What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Attorney position at miOttawa.org?
Job Description
Under the direction of the Public Defender, the Chief Public Defender, and senior attorneys, serves to provide exceptional legal representation of indigent defendants charged with high and low severity felonies and misdemeanors. Primary function is to perform legal research and analysis for other attorneys in the Office of the Public Defender in a team-oriented office, by providing motions, briefs, and memos for use in trial court proceedings on behalf of Public Defender clients. Is also the primary attorney responsible on behalf of Public Defender clients for appeals from District Court to Circuit Court. From time to time, will also be assigned to provide legal counsel services for persons appearing before a Court for first appearance (“counsel at first appearance”).
Essential Job Functions
- Performs legal research and analysis for colleague attorneys to assist in advocating for the disposition of matters of Public Defender clients.
- Examines and drafts pleadings, briefs, case records and legal authorities on behalf of Public Defender clients.
- Writes memoranda, consults with colleagues assigned to Public Defender clients, recommends questions, and may otherwise assist colleagues in trial preparation, for use at oral argument or trial.
- Researches statutes, case law, matters of fact, administrative law decisions and other materials pertaining to the issue or case at hand; digests and analyzes information; prepares reports and recommendations for cases assigned to Public Defender clients.
- Confers with attorney colleagues to discuss legal research materials; prepares memoranda and gives presentations on current legal issues and current opinions from appellate courts; assists the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender in organizing and providing materials for education and training of attorney colleagues.
- Provides technical review of pending cases, as requested by colleague attorneys.
- Recommends and prepares jury instructions for trials in cooperation with or as requested by colleague attorneys. Assists colleague attorneys in preparing and requesting special jury instructions for Public Defender clients’ cases as needed.
- Primary attorney responsible for providing all needed legal research, document preparation, and oral argument for appeals of Public Defender clients’ cases from District Court to Circuit Court, including seeking relief, correction of mistakes, or bond on appeal at the District Court as appropriate.
- Completes special projects, assignments or other functions as directed.
- May perform other duties as assigned by the Public Defender or Chief Assistant Public Defender.
Required Education, Training and Experience
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. Active member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan.
- A desire to provide exceptional legal services to indigent persons is required.
- Excellent knowledge of legal research materials and techniques or methods of legal research; excellent legal writing and communication skills.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal law and procedure, particularly as related to the defense of clients, investigations, research, data analysis, report preparation techniques, and computer applications related to the work. Thorough familiarity with Michigan Criminal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Michigan Court Rules, and Michigan Evidence Rules.
- A willingness and ability to work within a team approach to all aspects of indigent defense.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Ability and willingness to interact positively and objectively with clients, other staff and supervisors, managers, employees, consultants, investigators and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds; including both verbal and written interactions.
- Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license.
Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including but not limited to visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a normal office environment and in the courtroom, with travel throughout the County and State.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice
Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Description
Under the direction of the Public Defender, the Chief Public Defender, and senior attorneys, serves to provide exceptional legal representation of indigent defendants charged with high and low severity felonies and misdemeanors. Primary function is to perform legal research and analysis for other attorneys in the Office of the Public Defender in a team-oriented office, by providing motions, briefs, and memos for use in trial court proceedings on behalf of Public Defender clients. Is also the primary attorney responsible on behalf of Public Defender clients for appeals from District Court to Circuit Court. From time to time, will also be assigned to provide legal counsel services for persons appearing before a Court for first appearance (“counsel at first appearance”).
Essential Job Functions
- Performs legal research and analysis for colleague attorneys to assist in advocating for the disposition of matters of Public Defender clients.
- Examines and drafts pleadings, briefs, case records and legal authorities on behalf of Public Defender clients.
- Writes memoranda, consults with colleagues assigned to Public Defender clients, recommends questions, and may otherwise assist colleagues in trial preparation, for use at oral argument or trial.
- Researches statutes, case law, matters of fact, administrative law decisions and other materials pertaining to the issue or case at hand; digests and analyzes information; prepares reports and recommendations for cases assigned to Public Defender clients.
- Confers with attorney colleagues to discuss legal research materials; prepares memoranda and gives presentations on current legal issues and current opinions from appellate courts; assists the Public Defender and Chief Assistant Public Defender in organizing and providing materials for education and training of attorney colleagues.
- Provides technical review of pending cases, as requested by colleague attorneys.
- Recommends and prepares jury instructions for trials in cooperation with or as requested by colleague attorneys. Assists colleague attorneys in preparing and requesting special jury instructions for Public Defender clients’ cases as needed.
- Primary attorney responsible for providing all needed legal research, document preparation, and oral argument for appeals of Public Defender clients’ cases from District Court to Circuit Court, including seeking relief, correction of mistakes, or bond on appeal at the District Court as appropriate.
- Completes special projects, assignments or other functions as directed.
- May perform other duties as assigned by the Public Defender or Chief Assistant Public Defender.
Required Education, Training and Experience
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. Active member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan.
- A desire to provide exceptional legal services to indigent persons is required.
- Excellent knowledge of legal research materials and techniques or methods of legal research; excellent legal writing and communication skills.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal law and procedure, particularly as related to the defense of clients, investigations, research, data analysis, report preparation techniques, and computer applications related to the work. Thorough familiarity with Michigan Criminal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Michigan Court Rules, and Michigan Evidence Rules.
- A willingness and ability to work within a team approach to all aspects of indigent defense.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Ability and willingness to interact positively and objectively with clients, other staff and supervisors, managers, employees, consultants, investigators and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds; including both verbal and written interactions.
- Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license.
Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including but not limited to visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a normal office environment and in the courtroom, with travel throughout the County and State.
Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice
Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Unclassified Benefits Summary for more information.
The current Unclassified group manual can be viewed here.
The Ottawa County Universal Wage Scale can be found here.
**Part-time benefitted positions will recieve prorated benefits.
