Staff Attorney I

Macomb-County-Government; Michigan; On-site; USD 81,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

No premium for employee

Job summary

Macomb County Public Defenders Office seeks a Staff Attorney to provide legal services for indigent defendants in criminal matters. The attorney represents clients at arraignments, trials, and post-trial matters, ensuring compliance with MIDC standards.

The role requires a Juris Doctorate and active Michigan Bar membership, with a full-time schedule (37.5 hours/week) and a starting time of 8:00 am. Competitive salary is offered.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.
• Current membership in the State Bar of Michigan.

Responsibilities

• Represents indigent defendants in trial-related proceedings, including arraignments and trials.
• Maintains communication with courts, clients, witnesses, experts, and investigators.
• Performs legal research, files motions and briefs, and prepares for proceedings.
• Negotiates pleas/dispositions consistent with constitutional and MIDC standards.
• Maintains case files, tracks progress, and assists appellate counsel.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Organization

Education

Juris Doctorate

State Bar of Michigan

Tools

Microsoft Office

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:Staff Attorney ISALARY:$80,536.93 - $104,167.78DEPARTMENT:Public Defenders OfficeOpening Date:10/23/2026Closing Date:11/07/2026 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 8:00am.GENERAL SUMMARY:Provides legal services on behalf of indigent defendants in criminal matters. Represents indigent defendants at arraignments and in assigned cases through trial. Assists with Macomb County’s system for court appointed counsel for indigent defendants, ensuring compliance with Constitutional and Michigan Indigent Defense Counsel (MIDC) standards.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Represents indigent defendants in trial related proceedings, probation violations, and extradition hearings.Maintains communication with courts, court staff, clients, witnesses, experts, and investigators.Maintains office schedules, and coordinating meetings with clients, investigators, and experts.Represents indigent clients through jury trial. Activities include: arraignments, legal research, filing motions and briefs, conducting preliminary examinations, meeting with investigators/experts, case preparation, preparing/ selecting juries, preparing/conducting voir dire, opening/closing statements, filing interlocutory appeals, appropriate post-trial motions.Negotiates pleas/dispositions with prosecuting attorneys, consistent with the constitution, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, statutes, and client choices.Assists with administration/review of Roster Attorney requests for investigators and experts.Assists with tracking and providing Continuing Legal Education for Roster Attorneys, and assists with maintaining lists of qualified Investigators/Experts, brief banks, and transcripts banks.Updates case files, maintenance of files, tracking case progress, preserving case exhibits, and assisting appellate counsel with appeals.Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.Performs related duties as assigned.QUALIFICATIONS:Required Education and ExperienceJuris Doctorate from an accredited college or universityQualified as a class D attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualifiedPreferred Education and ExperiencePrevious experience in civil or criminal lawRequired Licenses or CertificationsCurrent membership 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 equipmentElectronic conferencingMicrosoft OfficeSkill 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 natureAbility 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 boundariesWork in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity CampaignEffectively 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: N/SCrawling (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: 0Over 34 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 TPOAM - Public Defenders Association 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.