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:  Labor and Employment Associate

LOCATION: Detroit or Bloomfield Hills Office

GENERAL PURPOSE:  Perform the general duties of an associate attorney by performing legal research, drafting discovery responses, 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:

• Conduct thorough and high quality legal research;
• 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;
• Prepare legal briefs and other pleadings;
• Work with partner-level attorneys to determine documents and information to produce, manner of production, and selection of vendors.
• Respond to EEOC and MDCR charges;
• Handle various aspects of employment related litigation, such as motion hearings, mediations and depositions;
• Prepare trial materials.
• Attend and assist at pretrial, trial, and post trial proceedings.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• 2-5 years’ 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. 

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.

POSITION:  Electronic Discovery Attorney (2+ years of eDiscovery experience)

LOCATION: Detroit, MI

GENERAL PURPOSE:  Assist with general pretrial discovery and with eDiscovery tasks at all stages of the EDRM, with increasing responsibility for project management.  This is not a document review position, though there will be supervisory and escalated document review responsibilities at times. Substantive eDiscovery experience is required.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with all areas of discovery, including but not limited to drafting discovery requests, drafting responses to discovery requests, preparing initial disclosures, and drafting discovery motion papers (motions to compel, quash, for a protective order, etc.).
• Review and analyze documents for responsiveness to discovery requests.
• Monitor the status and completeness of discovery responses.
• Advise colleagues and clients with regard to ESI preservation requirements and options.
• Advise colleagues and clients with regard to ESI collection, review, and production.
• Participate in and conduct custodial interviews.
• Consult with the trial team to develop efficient and effective eDiscovery workflows customized to each case.
• Consult with the trial team in advance of eDiscovery related conferences pursuant to FRCP 26(f) and MCR 2.401 and participate in those conferences as needed.
• Develop eDiscovery protocols pursuant to FRCP 26(f) and MCR 2.401(C)(2).
• Research and draft memos and motion papers regarding eDiscovery issues (including proportionality challenges, motions for protective orders, spoliation motions, etc.).
• Develop document review strategies utilizing internal and external resources.
• Assist the trial team with identifying and utilizing key ESI for depositions, motions, and at trial.
• Assist with the management of document reviews and productions in conjunction with the trial team and senior eDiscovery personnel.
• Work closely with client IT resources, outside technology experts, and vendors.
• Lead privilege review and logging efforts.
• Stay current with eDiscovery law and technology.
• Attend legal proceedings, such as motion hearings, mediations, depositions, and trial, as necessary.
• General litigation associate tasks, including substantive research and writing, as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Solid organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to act as a bridge/translator between client IT resources and the legal team.
• 2+ years conducting eDiscovery activities as described in the Major Responsibilities section above (beyond document review).
• An understanding of legal issues related to discovery and the ability to draft complex written discovery requests, responses, and motions.
• Ability to effectively apply best practices and procedures related to eDiscovery, ESI preservation, document review/coding, and large-scale document productions.
• Working knowledge of electronic discovery technology tools and document review platforms, including AI tools.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Eagerness to assume elevated responsibility.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a member of a team.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and situations.
• Ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited law school.
• At least two years as a practicing attorney with broad and deep eDiscovery experience.
• eDiscovery related certifications preferred but not required.
• Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan.

POSITION:  Electronic Discovery and Litigation Technology Paralegal

LOCATION: Detroit, MI

GENERAL PURPOSE: Experienced litigation support paralegal needed to assist with eDiscovery project management and to work with litigation technology.  The successful applicant will have substantial eDiscovery experience.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• eDiscovery project management experience.
• Craft complex Boolean saved searches in Relativity or other platforms.
• Work with trial team and client to locate relevant ESI.
• Assist with document review workflow development and oversight.
• Maintain accurate and timely production logs.
• Quality check (QC) work related to reviewer coding and productions.
• Consult with trial team to develop efficient and effective eDiscovery solutions customized to each case.
• Work closely with outside technology vendors.
• Assist trial team with identifying and utilizing key ESI for depositions, motions, and at trial.
• Work with trial team to develop electronic exhibits and presentations for legal proceedings, such as motion hearings, mediations, depositions and trial.
• Utilize trial presentation software.
• Coordinate with courtroom staff to determine appropriate technology for use during legal proceedings.
• Handle litigation technology needs during legal proceedings, including trial.
• Handle other litigation tasks as assigned, including deposition preparation, summarizing deposition transcripts, drafting documents, etc.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Solid organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrable ability to craft complex searches in Relativity or other document review platforms.
• Experience with QC work in Relativity or other platforms, including review QC and production QC.
• Familiarity with load files.
• Ability to load data into review platforms and to handle exception reports.
• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines.
• Prior use of trial presentation software.
• Ability to troubleshoot basic technology issues.
• Ability to anticipate technology needs of the trial team during hearings.
• Ability to perform a variety of litigation tasks at a high level.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING:

• eDiscovery related certifications preferred but not required.
• 2+ years of eDiscovery project management experience.
• 2+ years of litigation technology experience.
• Bachelor degree and Paralegal certification from an ABA approved program is required.

POSITION:  Civil and Criminal Litigation Associate

LOCATION: Washington, D.C.

GENERAL PURPOSE:  We are hiring an associate attorney to join our civil and criminal litigation team in Washington, D.C., to help us handle our diverse, dynamic, and growing book of business.  While a majority of the firm’s clients are based in the Detroit area, our cases are nation-wide and global.  Associates may also assist our offices in New York City and Detroit as needed.  Illustrative cases include white-collar civil and criminal defense in federal courts, global internal corporate and government investigations, export controls and enforcement matters, international trade compliance matters, and various types of complex commercial litigation.  Our clients include Fortune 500 companies as well as startups and small businesses, and high-level executives.  Our current cases are pending in federal courts across the country.  We are looking for an attorney who is able to perform the general duties of an associate attorney by drafting pleadings, conducting research, attending hearings, participating in court appearances, conducting depositions, managing and advising clients, and providing high-level support and assistance to partner-level litigation attorneys during all phases of litigation. 

Butzel Long has been in existence for over 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 centuries.  We continue to grow our client 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 in Washington, D.C.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses involved in litigation.
• Demonstrate an ability to cultivate and generate new client relationships.
• Manage new and existing client relationships.
• Conduct research and draft memos for partners.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and briefs.
• Attend legal proceedings, such as motion hearings, evidentiary hearings, mediations, and depositions.
• Assist with all areas of discovery including, but not limited to: drafting discovery requests, drafting 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:

• Superior intellect and quick grasp of complex legal issues, as evidenced by superior grades in law school and/or work experience in similar settings.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to work as needed to get any task done.
• Good organizational and project management skills.
• Proficient in the use of on-line legal research services and legal resources.
• Superior legal writing skills.
• Excellent oral communication.
• 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 databases (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 District of Columbia, or other state.

POSITION:  Tax Attorney

LOCATION:  Bloomfield Hills or Detroit Office

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Butzel Long, a Michigan-based law firm with offices in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills and Lansing, Michigan as well as New York and Washington, D.C., is seeking an experienced tax attorney to join its Michigan offices.  Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of experience providing legal representation in all areas of tax law. A candidate with a strong book of business and a L.L.M. in taxation and/or CPA license is preferred.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advise and represent clients regarding state and local taxes including income, capital gains, sales and use and real estate taxes.
• Advise and represent clients with respect to a variety of taxes issues including choice of entity, tax planning in connection with mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions, non-profit organizations, business start-ups, tax compliance program management and trusts and estates.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Experience in tax matters including corporate mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; partnerships, LLCs and joint ventures; private equity and private equity fund formation; real estate, real estate fund formation and real estate investment trusts; regulated investment companies; non-profit and financing and capital markets transactions.
• Knowledge and experience with international taxation is a plus.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Organizational and project management skills.
• Proficient in the use of on-line legal research services and legal resources available on the internet.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
• Must have the desire and ability to be actively engaged in professional activities with the growth of business in mind.
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work cooperatively in teams and actively engage in the professional development of associate attorneys.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited law school
• Admitted to and in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan
• At least 10 years of experience as a practicing attorney

POSITION:  Business/Corporate Legal Assistant

LOCATION:  Detroit

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Check name availability and reserve or register corporation, partnership or limited liability company name; cancel a name reservation.
• File articles or certificates of incorporation, certificates of limited partnerships or articles of organization, and appropriate amendments and resolutions as necessary.
• Obtain Certificates of Good Standing.
• Draft stock certificates and maintain stockholder records and corporate minute books, including drafting notices of organizational meetings and resolutions to be adopted.
• Prepare and file application for federal employer identification number.
• Prepare stockholder agreements and amendments as necessary.
• Prepare lease agreements, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, and security agreements.
• Prepare documents necessary to qualify corporations as foreign corporations in other jurisdictions.
• Draft and file annual reports, notices of changes of officers, directors, and related corporate information in jurisdiction of incorporation and in foreign jurisdictions in which corporation is qualified to transact business.
• Draft UCC financing statements and subsequent amendments, assignments, or terminations with appropriate state and local agencies.
• Maintain and update appointment calendar.
• Coordinates client billing with timekeeper and the Accounting Department, as well as process new client/matters and expense reports.
• Work as part of the legal assistant team in managing the workload of the department and ensuring effective coverage is maintained.
• Performs other work related duties as assigned or as judgment or necessity dictates.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledgeable regarding federal and state regulatory filings.
• Proficient use of Hyperstyles and other Firm software applications for preparing documents, including formatting, proofing, and editing for errors. Ability to learn new technology.
• Ability to effectively communicate with clients and vendors.
• Highly detailed with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure.
• High level of initiative to get tasks done and take ownership of work product.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• Minimum five years of experience as a legal secretary in corporate practice area, with three of those years in a law firm environment or equivalent experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; relevant college courses and/or certification preferred.
• Notary public beneficial.

To submit your resume or for information regarding current career opportunities, please contact recruiting@butzel.com.