Staff Attorney II

Macomb County; United States; On-site; USD 97,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits from day one

No monthly premiums for employee

Generous benefit package

Job summary

Macomb County Public Defender's Office is seeking a Staff Attorney II to manage high and low severity felony and misdemeanor cases, upholding constitutional rights for indigent clients.

The attorney will handle pre-trials, investigations, trials, and appeals, and must hold a Juris Doctorate with 3 years of criminal law experience. Eligibility for MIDC and Michigan bar membership is required.

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.
• Experience working within a public defender’s office (preferred).
• Experience working in a multiple attorney law firm (preferred).
• Current membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan; valid Michigan driver's license and insurance.

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, and other trial related matters.
• 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.
• Ensures compliance with MIDC requirements, including MIDC reports and budgets.
• Participates in required Continuing Legal Education training.

Skills

Criminal law

Criminal procedure

Legal research

Court appearances

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Case management system

Microsoft Office

Electronic legal research tools

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. To learn more about Macomb County benefits

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: 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

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:

• Knowledge of: 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.

• 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:

• 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.

GRANT OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED POSITION –

This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided. Macomb County is Michigan’s third most populated county, boasting a population of more than 865,000 residents and growing. From the densely-populated southern cities to the rural northern villages, Macomb County possesses a wealth of assets that make it a desirable place to live, work and play! As the county gains in population and cultural diversity increases, initiatives such as the dignity campaign enables us to cultivate a community that embraces all people and celebrates their unique contributions. Through collaborative community-based activities, Macomb County is promoting multiculturalism and inclusiveness.