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 click here
CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Staff Attorney I
SALARY:
$80,536.93 - $104,167.78
DEPARTMENT:
Public Defenders Office
Opening Date:
10/23/2026
Closing Date:
11/07/2026 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:
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 Experience
Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university
Qualified as a class D attorney with the Macomb County System of Indigent Defense or eligible to be qualified
Preferred Education and Experience
Previous experience in civil or criminal law
Required Licenses or Certifications
Current membership in 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 and civil law
Criminal code
Rules of procedure and rules of evidence
Legal terminology and court procedures
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
Electronic conferencing
Microsoft Office
Skill in:
Organization
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:
Perform legal research
Accurately argue both orally and in writing
Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
Understand and carry out oral and written directions
Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
Understand and…