute meaningfully to the success of every case.

We take our work seriously because our clients trust us with significant matters. We are looking for attorneys who share that mindset and want to build a long-term litigation career.