Principle Trial Lawyer

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 click
here
CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Principle Trial Lawyer
SALARY:
$107,194.65 - $138,647.32
DEPARTMENT:
Public Defenders Office
Opening Date:
08/28/2026
Closing Date:
09/12/2026 12:00 a.m.
FLSA Statu
s:
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 - 4:30pm.
GENERAL SUMMARY
Under direction, performs legal assignments involving highly complex and specialized cases
.
Represents indigent clients in misdemeanor and felony cases, including capital cases, First Chair responsibilities with second chair staff attorneys, supervises directs assigned staff, and assists with office operations. Performs legal research, writes briefs, and handles cases in court.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Attends and participates in arraignments, pre-trial conferences, pre-trial negotiations, court hearings, trials, and sentencings.
Assist with implementing The Office of Public Defender procedures related to arraignments, assignment of attorneys, Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) reporting needs, and other procedures.
Develops and maintains positive professional relationships with involved Courts, Court Staff, and jail personnel.
Represents indigent clients in a variety of felony cases, including a required volume of capital cases, from beginning stages through trial and sentencing or dismissal.
Conducts capital, other felony, and misdemeanor trials.
Determines c
ase strategy, develops theory of defense, determines
proper investigation, prepares and files legal appropriate pleadings
/motions/briefs, prepares and files appropriate interlocutory appeals, prepares and files
other legal documents.
Collaborates with a trial team,
while exercising considerable independent judgement.
Researches legal issues and advises office of new legal issues and procedures.
Assists with development and implementation of legal intern program.
Ensures compliance of office policies when engaging with media,
unusual and/or complicated cases.
Completes and/or assists with Staff Attorney case reviews and performance reviews.
Supervises and directs the activities of
assigned staff.
Maintains continuing legal education and training requirements for attorneys taking assigned criminal defense cases, and completes additional attorney training as directed.
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
Five years of experience in the practice of criminal and/or civil law
Qualified as a class A, 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 or other attorney's office where criminal defense cases are managed
Experience working on projects designed to increase efficiency in the office (such as information technology, development of training), and experience with procedures for obtaining experts/investigators
Experience with working collaboratively on criminal defense cases
Supervisory experience
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
Familiarity with Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) Standards and systems of Indigent Criminal Defense.
Skill in:
Organization
Management techniques
Interviewing techniques
Identifying issues in criminal defense cases
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
Directing the work of others
Project Management
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
Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
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
Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing):
F/C
Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another:
O
Up to 10 pounds:
O
11-24 pounds:
O
25-34 pounds:
O
35-50 pounds:
N/S
51-74 pounds:
N/S
75-99 pounds:
N/S
Over 100 pounds:
N/S
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.
The TPOAM - Public Defenders Association bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.