STAFF ATTORNEY

Michigan State Police; Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service department in Lansing, Michigan, seeks a staff attorney to represent it in administrative enforcement actions. The role requires drafting legal documents and engaging in settlement negotiations. Candidates must hold a Juris Doctorate and possess strong communication skills. This in-person position may allow for a hybrid work schedule after training.

Benefits

Competitive pay and benefits

Retirement, health, vision, and dental coverage

Qualifications

• Ability to produce high-quality legal memoranda, briefs, and pleadings.
• Experience in litigation and administrative law is preferred.
• Membership in good standing in the Michigan State Bar.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department in administrative enforcement proceedings.
• Draft Notices of Opportunity to Show Compliance and Administrative Complaints.
• Conduct informal conferences and settlement negotiations.
• Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, and orders.

Skills

Clear communication

Legal writing

Litigation experience

Analytical skills

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Job description

Overview

The Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is seeking an individual to work in public service as a staff attorney in the Office of General Counsel’s Enforcement Section. This position is an opportunity to build a lifelong career doing work that matters—helping to protect consumers and maintain public confidence in Michigan’s insurance and financial services industries.

The right candidate will represent DIFS in administrative enforcement actions against regulated individuals and entities. Responsibilities include drafting Notices of Opportunity to Show Compliance and Administrative Complaints, conducting informal conferences with Respondents, engaging in settlement negotiations, and representing DIFS at enforcement hearings before the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules. This candidate must be able to synthesize, analyze, and interpret the many diverse statutes governing the insurance and financial services industries and accordingly draft clear, concise, and effective legal memoranda, pleadings, orders, and settlement agreements.

For the specific position description, please note: Administrative Law Specialist 13-P15.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department in administrative enforcement proceedings, including negotiations with opposing counsel and appearances before Administrative Law Judges.
• Draft and file Notices of Opportunity to Show Compliance and Administrative Complaints; participate in informal conferences and settlement negotiations; represent DIFS at enforcement hearings.
• Draft clear, concise, and effective legal memoranda, pleadings, orders, and settlement agreements.
• Synthesize and interpret statutes governing the insurance and financial services industries to support enforcement actions.

Qualifications

• Jurist Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to produce high-quality written memoranda, briefs, and legal pleadings in a time-sensitive environment.
• Experience in litigation and administrative law is preferred; ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Membership in good standing in the Michigan State Bar.

Other job features

• Participation in webinars, conference calls, and employee development training.
• DIFS offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, health, vision, and dental coverage.

Note: The salary listed above is a range; final salary is determined by the selected candidate’s education and experience.

Work Location: This is an in-person position based in Lansing, Michigan, with the possibility for a hybrid schedule (up to three days per week) following a training period if approved.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, copy of official law school transcripts, and a legal writing sample. An official law school transcript must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed, and the Registrar's signature and/or seal. A scanned or electronic copy is acceptable, as long as it contains the listed elements. The college/university does not have to send transcripts directly to DIFS.

Failure to attach the requested documents may result in your application being screened out.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process, including responses to application questions and interview exercises. Any applicant suspected of using AI software may be screened out.

DIFS is a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly Employer, committed to recruiting, training, and retaining veterans and their spouses.

Education & Experience

Education: Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law.

Experience:

• Administrative Law Specialist 13 — No specific type or amount of experience required.
• Administrative Law Specialist 14 — One year of professional legal experience (in a role equivalent to Administrative Law Specialist 13 or Administrative Law Examiner 13, or as an attorney).
• Administrative Law Specialist P15 — Two years of professional legal experience, including one year equivalent to Administrative Law Specialist 14 or Administrative Law Examiner 14; or two years of experience as an attorney.

View the entire job specification at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/A/AdministrativeLawSpecialist.pdf