Senior Assistant Public Defender

General Summary
Under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender, the Senior Assistant Public Defender serves as attorney for indigent clients throughout Marquette County and as an advocate for indigent defense. The Assistant Public Defender performs legal research using electronic and on line tools, handles cases in District and Circuit Court, and provides representation of individuals on the arraignment docket. This position may handle other cases as directed by the Chief Public Defender. The Assistant Public Defender shall advocate in the best interest for clients while providing quality legal representation for defendants without means to retain legal counsel, after being charged with criminal or civil violations. They shall serve as a case-review team leader and mentor for other Assistant Public Defenders.

Essential Functions
1. Provides legal representation to the clients appointed to the office as determined by the Chief Public Defender.
2. Handles all types of felonies in District and Circuit Court and the specialty courts with a focus on high-level felonies.
3. Promptly meets with clients to understand goals and expectations.
4. Analyzes charging instrument and discovery as furnished by the prosecution.
5. Conducts online investigations and arranges for follow up investigation as necessary.
6. Able to handle all aspects of the clients matter through negotiations, plea, or trial.
7. Maintains appropriate client contact throughout the entire process.
8. Maintains relevance on current developments in the law through external and internal trainings and independent study of case law.
9. Ensures that files being handled are kept current as to status so that other members of the office can determine that status.
10. Ability to perform legal research using electronic and online tools.
11. Passionate about advocating for the needs and interests of the client.
12. Maintains availability for mentoring and consultation as directed by the Chief Public Defender.
13. Serves as a team leader and mentor for other Assistant Public Defender in case review.
14. Serves as co-counsel on trials by other staff attorneys.
15. Directs or drafts any necessary motions, briefs, and orders.
16. Helps teach training sessions for other Marquette County attorneys as to the law, trial techniques, evidence, etc.
17. Reviews pleadings and court filings drafted by the Public Defender’s Office with a high level of scrutiny for proper grammar, style, and relevance.
18. Helps to create policies and procedures for Public Defender office interaction with the Courts and the Prosecution.
19. Assists in drafting templates and forms for use by the Public Defender’s office.

Additional Functions
20. Must adhere to legal and departmental standards in regard to privacy and confidentiality.
21. Must adhere to all other County policies and procedures.
22. Drafts informational blog posts for the departmental website.
23. Performs other duties as assigned.

Employment Qualifications

Education: Juris Doctor degree with a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan as evidence of continued good professional standing and authority to practice law through the state.

Experience: Minimum of three years of progressively more responsible roles in the practice of Criminal
Law. Significant jury trial experience desired.