Public Defender Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Staff Attorney - Capital Trial 

Department: Criminal 

Location: Detroit 

Reports To: Supervisor TBD 

Position Type: Full-time 

Union Status: Union eligible 

FLSA Status: Exempt  

About NDS: 

Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is a national nonprofit public defense organization that pioneered the holistic defense model more than 30 years ago. Founded in Harlem, NDS was built to challenge the traditional public defense model by centering clients, communities, and interdisciplinary advocacy. Today, NDS operates community-based offices in Harlem; the Bronx; Detroit; and Hays County, Texas, supported by a unified national infrastructure that allows local teams to deliver high-quality, responsive representation rooted in the communities they serve. 

Across all locations, NDS provides client-centered legal representation through interdisciplinary teams composed of attorneys, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. Our approach emphasizes early and ongoing engagement with clients-before arrest where possible, throughout the life of a case, and beyond case resolution-while addressing the legal, social, and systemic challenges that impact long-term stability. NDS is committed to treating every client with dignity and respect and to advancing justice for individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized and over-policed. 

Core Purpose of the Role: The Capital Trial Staff Attorney demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities and an enthusiasm for holistic defense. The ideal Staff Attorney is an experienced felony trial attorney who demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities, preferably with experience in a public defender office, in a public interest organization, or in the indigent criminal defense context. The Staff Attorney will help shape our present and future-contributing to a collaborative environment and culture of excellence in alignment with our values. At NDS Detroit, how we represent our clients is as important as individual case outcomes and our ideal Staff Attorney approaches the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment. 

• Embrace NDS' philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence by providing vigorous representation with energy and enthusiasm to the residents of Wayne County. 

• Engage in frequent court appearances and litigation, including arraignments, preliminary conferences & examinations, legal arguments, hearings & trials, and sentencings.  

• Interview clients and their families in the office or local jails, conduct legal research and write pre-pleading letters, motions and pre-sentencing memoranda on behalf of clients. 

• Coordinate work performed by team members (investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators). 

• Work with cross-practice colleagues (immigration defense/civil defense/family defense) to obtain comprehensive legal outcomes for clients. 

• File motions, briefs and other related documents on a frequent, timely basis. 

• Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations, hearings, and trials in criminal cases. 

Required 

• A license to practice law in Michigan or in another state; and/or the capability of becoming licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan within six months. Attorneys admitted to the Michigan Bar with experience in the criminal courts of Wayne County (and Michigan generally) are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• A demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity and social justice issues and the Wayne County communities. 

• A minimum of three (3) years of legal experience and a license to practice law in Michigan. 

• Experience representing clients in criminal cases and knowledge of criminal procedure from arraignments to appeals is required. Candidates with trial experience, particularly as lead counsel in the most serious felony cases, is a must. 

• A track record of strategically guiding casework, projects and/or relationships; applying good and practiced judgment; and routinely pushing through roadblocks to achieve your goals. 

• Management skills and a coaching mindset. 

• An ability to quickly build relationships across varying identities, income levels, races and ethnicities. 

• A high level of organizational and administrative skills to handle a high caseload. 

• Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing. 

• Note: Please be advised that in this role, outside practice of law is prohibited. 

Preferred 

• Bi-lingual (Spanish or Arabic) attorneys are encouraged to apply. 

Compensation: 

Compensation is commensurate with experience. The current salary range for this position is $78,794.69 - $122,912.49. The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325.  

• Full medical and dental benefits 

• Retirement plan with company match up to 5% 

• Robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided 

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-confirming, and gender fluid people to apply.