Assistant Public Defender

2026 Salary Range:

• $96,673.89 - $117,844.94 JOB SUMMARY: Provides indigent defense and legal services.
• Prepares, analyzes, presents, reports and communicates legal strategies, legal research and advices clients about legal matters.
• Appear at all levels of the trial court hearings, including arraignments, probable cause conferences, preliminary examinations, pre-trials, trials, sentencing, motions and other assigned hearings.

Employee Benefits:

• https://www.vanburencountymi.gov/846/Employee-Benefits ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS: Customer Focus Teamwork Employee Engagement Process Focus Financial Resources Goal/Results Oriented Communication Leadership & Influence Decision Making & Judgement Analysis & Problem Solving Excellent oral and written communications PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Ensures that legal strategies are customized for client’s needs and are well analyzed and effectively communicated to the clients.
• Prepare and present legal research and arguments to the courts ensuring sound arguments pursuant to law; Advises clients of their legal rights.
• Prepares and conducts investigations, properly interviewing clients, witnesses and every individual related to a law violation or crime.
• Determines deficiencies by using legal, scientific and technological knowledge.
• Ensures that the department is always updating technical and legal knowledge.
• Coordinates and implements leadership strategies based on functions, positions and performance.
• Effectively communicates with other departments of the organization to ensure that files are efficiently prepared and delivered on time on each scheduled court date.
• Analyzes, develops and maintains approaches in order to have an effective recruitment process for the new Holistic Defense Partner positions.
• Trains, develops, makes work assignments, supervises and evaluates intern/volunteer workforce.
• Litigates any legal issues that are necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial.
• Performs attorney functions as assigned Ensures that procedures and manuals are documented and updated as necessary.
• Performs other administrative functions & projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate from an accredited law school and member in good standing of the Michigan Bar Association or pending bar results.
• This position is open to all levels of experience.

Salary will be based on experience with an emphasis on experience in criminal cases. OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen.
• Applicant must complete County application form.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct Reports: None.

Delegation of Work:

• N/A Supervision Given: None.

Reports to:

• This position reports to the Deputy Chief Public Defender.

WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work Environment This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.
• Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to express oneself and exchange information both verbally and in writing.
• The employee is frequently required to move about the office environment; operate a computer and other office machinery; and move or transport files or other items to meetings and other office spaces.
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required.
• The ability to open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary is required.
• Travel Travel to Van Buren County buildings for job duties may be required.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Van Buren County.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Powered by JazzHR