Assistant Public Defender

Van Buren County Government; Paw Paw (MI); On-site; USD 96,673 - 117,844; Full time

Job summary

Van Buren County Government seeks an attorney to provide indigent defense and legal services. Responsible for preparing legal strategies, conducting research, and advising clients on legal matters. The attorney will appear at trial court hearings and manage cases effectively.

This role requires a graduate from an accredited law school and membership in the Michigan Bar. Salary is based on experience, particularly with criminal cases, and the position offers comprehensive employee benefits.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited law school and member of the Michigan Bar Association.
• Salary depends on experience, particularly in criminal cases.

Responsibilities

• Ensures legal strategies are customized for clients' needs.
• Prepares and presents legal research and arguments.
• Coordinates leadership strategies and communicates with other departments.
• Litigates necessary legal issues, including trial appearances.

Skills

Customer Focus

Teamwork

Communication

Leadership & Influence

Analysis & Problem Solving

Education

Graduate from accredited law school

Member in good standing of Michigan Bar Association

Job description

2026 Salary Range: $96,673.89 - $117,844.94

JOB SUMMARY

Provides indigent defense and legal services. Prepares, analyzes, presents, reports and communicates legal strategies, legal research and advises clients about legal matters. Appears at all levels of the trial court hearings, including arraignments, probable cause conferences, preliminary examinations, pre-trials, trials, sentencing, motions and other assigned hearings.

Employee Benefits

https://www.vanburencountymi.gov/846/Employee-Benefits

ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS

• Customer Focus
• Teamwork
• Employee Engagement
• Process Focus
• Financial Resources
• Goal/Results Oriented
• Communication
• Leadership & Influence
• Decision Making & Judgement
• Analysis & Problem Solving
• Excellent oral and written communications

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures that legal strategies are customized for client’s needs and are well analyzed and effectively communicated to the clients.
• Prepare and present legal research and arguments to the courts ensuring sound arguments pursuant to law; Advises clients of their legal rights.
• Prepares and conducts investigations, properly interviewing clients, witnesses and every individual related to a law violation or crime.
• Determines deficiencies by using legal, scientific and technological knowledge. Ensures that the department is always updating technical and legal knowledge.
• Coordinates and implements leadership strategies based on functions, positions and performance.
• Effectively communicates with other departments of the organization to ensure that files are efficiently prepared and delivered on time on each scheduled court date.
• Analyzes, develops and maintains approaches in order to have an effective recruitment process for the new Holistic Defense Partner positions.
• Trains, develops, makes work assignments, supervises and evaluates intern/volunteer workforce.
• Litigates any legal issues that are necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.
• Performs attorney functions as assigned
• Ensures that procedures and manuals are documented and updated as necessary.
• Performs other administrative functions & projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• Graduate from an accredited law school and member in good standing of the Michigan Bar Association or pending bar results.
• This position is open to all levels of experience. Salary will be based on experience with an emphasis on experience in criminal cases.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen. Applicant must complete County application form.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct Reports: None.
• Delegation of Work: N/A
• Supervision Given: None.
• Reports to: This position reports to the Deputy Chief Public Defender.

WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to express oneself and exchange information both verbally and in writing. The employee is frequently required to move about the office environment; operate a computer and other office machinery; and move or transport files or other items to meetings and other office spaces. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. The ability to open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary is required.

Travel

Travel to Van Buren County buildings for job duties may be required.

OTHER DUTIES

Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Van Buren County. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.