What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Attorney position at Sumner & Associates, PC?
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Family Law, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration
Rochester Hills, Michigan | $80,000–$100,000 Bonus Opportunities
Ready to actually practice law?
Join a five-star Michigan law firm where you can build real experience, work directly with clients, appear in court, negotiate cases, prepare estate plans, handle probate matters, and grow into the attorney you want to become.
Sumner & Associates, P.C. is an established boutique law firm serving families throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. We are growing and seeking an exceptional Associate Attorney with 0–3 years of experience.
We are also interested in recent law-school graduates awaiting results from the July 2026 Michigan Bar Examination.
Build a Real Legal Career
Our attorneys help families through some of the most important and difficult events of their lives.
You will gain hands-on experience in:
- Divorce & Family Law — divorce, custody, parenting time, support, motions, negotiations, mediation, and courtroom advocacy
- Estate Planning — wills, trusts, powers of attorney and trust funding
- Probate & Trust Administration — decedent estates, probate proceedings and trust administration
This is not a back-office position. You will learn how to meet clients, analyze problems, develop strategy, negotiate, draft, advocate, and manage matters of your own.
Why Join Sumner & Associates?
You will receive:
- Direct mentorship from a Michigan attorney with more than 35 years of experience
- Meaningful client responsibility and courtroom experience
- Experienced paralegal and administrative support
- Established forms, systems, checklists and workflows
- Modern legal technology and practice-management tools
- ICLE and professional-development resources
- Paid Bar dues
- Retirement benefits
- Paid time off
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- A professional, supportive and team-oriented work environment
Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to grow your skills, confidence, compensation, and long-term potential with a five-star law firm.
Who We Want
We are looking for someone who is:
- Smart, dependable, and highly organized
- Comfortable communicating and being assertive with clients and the court.
- A strong writer and developing advocate
- Compassionate with clients but willing to take a firm position when necessary
- Motivated to learn courtroom practice
- Professional, ethical, and accountable
- Interested in building a long-term legal career
Prior experience in family law, estate planning, or probate is helpful, but work ethic, judgment, attitude,and potential matter greatly to us.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have:
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Active Michigan law license preferred
- Prior attorney or practical legal experience strongly preferred
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent analytical ability and sound judgment
- Strong comfort with numbers, financial information, calculations, and the ability to quickly understand and work through numerical issues
- Confidence communicating directly with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and other professionals
- Desire and willingness to appear regularly in court for motions, hearings, conferences, and other routine proceedings
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, professionalism, and personal accountability
- A genuine desire to develop into a highly capable, independent Michigan attorney
Compensation
Base salary: $80,000–$100,000 per year, depending upon experience, qualifications, and demonstrated ability.
Additional opportunities include:
- Performance and productivity bonuses
- Retirement benefits
- Paid vacation time off
- Bar dues reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Advancement and leadership opportunities
The Opportunity
We are not simply looking to fill a position.
We want to find an attorney who can become an important part of our firm for years to come.
If you want meaningful work, real responsibility, strong mentorship, and the opportunity to grow with a five-star Michigan law firm, we would like to meet you.
Confidential inquiries are welcome.
Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
Salary : $80,000 - $100,000