Principal Trial Lawyer

Macomb County Government; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 949,000 - 1,228,000; Full time

Job summary

Macomb County Government seeks a Principal Trial Lawyer to perform highly complex legal assignments, authorizing and preparing warrants, conducting legal research, writing briefs, and managing cases in court. The role involves leading attorneys in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office and handling complex criminal and civil matters from arraignments to sentencing.

The position requires a Juris Doctorate, five years of practice, and experience with jury trials.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.
• Five years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law.
• Experience with misdemeanor jury trials and/or felony jury trials.

Responsibilities

• Attends and participates in arraignments, hearings and sentencings.
• Conducts pre-trial negotiations.
• Determines proper criminal charges.
• Prepares warrants, affidavits, subpoenas, legal pleadings, written briefs and other legal documents, while exercising considerable independent judgement.
• Researches legal issues, advises law enforcement agencies and staff of legal procedures.
• Assists with investigations as needed.
• Handles and investigates citizen complaints as needed.
• Conducts trials of state law felony cases.
• Performs and coordinates special investigations and handles unusual or complicated cases.
• Supervises and directs the activities of other Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Criminal law

Civil law

Legal research

Oral & written advocacy

Court procedures

Project management

Education

Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university

Experience in prosecuting office

Efficiency improvement projects (IT/training)

Job description

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage.Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

To learn more about Macomb County benefits click here

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Principal Trial Lawyer

SALARY:

$103,071.78 - $133,314.73

DEPARTMENT:

Prosecuting Attorney

Opening Date:

10/29/2026

Closing Date:

11/16/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP:

Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME:

Full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is currently 8:00 a.m.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Performs legal assignments involving highly complex and specialized cases. Authorizes and prepares arrest warrants and search warrants. Performs legal research, writes briefs, and handles cases in court.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Attends and participates in arraignments, hearings and sentencings. Conducts pre-trial negotiations.

Determines proper criminal charges. Prepares warrants, affidavits, subpoenas, legal pleadings, written briefs and other legal documents, while exercising considerable independent judgement.

Researches legal issues, advises law enforcement agencies and staff of legal procedures. Assists with investigations as needed.

Handles and investigates citizen complaints as needed.

Conducts trials of state law felony cases. Which includes investigation, identifying evidence and other necessary procedures.

Performs and/or coordinates special investigations, handles unusual or complicated cases and conducts legal research on specific issues as needed or directed.

Supervises and directs the activities of other Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education and Experience

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university
• Five years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law
• Experience with misdemeanor jury trials and/or felony jury trials

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience working within a prosecuting attorney’s office
• Experience working on projects designed to increase efficiency in the office (such as information technology, development of training, etc)

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Current membership in good standing in the State Bar of Michigan
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license operable automobile and insurance

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:

Knowledge of:

• Criminal and civil law
• Criminal code
• Rules of procedure and rules of evidence
• Legal terminology and court procedures
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

Skill in:

• Organization
• Interviewing techniques
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Directing the work of others
• Project Management

Ability to:

• Perform legal research
• Accurately argue both orally and in writing
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information
• Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S =Never/Seldom O =Occasionally F/C = Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: N/S

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: F/C

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: F/C

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S