Principal Trial Lawyer

Macomb-County-Government; Michigan; On-site; USD 103,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

No premium for employee health plan

Job summary

Macomb County Government seeks a Principal Trial Lawyer to perform highly complex legal assignments, including authorizing warrants, conducting trials, and providing counsel to law enforcement. Responsibilities include pre-trial negotiations, researching legal issues, and supervising Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, with a strong emphasis on independence and professional judgment.

The position requires a Juris Doctorate and at least five years in criminal or civil law, with experience in

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.
• Five years of experience in 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 and briefs.
• Conducts trials of state law felony cases.
• Supervises and directs the activities of other Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys.

Skills

Criminal law

Civil law

Legal research

Court procedures

Rules of evidence

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Oral argument

Written briefs

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal research databases

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.CLASSIFICATION TITLE:Principal Trial LawyerSALARY:$103,071.78 - $133,314.73DEPARTMENT:Prosecuting AttorneyOpening Date:10/29/2026Closing Date:11/16/2026 12:00 a.m.FLSA STATUS: ExemptEMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary periodCURRENT 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 ExperienceJuris Doctorate from an accredited college or universityFive years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil lawExperience with misdemeanor jury trials and/or felony jury trialsPreferred Education and ExperienceExperience working within a prosecuting attorney’s officeExperience working on projects designed to increase efficiency in the office (such as information technology, development of training, etc)Required Licenses or CertificationsCurrent membership in good standing in the State Bar of MichiganPossession of a valid Michigan driver’s license operable automobile and insuranceCOMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:Knowledge of:Criminal and civil lawCriminal codeRules of procedure and rules of evidenceLegal terminology and court proceduresModern office procedures, methods and computer equipmentSkill in:OrganizationInterviewing techniquesInterpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationshipsPerforming a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different natureDirecting the work of othersProject ManagementAbility to:Perform legal researchAccurately argue both orally and in writingMeet schedules and deadlines of the workUnderstand and carry out oral and written directionsAccurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic filesMaintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundariesEffectively speak, write and understand the English languageEffectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferredUnderstand and carry out oral and/or written instructionsAccurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic filesMaintain the confidentiality of informationWork independentlyWORK 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/ContinuouslyWork EnvironmentOffice or similar indoor environment: F/COutdoor environment: N/SStreet environment (near moving traffic): N/SConstruction site: N/SConfined space: N/SExposuresIndividuals who are hostile or irate: F/CIndividuals with known violent backgrounds: F/CExtreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/SExtreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/SCommunicable diseases: N/SMoving mechanical parts: N/SFumes or airborne particles: N/SToxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/SLoud noises (85+ decibels): N/SBlood Borne Pathogens: N/SPHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.N/S =Never/Seldom O =Occasionally F/C = Frequently/ContinuouslyDemand :Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/SBending (forward or backward bending at the waist): N/SClimbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms:Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/SDigging: N/SDriving on sealed and unsealed roads: OGrasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: OKneeling to work at low levels: N/SManual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/CLift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below):Up to 34 pounds: OUp to 50 pounds: N/SPush/Pull objects away from or towards the body: N/SReaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): N/SSitting in a seated position during the task performance: OStanding in an upright position without movement: OWalking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: ORunning considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces : N/SGENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERSComplies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.The Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.GRANT OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED POSITION – This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided.