Staff Attorney II

Macomb County Government; Michigan; On-site; USD 97,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Benefits from day one

Job summary

Macomb County Government seeks a Staff Attorney II in the Public Defenders Office to manage a caseload of felony and misdemeanor cases, representing indigent clients through trial and appeal. This role emphasizes thorough case analysis, pre-trial work, and collaboration with prosecutors and investigators.

Requirements include a Juris Doctorate, Michigan bar admission, and at least three years in criminal law; full-time with standard hours and day-one health, dental, and vision benefits.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of experience in the practice of criminal law.
• Qualified as a class B, and C attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualified.

Responsibilities

• Represents clients in felony and misdemeanor cases from beginning stages through trial.
• Conducts pre-trials, reviews evidence, negotiates settlements, conducts investigations, meets with experts, conducts preliminary examinations, conducts jury trials, and prepares interlocutory appeals.
• Prepares court documents and related case documents including motions, briefs, sentencing memoranda, deviation requests, witness lists, notices, jury instructions, interlocutory appeals, motions in limine, power point presentations, and other trial related matters.
• Conducts electronic legal research.
• Communicates with clients, prosecutors, investigators, experts, community corrections, judges, and others in connection with indigent clients.
• Analyzes and organizes case issues and case files.

Skills

Organization

Legal research

Interpersonal skills

Courtroom communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

State Bar of Michigan admission

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

To learn more about Macomb County benefits click here

Staff Attorney II

Salary

$97,449.67 - $126,043.03

Department

Public Defenders Office

Opening Date

10/30/2026

Closing Date

11/18/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP

Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME

Full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is 8:00am.

General Summary

Under direction, maintains a caseload of high and low severity felony and misdemeanor cases. Meets all constitutional and legislative requirements as they pertain to the representation of indigent and partially indigent adult criminal offenders.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Represents clients in felony and misdemeanor cases from beginning stages through trial.

Conducts pre-trials, reviews evidence, negotiates settlements, conducts investigations, meets with experts, conducts preliminary examinations, conducts jury trials, and prepares interlocutory appeals.

Prepares court documents and related case documents including motions, briefs, sentencing memoranda, deviation requests, witness lists, notices, jury instructions, interlocutory appeals, motions in limine, power point presentations, and other trial related matters, in connection with representation of clients in indigent criminal cases.

Conducts electronic legal research.

Communicates with clients, prosecutors, investigators, experts, community corrections, judges, and others in connection with the representation of indigent clients in criminal cases.

Analyzes and organizes case issues and case files.

Adept at organization of case files, tracking of time on case activities, and recording activities in case management system.

Ensures compliance with Michigan Indigent Defense Counsel (MIDC) requirements, including, gathering information for MIDC reports, budgets, reviewing applications for investigators and experts, and management of attorney roster.

Participates in required Continued Legal Education training.

Assists with training of other attorneys and staff.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Perform duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university
• Three (3) years of experience in the practice of criminal law
• Qualified as a class B, and C attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualified

Preferred Education And Experience

• Experience working within a public defender’s office
• Experience working in a multiple attorney law firm

Required Licenses Or Certifications

• A current membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license, operable automobile, and insurance

Knowledge Of

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

• Criminal law and statutes
• Criminal code
• Rules of procedure and Michigan Rules of Evidence
• Legal terminology and local court procedures
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Electronic conferencing
• Microsoft Office

Skill In

• Organization
• Effective communications in court proceedings
• Interviewing techniques
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature

Ability To

• Collaborate on case strategy
• Competently conduct felony jury trials
• Perform legal research, including electronic research
• Accurately argue both orally and in writing
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Conduct virtual meetings with courts and others
• Keep up with technological advancements that enhance trial practice
• Effectively use technology for discovery, motion practice, and when conducting trial
• Follow Macomb County Office of Public Defender’s code of conduct
• Work with others in team approach to client defense
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Work independently

Work 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/Continuously

Work Environment

• Office or similar indoor environment: F/C
• Outdoor environment: N/S
• Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S
• Construction site: N/S
• Confined space: N/S

Exposures

• Individuals who are hostile or irate: F/C
• Individuals with known violent backgrounds: F/C
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S
• Communicable diseases: N/S
• Moving mechanical parts: N/S
• Fumes or airborne particles: N/S
• Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S
• Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S
• Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The 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/Continuously

Demand

• Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S
• Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): N/S
• Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S
• Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S
• Digging: N/S
• Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O
• Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O
• Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S
• Leg/Foot movement to operate machinery: N/S
• Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C
• Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another up to 34 pounds: O
• Push / Pull objects away from or towards the body: N/S
• Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): N/S
• Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: O
• Standing in an upright position without movement: O
• Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O
• Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

General Requirements And Disclaimers

Complies 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 Technical, Professional, and Officeworkers Association of Michigan (TPOAM) - Public Defender’s 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.