What are the responsibilities and job description for the Entry-Level Staff Attorney - NDS Detroit position at Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem?
Overview :
THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE is building a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office in Wayne County and we invite you to join our team as we represent our clients with excellence. Building on 30 years of experience of providing high quality representation, we are expanding our efforts to bring the same caliber of representation to the communities of Wayne County. We are seeking entry-level attorneys, to include new attorneys and third-year law students. We are looking for highly organized, self-driven, and resilient individuals dedicated to our mission.
The Criminal Defense Practice at NDS Detroit will represent residents of Wayne County who are charged with felony crimes and cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes. NDS is committed to addressing the comprehensive legal and social service needs of clients while treating each client with dignity and respect.
An Entry-Level Staff Attorney demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities and an enthusiasm for holistic defense. The ideal Entry-Level Staff Attorney is someone who demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities, preferably with a demonstrated commitment to public defense, or demonstrated experience serving marginalized communities in a social justice organization. At NDS Detroit, how we represent our clients is as important as individual case outcomes and our attorneys approach the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment.
Responsibilities :
- 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 examinations, evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, 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.
- Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations, hearings, and trials in criminal cases.
- Work primarily at NDS main office when not in Court.
Qualifications :
The ideal candidate will bring :
Compensation : Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as retirement plan with matching contributions, robust time-off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided.
The salary starts at $77,249.70
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.
How to Apply :
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample with their application as one document, preferably PDF.
For more information about NDS, please visit our website at http : / / www.ndsdetroit.org
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.
Min : USD $77,249.70 / Yr.
Max : USD $77,249.70 / Yr.
Salary : $77,250
