Staff Attorney

Detroitjustice; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

95% employer-paid health coverage

2% retirement match

10 paid holidays

Generous PTO

Centrum days for rejuvenation

Job summary

Detroitjustice is looking for a full-time Staff Attorney in Detroit, Michigan to contribute to our Legal Services and Advocacy Practice. The role involves litigating civil liberties cases, advising clients on criminal law matters, and supporting movement lawyering efforts. Ideal candidates will have a J.D., be licensed in Michigan, and possess at least 4 years of litigation experience. The salary range is $85,000–90,000 with an array of benefits including health coverage and PTO. Applications review begins on May 4th.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Michigan and in good standing.
• Minimum of 4 years of litigation experience preferred.
• Experience with criminal defense or systemic reform preferred.

Responsibilities

• Litigate in state and federal courts for civil liberties.
• Advise and represent clients in criminal law matters.
• Support movement lawyering strategies.
• Maintain organized client records.

Skills

Litigation skills

Legal writing

Courtroom advocacy

Negotiation

Trust-building

Strong communication skills

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Detroit Justice Center (DJC) is seeking a bold Staff Attorney to join our Legal Services and Advocacy Practice (LSAP). We partner with communities to create economic opportunities, transform the justice system, and promote equity and justice. Many individuals face systemic barriers due to criminal records, legal debt, and court involvement. Our LSAP team works every day to remove these obstacles and open pathways to stability and freedom.

We are seeking a full-time Staff Attorney to help advance this mission. This is a hybrid role that balances remote work with a strong in-office presence to support collaboration and impact.

The anticipated start date for this position is June 1, 2026.

Position Overview

The Staff Attorney will help clients navigate and overcome legal barriers stemming from incarceration or court involvement. Through the work of our Legal Services & Advocacy Practice attorneys, DJC aims to increase access to housing, employment, family reunification, and financial stability for low-income Detroiters.

Key Responsibilities

• Researching, investigating, developing, and litigating in state and federal courts to protect civil liberties and civil rights in cases consistent with DJC’s strategic policy priorities. This includes conducting factual and legal research, preparing memoranda, writing demand letters, drafting pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery, arguing motions, trying cases, writing appellate briefs, presenting oral arguments on appeal, and writing amicus briefs.
• Advising and representing clients in legal matters, including Criminal law matters related to DJC’s systemic reform objectives (e.g., suspended driver’s licenses, criminal record expungement, excessive court fines)
• Support movement lawyering strategies that elevate client and community voices in broader campaigns.
• Maintain organized client records and support data collection for reporting and advocacy.
• Drafting amicus briefs in cases of constitutional significance.

Experience and Qualifications

• J.D. degree required.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Michigan and in good standing.
• Minimum of 4 years of litigation, or commensurate experience, preferably in litigation raising civil liberties and civil rights issues.
• Deep experience with criminal defense, public interest, community-based lawyering, or systemic reform efforts strongly preferred.
• Outstanding litigation skills, including case strategy development, legal writing, courtroom advocacy, and negotiation.
• Comfort operating across multiple areas of law (criminal, housing, family law).

Communication & Relationship Building

• Ability to build trust with diverse client communities and community partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Empathy, humility, and the ability to meet clients where they are.
• Brings creativity to legal strategies and problem-solving.

Inclusive Hiring Commitment

DJC is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented communities, including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those impacted by the criminal legal system, to apply. If your experience doesn’t match every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. Diverse perspectives are essential to advancing justice in our work.

To Apply

Submit your resume and cover letter through our careers website. A writing sample and references will be requested from candidates who move forward in the process. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning the week of May 4th. We will close the application window at 12 pm ET on Friday, May 28th.

To ensure an equitable and efficient hiring process, we are not able to respond to individual inquiries about this role. We also do not accept solicitations from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $85,000–90,000, commensurate with experience.

DJC operates a four-day workweek, prioritizing work-life balance and our team's well-being. In addition to a competitive base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including 95% employer-paid health coverage, a 2% retirement match, 10 paid holidays, generous PTO, and centering days dedicated to rest and rejuvenation.