Associate Attorney

SMB Team•Cleveland, OH

18d•$80,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This Associate Attorney position is in Criminal Law defense and offers a hybrid/remote work environment. The role is with a law firm client in Cleveland, Ohio, seeking an attorney with 3-6 years of Criminal Defense experience. The firm emphasizes autonomy, collaboration, and professional growth. Attorneys will manage a caseload of criminal cases, work with a legal team, meet with clients virtually and in person, negotiate with prosecutors, provide client updates, and handle court appearances. Essential skills include writing appellate briefs and trying cases independently. The role requires comprehensive legal research, drafting persuasive motions, and upholding integrity and professionalism under pressure.

Requirements

3–6 years of experience practicing criminal defense law
Active Ohio Bar license in good standing, with demonstrable experience practicing law in Ohio.
Courtroom experience, including participation in hearings and trials.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including clear, professional phone conversations and well-crafted email correspondence.
Understanding that serving clients goes beyond the standard 8-5 workday – Gets the job done.
Superior work ethic - takes ownership and embraces success.
Team player that understands the importance of and participates in firm meetings and huddles.
Demonstrated personal accountability and a strong sense of professional responsibility.
Ability to make independent decisions is essential.
Exceptional negotiation and persuasion skills enabling you to effectively advocate for your clients and achieve optimal outcomes.
Outstanding research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, equipping you to address complex legal challenges with confidence.
Must be self-directed with a competitive drive.
Must be teachable and coachable.
Embraces change, growth and new technology.
An energetic go-getter who is a delight to work with.

Nice To Haves

additional civil litigation experience is a plus
trial experience is preferred

Responsibilities

Consistently handle 25 criminal cases at a time, at minimum, from intake to resolution. Advance to 26-50 cases at a time in short order.
Work efficiently and effectively with a team of paralegals, legal assistants, and intake specialists.
Take job ownership and be willing to learn new areas of law.
Meet with clients in person and virtually devising case strategy and communicating the recommended resolution to their matter.
Negotiate with prosecutors and clients for best results for clients.
Provide continual communication with clients as to case updates.
Meet all case and client deadlines, including court appearances.
Ability to write appellate briefs is essential.
Ability to try cases independently (or aspire to learn to do so)
Draft persuasive motions, pleadings, and briefs that advance your client’s interests at every stage of the legal process.
Perform comprehensive legal research and analysis across a variety of criminal law issues to build strong, evidence-based defenses.
Demonstrate unwavering integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct, consistently championing justice, fairness, and the rights of every client.
Excel under pressure by skillfully managing multiple cases without compromising the high quality and meticulous attention to detail that distinguishes our firm.