Principal Attorney Public Defender

Overview & Benefits

Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents.

When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. Apply today and help shape the future of Oakland County, where we are All Ways Moving Forward.

For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit:

General Summary

$95,963 - $128,572
This position is on-site

Are you an experienced criminal defense attorney passionate about protecting clients’ rights and providing skilled, client-centered representation in the most serious felony cases? Join Oakland County’s Public Defender’s Office to advocate for individuals who cannot afford legal representation, handle complex cases, and share your expertise with fellow attorneys.

What You’ll Do
• Represent clients charged with Michigan’s highest-severity felonies, including homicides and other Category One offenses.
• Provide advanced, client-centered defense for individuals whose cases may involve mental illness, cognitive disabilities, and/or trauma.
• Independently manage complex, high-stakes cases with little to no guidance from management, delivering the highest level of criminal defense representation.
• Provide continuous representation from the onset of each client’s case through its conclusion.
• Mentor newer and less-experienced attorneys, offering guidance and sharing expertise in a non-supervisory capacity.
• Handle less-serious felony cases and assist with arraignments, probation violation hearings, and other coverage as needed.
• Use countywide and department-specific software to manage case information and complete assignments.

Why You’ll Love It Here
• Make a meaningful impact by protecting clients’ rights and ensuring access to skilled legal representation regardless of financial circumstances.
• Take on challenging cases that draw on your advanced legal knowledge, judgment, and advocacy skills.
• Build lasting client relationships by providing consistent support and representation throughout each case.
• Help fellow attorneys grow by sharing your experience and strengthening the office’s legal practice through mentorship.
• Contribute to an office committed to client-centered advocacy for people facing serious criminal charges.

Minimum Qualifications

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Under the Merit System Resolution, Section II, adopted November 8, 1966, employees in this class are excluded from the Merit System for the purpose of the manner of selection, appointment, removal from office or limitation of political activity.

This classification is not exempted from having to comply with the provisions of Merit System Rule 16 (Pre-employment Screening) detailing the required fingerprinting, furnishing of education and employment references, and the employment medical examination prior to the effective date of appointment.

NOTE: The Desirable Qualifications for this classification, when provided to the Human Resources Department, will be stated on a separate page. These Desirable Qualifications are not to be considered as definitive but are subject to revision by the Oakland County, County Executive.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Be licensed to practice law and maintain membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Have had at least five (5) years of experience as a practicing criminal law attorney (either prosecution or defense) and significant experience in complex criminal trial practice.

2. The ability to produce a list of all criminal trials conducted by the candidate, including the nature of the charge(s) and whether the candidate represented an indigent criminal defendant, a retained criminal defendant, or the People of the State of Michigan during the trial.

3. Significant knowledge of Michigan criminal law and procedure.

4. Experience with jury and bench trials.

5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

6. Demonstrated ability to exercise the appropriate techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the phone.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• Functions as a work leader over lower-level professional and clerical employees. Instructs, assigns, and reviews work. Participates in approving time off and other staff employment decisions. May supervise in the absence of the Chief and Deputy Chief.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Represents clients in the most serious cases that the Public Defender’s Office is appointed to, including homicides and other capital cases punishable by up to life in prison. Responsible for appearance in all necessary courts on behalf of indigent clients while providing the highest level of advocacy and legal representation. Prepares and files all necessary court filings, including motions and sentencing memoranda. Conducts preliminary examinations, jury trials, and bench trials when appropriate. Provides consistent communication with appointed clients to ensure that they are well informed about the status of their cases.
• Exercises independent judgment in providing legal representation to indigent clients, while complying with all rules of professional conduct regulating the practice of law in Michigan, and all applicable Michigan Indigent Defense Commission standards.
• Maintains ongoing communications with clients via phone, confidential jail messaging, office appointments and institutional visits.
• Performs expert-level review of facts and evidence presented by law enforcement agencies regarding charges of indigent clients. Has the ability to identify from the police reports and evidence if other possible charges may be filed as well.
• Appears in court to represent clients at all hearings of the case, from arraignment through the conclusion of the cases.
• Conducts substantive hearings for clients on complex cases, including but not limited to oral arguments, preliminary examinations, evidentiary hearings, competency hearings, Daubert hearings and bench and jury trials.
• Negotiates deals and resolutions with attorneys, judges, clients, and defendants.
• Composes motions, briefs, correspondence, and other legal documents.
• Conducts interviews with witnesses and law enforcement and visits crime scenes and other case-related locations.
• Discusses and presents legal analysis of legal issues to clients. Responsible for quickly identifying competency issues if clients seem unable to understand the proceedings or assist in their defense.
• Reviews evidence, conducts legal research, and analyzes legal issues on all cases.
• Responsible for keeping up to date on case law and legal precedent, both for the State of Michigan and federally.
• Works collaboratively and leads a team in defense of the most serious cases. Will be responsible for leading a team of paralegals, secretaries, investigators and social workers in defense of cases.
• Identifies when expert witnesses are needed on cases and retains the appropriate expert witnesses for each case. Regularly works with expert witnesses is expected and required.
• Travels to courts, jails, detention centers, correctional facilities and sometimes mental health facilities to meet with clients.
• Writes and files appropriate interlocutory appeals as needed and argues those cases before the Michigan Appellate Courts.
• Renders expert legal advice to other attorneys within the office.
• Utilizes social media to assist or investigate cases.
• Responsible for making clear and detailed records for a potential appeal in every case.
• Participates in professional development training both within and outside the office. May be asked to assist in training other attorneys.

WHEN ASSIGNED TO ATTORNEY REVIEW

• Uses the requirements of Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) Standard 7 to monitor and assess the quality of indigent defense representation being provided by all attorneys accepting indigent defense appointments in Oakland County, including attorneys employed in the Public Defender’s Office, to ensure that Oakland County remains in compliance with MIDC Standard 7.
• Uses the requirements of MIDC Standard 6 to monitor the caseload of all attorneys accepting indigent defense appointments in Oakland County, including attorneys employed in the Public
• Defender’s Office, to ensure that Oakland County remains in compliance with MIDC Standard 6.
• Prepares reports for the Chief Attorney of the Indigent Defense Services Office on all aspects of MIDC Standard 6 and 7 compliance.
• Acts as a liaison to other indigent defense system managers throughout South-East Michigan, and if authorized by an inter-local agreement, performs MIDC Standard 6 and 7 compliance functions for other indigent defense system managers in Oakland County.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties as assigned. Complies with all policies and standards.
• Utilizes current countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• A high level of communication skills to accurately convey information.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a typical office environment.
• May encounter situations where people could become confrontational.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The primary purpose of this job description is to set a fair and equitable salary range for this job classification. Generally, only those key duties necessary for proper job evaluation and/or labor market analysis have been included. Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

Union*

*If applicable

EEO Statement

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Inclusion Statement

Oakland County is committed to welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, including those with prior convictions, as we believe in providing equal opportunities for all. We value the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings to our team and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace. If you have the skills and qualifications for the position, we encourage you to apply. All candidates are evaluated based on their ability to meet the job requirements, legal obligations and thrive in our organization. All ways, MOVING FORWARD.