Senior Associate General Counsel

City of Detroit; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is seeking a Senior Associate General Counsel to assist the Chief General Counsel with expert legal strategy, policy development, and high‑level litigation. The role requires strong research, writing, and independent judgment, and is not an entry level position.

The candidate will supervise outside counsel, support legislative processes, review and draft legal documents, and manage multiple priorities for DWSD at a high level of discretion.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited school is preferred.
• Currently licensed to practice law in Michigan with substantial litigation experience preferred.
• Experience with discovery, depositions, and complex litigation is required.

Responsibilities

• Act as a senior legal policymaker for the organization and support DWSD’s Board of Water Commissioners.
• Handle complicated litigation and dispute matters for DWSD, including state and federal matters.
• Provide training to junior staff and assist in drafting contracts, memoranda, and opinions.

Skills

Litigation management

Legal research

Michigan law

Confidential information handling

Microsoft Office

Education

Juris Doctor

Michigan bar admission (active)

Tools

WestLaw

Lexis Nexis

Job description

This is not a Civil Service Position. DWSD employees are subject to provisions of Court Orders entered in United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, Case No. 77-71100 with regard to certain terms and conditions of employment. DWSD does not honor reversion rights for internal candidates.

Applicants for open positions at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

SUMMARY

The Senior Associate General Counsel assists the Chief General Counsel and Chief Deputy General Counsel in providing expert legal strategy and advice on matters impacting the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD); prosecutes and defends complex and sophisticated legal actions including legal actions of first impression; trains and assists more junior colleagues; prepares, reviews, and interprets legal documents; develops and implements policies and procedures; organizes tasks and sets priorities that involve a high level of independent judgment, initiative and discretion. This position requires strong research, writing and litigation skills and experience. This is not an entry level position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Act as a senior legal policymaker for the organization. Provide legal support to the DWSD and its Board of Water Commissioners. Prepare, coordinate, represent and support DWSD’s representation in legislative and public processes and proceedings. Handle more complicated and sophisticated litigation and dispute matters for DWSD by preparing, prosecuting, coordinating, representing, litigating or assisting in the litigation of DWSD interests in administrative and court proceedings, and other disputes impacting the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan or federal jurisprudence. Supervise outside counsel as necessary in representing DWSD in matters as directed by General Counsel.. Research, draft, prepare, review and advise on legal documents including but not limited to forms, contracts, memoranda, opinions, client advisories, and correspondence.

Develop, coordinate, implement, and conduct legal strategy and negotiations in support of DWSD business objectives. Provide advice, counsel and support for business initiatives. Exercise management authority as delegated by the Chief General Counsel or the Chief Deputy General Counsel, as necessary to further the legal interests of the organization. Maintain current active membership in the State Bar of Michigan with knowledge of law and practice in relevant areas. Follow safety policies and procedures in carrying out duties. A valid Michigan Driver’s License is required. Create and provide training to less senior members of General Counsel staff and to DWSD organizationally as directed by the General Counsel.

Prepare, conduct, support, and participate in internal and external meetings. Handle or assist in the handling of administrative duties for the division including but not limited to file maintenance, data entry, personnel management, business processes and procedures, and other matters as assigned. Design, implement, and support the design and implementation of organizational initiatives and special projects. Manage and assist in managing vendor relationships including outside counsel.

Prepare, conduct, support or assist with the supporting of organizational training and training materials. Provide periodic reviews of processes and procedures and take action to ensure appropriate functionality. Perform related work duties as assigned.

RELATED JOB FUNCTIONS

Prepare, conduct, support, and participate in internal and external meetings. Handle or assist in the handling of administrative duties for the division including but not limited to file maintenance, data entry, personnel management, business processes and procedures, and other matters as assigned. Design, implement, and support the design and implementation of organizational initiatives and special projects. Manage and assist in managing vendor relationships including outside counsel.

Prepare, conduct, support or assist with the supporting of organizational training and training materials. Provide periodic reviews of processes and procedures and take action to ensure appropriate functionality. Perform related work duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Personal injury litigation and commercial/contract litigation
• WestLaw and/or Lexis Nexis legal research systems
• Major principles, practices, methods, and techniques of Michigan law and legal practice, including the Michigan Court Rules, the Michigan Rules of Evidence and the Michigan Rules of Professional Responsibility.
• Proper handling and dissemination of confidential information
• Microsoft Office

SKILL TO

• Effectively, efficiently and independently handle and manage cases from start to finish
• Conduct thorough independent and original research using sound analysis to provide appropriate recommendations to resolve specific issues
• Formulate reasonable and effective conclusions
• Protect and represent the organization’s values and confidences
• Act as a proactive trusted advisor and leader
• Utilize legal software programs
• Use advanced technology
• Contribute to leadership planning

ABILITY TO

• Identify legal issues and research relevant legal and business issues
• Independently conduct discovery and take ownership of assigned cases
• Write effectively, persuasively and with appropriate legal style and citation
• Apply legal principles to address operational issues and concerns
• Work independently with minimal guidance and supervision
• Research and respond to inquiries regarding law, policies, procedures, and programs.
• Make judgments and decisions that are guided by applicable law, policies, procedures, and high personal standards of ethics and integrity
• Act independently and know when to refer situations to the General Counsel, other DWSD Divisions, or external agencies
• Interpret, explain, and apply pertinent City, state, and federal laws and regulations, ordinances, policies and procedures
• Draft, understand and apply contract terms and provisions
• Understand, interpret, and apply rules, standards, or procedures and persuade others to accept or adopt recommendations
• Conduct thorough investigations, determine methodologies, and obtain basic data necessary to evaluate solutions to complex problems and issues with multiple variables
• Promote and maintain the highest personal and professional integrity and comply with applicable professional ethics, rules and regulations
• Understand, apply, and/or adapt complex/conflicting oral or written regulations or guidelines to diverse and dissimilar situations
• Effectively utilize appropriate safety equipment and procedures
• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Communicate frequently with team members and other units across the Department about process, equipment or potential problems
• Develop proficiency in unit specific operations and software
• Direct team activities or to work as a team member

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (position requirements at entry)

• Juris Doctor’s degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association preferred
• Currently actively licensed to practice law within the State of Michigan with more than five (5) years of litigation experience preferred, including extensive experience in conducting all phases of discovery as well as lay and expert depositions

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This position requires sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time, light to moderate lifting, reaching, pulling, and carrying. Manual dexterity and audiovisual/linguistic acuity is also required.

Environmental Working Requirements

Work is performed in an office, plant or field environment with exposure to computer screens, working in team offices and closely with all staffing levels.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan
• Valid Michigan Driver’s License
• Ability to work irregular hours, to commute to DWSD facilities and work sites, and respond to after hour emergencies and on-call responses

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job‑related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. Employees in this class are required to undergo alcohol and drug screening and are subject to a criminal background investigation.