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.
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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 statues
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
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