ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I/II/III

Washtenaw County Health Department; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Washtenaw County Public Defender's Office seeks an assistant trial lawyer to join a developing defense team. You will represent defendants, including juveniles, who cannot afford counsel, under supervision while gaining experience toward higher levels.

The role emphasizes client interviews, evidence gathering, court preparation, and effective advocacy across arraignments, pre-trial conferences, and trials. Licensure in Michigan is required.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understand the unique legal and social needs of clients.
• Willingness to participate in community outreach and education efforts.

Responsibilities

• Interviews clients, witnesses, professionals and law enforcement to gather facts for representation.
• Investigates background facts by interviewing friends, family, schools, social agencies and employers.
• Counsels clients for a realistic evaluation of the facts and evidence and potential dispositions.
• Provides counseling to clients regarding personal problems such as job training, alcohol/drug therapy, education opportunities.
• Provides referral information to clients on services and resources.
• Prepares for court appearances by drafting briefs, researching and planning strategy."
• Represents the Public Defender in arraignments, pre-trial conferences, motions, sentencing and examinations for felonies and juvenile matters.
• Represents clients in jury or bench trials, delivering opening/closing statements and examining witnesses.
• Reads extensively to stay current on laws, precedents and court procedures.
• Maintains a professional demeanor and appearance in and out of court.
• Confer with supervisor regarding status and direction of cases.
• Discuss concluded cases with supervisors to review methods and techniques used.
• Assists in training interns and volunteers.
• Attend and participate in meetings as the Public Defender's representative.
• On rotation, work weekend and holiday duty.
• Comply with Michigan Indigent Defense Commission standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Legal understanding

Community outreach

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

INTERNAL UNION APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN FIRST CONSIDERATION FOR UNION POSITIONS

As an assistant trial lawyer to the appointed county public defender, under either general or direct supervision of managerial/supervisory staff, this developing, professional level - trial lawyer position serves as an integral part of a legal defense team. This position provides legal representation on behalf of all defendants, including juveniles, charged with criminal or civil violations who are assessed by the courts as being without sufficient resources to retain legal counsel.

Position is initially under close supervision and as trial attorneys gain greater experience to perform more independently, employees gradually receive more complex assignments. Advancement to LEVELS II and III are made after gaining required experience while demonstrating acceptable work proficiency.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Interviews clients, witnesses, professional experts and law enforcement personnel while also examining police reports and investigating crime scenes to gather available facts for use in legal representation.
• Investigates or assigns to an investigator the background facts for clients by interviewing friends, family associates, schools, social agencies and employers while also gathering data such as police records, school records and employment histories.
• Provides effective counseling to clients for a realistic evaluation of the facts and evidence in their case to ascertain what is in their best interest as regards bench or jury trials or other alternative case dispositions.
• Represents the appointed county public defender in providing effective counseling to clients regarding personal problems such as job training, alcohol and drug abuse therapy, education opportunities and a general resolution of family problems.
• Provides effective referral information to clients regarding issues such as job training, alcohol and drug abuse therapy, education opportunities and a general resolution of family problems.
• Effectively prepares for court appearances by drafting briefs, legal researching and analyzing evidence and planning strategy as needed.
• Effectively represents the appointed county public defender in providing competent legal representation for clients charged with criminal or civil violations at arraignments, pre-trial conferences, motions, sentencing, preliminary examinations for felonies, abuse and neglect matters and juvenile delinquency cases.
• Effectively represents the appointed county public defender in providing competent legal representation for clients in the conduct of jury or bench trials within the courts in delivering the case to include presenting opening and closing statements, arguing motions, and calling and examining witnesses.
• Reads extensively to keep current on new laws, precedents and court procedures.
• Maintains a professional demeanor and appearance in and out of court.
• Regularly confer with supervisor regarding status and direction of cases.
• Discuss concluded cases with supervisors and colleagues to review appropriateness of methods and techniques used in providing competent legal defense to clients.
• Assists effectively in training, giving work assignments, supervising and evaluating volunteer student interns.
• As assigned, attend and participate, as the representative of the Public Defender, community or committee meetings on topics related to the functions of the Public Defender's s Office.
• As assigned, once qualified and on a rotating basis, work weekend and holiday duty
• Complies with all standards promulgated by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission including, but not limited to, standards regarding training, education, and CLE requirements.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer monitor and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess an understanding of the unique legal and social needs of the clients the office serves
• Demonstrate a willingness to participate in community outreach and education efforts

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan or obtain membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan within probationary period and eligibility to practice under MCR 8.120.
• Each non-licensed new hire will be allowed one opportunity following hire to take the State Bar of Michigan examination. Following the notification of complete licensure within the minimum of a six-month probationary period, a maximum three month extension to the probationary period may be granted at the discretion of the Public Defender. If licensing is not obtained within the allotted time-period, said new hire will be terminated.
• Possess a valid Michigan driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EDUCATION

• Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school.

EXPERIENCE

Level 1

• Entry level classification.

Level 2

• Three (3) years of experience required with acceptable work performance.

Level 3

• Six (6) Years of experience required with acceptable work performance.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.