PRINCIPAL 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:

PRINCIPAL TRIAL LAWYER

SALARY:

$107,194.65 - $138,647.32

DEPARTMENT:

Public Defenders Office

Opening Date:

01/16/2026

Closing Date:

02/02/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Relationship: At-will

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 case 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. 

The TPOAM - Public Defenders Association (attorneys) bargaining unit represents this position.  Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.

GRANT OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED POSITION –This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided.