Lead Attorney

Posting number: 202601091157JT2

Department: Non Departmental

Division: Project Clean Slate

Job classification: Supervising Assistant Corporation Counsel

Posting type: Open

Categories: Code Enforcement, Court Administration, Legal, Attorney

Summary

Under supervision of the Executive Director, the Lead Attorney supervises the legal team, including attorneys, law clerks and/or senior legal assistants handling expungement cases in courts across the state for City of Detroit residents.

Examples of duties

• Assign and distribute legal work to Staff Attorneys and external contract attorneys including hearing assignments, brief writing, and appellate briefs.  
• Respond to questions from attorneys and staff regarding legal issues, records, warrants, and expungement applications.     
• Review criminal records to determine expungement eligibility. 
• Identify statewide legal and process-related expungement issues and work to develop solutions, including liaising with judges, court administrators, and the State Court Administrator’s Office.           
• Brief writing.  
• Train new attorneys.  
• Recruit and provide training for pro bono attorneys and law school clinics.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Knowledge of criminal law, including courtroom experience.  
• Knowledge of Michigan expungement statutes.   
• Knowledge of appellate court procedures.  
• Skill in legal research, writing, and drafting.  
• Prior Supervisory Experience.  
• Skill in developing legal arguments and the application of legal principles.  
• Skill in oral and written communication.  
• Ability to problem solve and display resourcefulness and initiative in handling legal matters.  
• Ability to coordinate efforts among a large number of stakeholders throughout the state engaged in expungement litigation.  

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Special Requirements:  

• License to practice law in the State of Michigan.  
• Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.  

Qualifications

Qualifications (required):
• Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association approved institution.
• Eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law, including six (6) years of litigation or related experience, and two (2) years of experience in supervising the activities of a group of professionals engaged in a wide variety of legal work.

Qualifications (required):
• Experience in municipal corporation law.

Supplemental information

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit:   15 point

LRD: 1/8/2025