Criminal Defense Attorney (BigLaw Firms)

What you'll do

This listing leans toward trial work more than document review. The scope includes:

• Analysing complex criminal law scenarios and setting out frameworks for resolving them
• Drafting, reviewing and refining pleadings, motions and trial strategies
• Identifying the key issues, arguments and procedural points in case materials
• Commenting on trial advocacy technique and courtroom procedure
• Writing up the ethical dimensions of defense practice as best practice for AI learning modules
• Building high-fidelity simulation exercises that reflect real practice, for use in model training

The simulation and advocacy items are what set this apart from micro1's Criminal Lawyer (BigLaw Firms) listing, which is weighted toward reading, editing and summarising criminal law documents. If you are a trial lawyer, this is the closer fit.

Who fits

All listed as preferred:

• Extensive background as a criminal defense specialist at a BigLaw or major firm
• Proven litigation and trial advocacy experience in complex criminal matters
• Exceptional legal writing, analysis and reasoning
• A strong grasp of defense ethics and best practice
• Experience reviewing, preparing or teaching case strategy and procedural safeguards
• Familiarity with technology-assisted research and digital case management
• Contributions to professional development, legal education or innovation

No JD or bar admission line appears on this ad, unusually; in practice the defense experience implies both. White-collar defense partners and associates are the obvious BigLaw match.

What it pays

$140–400/hour, micro1's BigLaw band. No compensation structure or placement basis is published.

Worth knowing

Good:

• A high band for criminal work
• Trial advocacy and ethics are valued, not just drafting
• Teaching and legal education experience counts

Less good:

• Only 10 openings, and listed for about two months
• "BigLaw" in criminal defense effectively means white-collar practice; public defenders and solo practitioners are outside the stated profile
• A $260-wide band with no stated placement basis
• No pay structure, hours or duration published
• Contractor engagement: no benefits, no notice period, your own tax to manage

About this listing

Read on micro1's jobs portal on 24 September 2026, where it showed as posted about two months earlier. The band, the 10 openings and the qualifications are its published text; the comparison with the Criminal Lawyer listing is ours. See micro1.