Career Opportunities

What differentiates our law firm from any other? Ultimately, it is our culture. At Butzel Long, our values are central to our culture, and these values attract a certain lawyer. We believe our recruiting efforts are critical to our success and are diligent about accessing talent whose values align with ours.

Current Openings:

POSITION: Conflicts and New Matter Coordinator (Full-time)

LOCATION: Detroit, Michigan

GENERAL PURPOSE: Work with members of the Operations department with new matter intake and other clerical duties as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:      

• Performs preliminary conflict checks on prospective parties
• Alert General Counsel to possible conflicts with current clients
• Maintain conflict database
• Run conflicts checks, review and open client matters
• Prepare and publish daily conflict report
• Participate in various Operations functions

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to research database and analyze results
• Understand the meticulous nature of database maintenance and data dissemination
• Excellent reasoning and judgment ability 
• Ability to work independently, and as a part of a team
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks
• Excellent attention to detail and organization skills
• Proactive in problem-solving
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Motivated and willing to accept responsibilities
• Flexible to work overtime as needed

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Experience working with Elite Enterprise Software System a plus
• Microsoft Office

POSITION: Government Contracts Attorney(s)

GENERAL PURPOSE: Perform the general duties of a partner-level attorney (or associate in a practice group) by managing your existing clients and serving clients of other Firm attorneys by, e.g., crafting legal strategies for addressing Government Contracts issues, conducting bid protests, pursuing claims and disputes, providing expert legal advice and creating legal documents on issues involving contracts or OTAs, changes and equitable adjustments, ethics and compliance, suspension and debarment, investigations, small business programs (including 8(a), SDVO, HUBZone, and WOSB), data rights and other intellectual property rights, prime/sub relations, teaming agreements, Joint Ventures, DCAA audits, cost allowability issues, terminations, security clearances and classified contracts, cybersecurity requirements, supply chain accountability, FMS, FMF and DCCs, and compliance with statutes and regulations such as the FAR, DFARS, False Claims Act, BAA, TAA, TINA, Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) Act (formerly Davis-Bacon), 41 USC Chapter 65 (formerly Walsh-Healey Act), Fair Labor Standards Act and the Service Contract Labor Standards statute (formerly Service Contract Act).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Counsel clients on government contracts formation and administration, ethics and compliance, protests, dispute resolution, etc.;
• Prepare and pursue bid protests or intervene at agencies, the GAO, and/or the CoFC;
• Pursue or defend appeals at the Federal Circuit;
• Handle REAs, claims and disputes;
• Provide advice on prime/sub relations, including teaming agreements, JVs, and subcontracts;
• Resolve prime/sub disputes and litigate, if necessary;
• Prepare and/or review other administrative filings;
• Conduct internal investigations and provide advice on voluntary disclosures;
• Demonstrate an ability to cultivate and generate new client relationships;
• Manage new and existing client relationships;
• Work closely with other Firm attorneys to provide government contracts advice and build the confidence of their clients in our government contracts practice group

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Significant experience in government contracts litigation, administrative procedures, and client counseling;
• In-house or procurement workforce experience a plus;
• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Good organizational and project management skills;
• Proficient in the use of on-line legal research services and legal resources available on the internet including Westlaw;
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written);
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision; 
• Actively involved in activities that may, over time, result in business development.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited law school
• Admitted to the Bar of DC, MD and/or VA, or eligible to become admitted promptly
• At least 4 years as a practicing attorney
• 4-7 years of experience

POSITION:  Commercial Litigation Associate

GENERAL PURPOSE:  We are hiring an associate attorney to join our complex commercial litigation team to help us handle our diverse, dynamic, and growing book of business.  While a majority of our clients are based in the Detroit area, our cases are nation-wide and even have a global reach.  Illustrative cases include global automotive supplier disputes, trade secret disputes, shareholder oppression cases, breach of contract matters, and much more.  Our clients include Fortune 500 companies as well as startups and small businesses.  Our current cases are pending in state and federal courts across the country as well as state and federal courts of appeal.  We are looking for an attorney who is able to perform the general duties of an associate attorney by creating legal documents, attending hearings, conducting depositions, managing and advising clients on legal transactions, and providing high-level support and assistance to partner-level litigation attorneys during all phases of litigation. 

Butzel Long has been in existence for 165 years and has helped shape the legal and business landscape of the city of Detroit and this region for over one-and-a-half decades.  We continue to grow our clientele base and to be at the forefront of some of the biggest cases and most important issues in our industry.  We are seeking a standout candidate to join our growing team.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and business in the litigation specialists of law.
• Demonstrate an ability to cultivate and generate new client relationships.
• Manage new and existing client relationships.
• Attend legal proceedings, such as motion hearings, mediations and depositions, as necessary.
• Assist with all areas of discovery including, but not limited to: drafting discovery requests, responses to discovery requests, preparation of initial disclosures and witness preparation.
• Work with partner-level attorneys to determine documents and information to produce, manner of production, and selection of vendors.
• Organize, review, and maintain documents produced; perform, supervise, or coordinate coding of case documents and development of databases and/or other litigation support applications.
• Review and analyze documents for responsiveness to discovery requests.
• Monitor the status and completeness of discovery responses.
• Review and assemble deposition, trial and motion exhibits.
• Index and summarize deposition testimony and exhibits.
• Gather impeaching materials for adverse experts including prior testimony, transcripts, articles, and publications.
• Prepare trial materials.
• Attend and assist at pretrial, trial, and post trial proceedings.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Good organizational and project management skills.
• Proficient in the use of on-line legal research services and legal resources available on the internet, including Westlaw.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
• Must have sound judgment. 
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. 

• Demonstrates expertise in a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a member of a team with internal and external contacts.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and situations.
• Proven willingness to work hard in a fast-paced atmosphere.
• Experience with use of document/discovery data bases (e.g. Relativity).  

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited law school.
• At least 2 years as a practicing attorney.
• 2-10 years of experience
• Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan.

POSITION:  Labor and Employment Associate

GENERAL PURPOSE:  Perform the general duties of an associate attorney by creating legal documents, attending hearings, conducting depositions, responding to EEOC and MDCR Charges, managing and advising clients on legal issues involving employees, and providing support and assistance to partner-level litigation attorneys during all phases of employment related litigation and traditional labor matters.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Counsel clients on labor and employment issues and compliance, employee discipline and discharge, etc.;
• Respond to EEOC and MDCR charges;
• Prepare legal briefs and other pleadings;
• Handle various aspects of employment related litigation, such as motion hearings, mediations and depositions;
• Demonstrate an ability to cultivate and generate new client relationships;
• Manage new and existing client relationships;
• Assist with all areas of discovery including, but not limited to: drafting discovery requests, responses to discovery requests, preparation of initial disclosures and witness preparation;
• Work with partner-level attorneys to determine documents and information to produce, manner of production, and selection of vendors.
• Prepare trial materials.
• Attend and assist at pretrial, trial, and post trial proceedings.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Significant experience in employment related litigation and client counseling;
• Traditional labor experience a plus;
• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Good organizational and project management skills.
• Proficient in the use of on-line legal research services and legal resources available on the internet including Westlaw.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
• Must have sound judgment. 
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Actively involved in activities that may, over time, result in business development.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited law school.
• Admitted to the Michigan State Bar, or eligible to promptly become admitted
• At least 4 years as a practicing attorney.
• 4-7 years of experience

Please submit your resume and cover letter to recruiting@butzel.com.

For information regarding current career opportunities, please contact recruiting@butzel.com.