Chief Trial Lawyer

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:

Chief Trial Lawyer

SALARY:

$113,378.95 - $146,646.21

DEPARTMENT:

Public Defenders Office

Opening Date:

11/10/2025

Closing Date:

11/25/2025 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: At-will

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 of the Public Defender, manages, coordinates, and oversees the daily operations and activities of the Office of Public Defender. Coordinates activities of strategic planning, budget development, administration, and supervision of assigned employees. Represents indigent defendants in felony, high profile, or serious criminal defense cases.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Represents indigent clients in complex, and/or high profile, and/or serious criminal cases, including life offenses.

Develops and implements long and short-term strategic planning initiatives, including procedures required to comply with and measure compliance with indigent criminal defense standards.

Completes special projects and assignments necessary to department operations.

Assists others in determining needs, addressing issues, and administering department policies and procedures.

Collaboratively develops and implements department policies and procedures.

Conducts staff meetings, Roster Attorney file reviews and Public Defender attorney file reviews as assigned.

Manages and supervises daily department operations of the Office of Public Defender, including department technology and department website.

Assists in the preparation and administration of the department budget and grants. 

Reviews financial information, record management, and department practices, and makes recommendations for improvement.

Provides oversight and approval of external communication, news releases, press releases and other external communications before distribution in publicity cases.

Represents the Office of Public Defender at job-related meetings, as directed.

Assists with review of Expert and Investigator requests.

Assists with management of investigator and Social Worker resources, as assigned.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.  

Performs department related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited college or university is required

• Five (5) 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

• Previous supervisory experience

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Current membership in good standing in the State Bar of Michigan

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel

 COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Conducting electronic Legal Research

• Zoom and Webex conferencing

• Use of forms as part of department operations

• Budget and personnel policies and procedures

• Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products

• Modern office procedures and methods

• Manual and electronic Court filing, office file record keeping, and office record retention procedures

• Methods for obtaining and retention of electronic Discovery

• Database applications and report writing, data mining and collection for operational review

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with staff and the public

• Providing customer service to internal and external customers via phone, email and in person

• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature

• Organization and time management

• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments

• Operating personal computers with current versions of office efficiency software and applications

Ability to:

• Collaborate on matters of department Policy making

• Make decisions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations

• Work with diverse populations

• 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 carry out oral and/or written instructions

• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files

• Maintain the confidentiality of information

• Work independently

• Train, supervise, direct, and organize the work of others

• Learn new policies, practices and procedures

• Read and understand laws, rulings and other published guidance

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: O

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: O

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another:

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: F/C

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 these 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 a reasonable 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.