Civil Rights Attorney (5-year position)

Drmich; Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) has an immediate opening for a full-time attorney in Lansing for a five-year position focused on Medicaid litigation and advocacy. The job is grant-funded and may extend if funding permits; office is in Lansing with hybrid flexibility.

Required: JD from an accredited law school, admission to the Michigan Bar, and at least three years of relevant litigation experience including 1983/Medicaid/ADA. DRM is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active State Bar of Michigan membership.
• Minimum three years of relevant litigation experience, including complex/1983/Medicaid/ADA litigation; hearing experience is preferred.
• Ability to lead litigation in state and federal courts and manage case planning.
• Commitment to civil rights and working with people with disabilities; travel as required.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients and classes in litigation as described, including Medicaid and disability rights.
• Develop impact litigation and advocacy strategies; set internal priorities.
• Collaborate with DRM staff and outside counsel on litigation and outreach.
• Ensure compliance with professional requirements and DRM policies.
• Provide support to staff and organizations on DRM’s work and policy issues.
• Design and lead trainings on request and assist with reporting obligations.
• Represent DRM perspectives on task forces, coalitions, and related bodies.
• Attend team and agency-wide meetings; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Litigation experience

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Public interest/legal advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Active State Bar of Michigan

Tools

Case management system

Microsoft Office

Job description

DRM > Civil Rights Attorney (5-year position)

Civil Rights Attorney (5-year position)

Civil Rights Attorney (5-year position)

Lansing

Position Overview

Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) has an immediate opening for a full-time attorney. This is a five-year position, funded by grants from the State Bar Foundation and a private donor, to focus on Medicaid litigation and advocacy. The position may be extended beyond five years if funding permits.

Candidate must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law and be admitted to practice law in Michigan. Minimum three years’ relevant litigation experience, ideally involving complex litigation, 1983 litigation, Medicaid Act litigation, and/or ADA litigation. Administrative hearing experience is highly desired.

Excellent benefits. Office located in Lansing, but position is hybrid with flexibility.

DRM is the agency designated by the Governor of the State of Michigan to protect and advocate for the legal rights of individuals with disabilities. DRM is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, political belief, creed, national origin, marital status, or disability.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients and classes of clients who are eligible for DRM services in litigation as set forth above.
• Assist in developing impact litigation and advocacy strategies, as well as internal litigation and advocacy priorities.
• Collaborate with DRM staff and outside counsel in carrying out # 1 and 2.
• Comply with all applicable professional requirements and internal policies, including DRM case management requirements.
• Provide support to DRM staff and outside individuals and organizations on issues relating to DRM’s work.
• Design and lead trainings on request.
• Assist with reporting and similar agency obligations as needed.
• Represent the perspective of DRM and people with disabilities on task forces, policy groups, coalitions, and similar bodies.
• Regularly attend team and agency-wide staff meetings in-office, virtually, or off-site as required.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active State Bar of Michigan membership.
• At least three years of relevant litigation experience, ideally including complex litigation, 1983 litigation, Medicaid Act litigation, and/or ADA litigation. Administrative hearing experience is highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to lead litigation in state and federal courts.
• Demonstrated ability to take a lead role in case planning and litigation management.
• Valid State of Michigan identification and ability to travel to court, client meetings, etc.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and the ability to work with individuals with a variety of disabilities and backgrounds.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to provide effective legal representation to people with disabilities. Ability to respond to confrontational situations and stressful interactions.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally, with or without accommodation.
• Demonstrated ability to respond in an empathetic/compassionate manner, while maintaining neutrality and composure, to sensitive situations, emotionally charged issues, etc.
• Technological skills necessary to create high-quality correspondence, legal documents, and educational materials; ability to effectively use DRM’s case management system and relevant computer programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and demands with varying deadlines.
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to public interest law (preferably in the area of disability rights) preferred. This includes experience at a legal services organization or similar non-profits.
• Experience as a person with a disability, or experience working with or living with persons with disabilities, preferred.
• Successful completion of background check.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Normal office environment; telework may be available with prior approval.
• Work involves travel to various locations throughout the State with some exposure to adverse weather, traffic hazards, and the like. Minimal exposure to injury and/or communicable diseases when using standard precautions.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required.

Salary Range

$70,000-$77,000

Candidates with significantly more relevant experience may be considered for a Senior Attorney position (salary range is $87,000-$95,000).

Friday, August 14, 2026